artBeqaLagoon
4/5/07
3:31 PM
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: Alan Wiggs
Diving with the firewalkers Beqa Lagoon Resort has long enjoyed an enviable reputation for great diving and fine food and was voted “World’s Best Dive Resort” in 2002 by the readers of Rodale’s Scuba Diving. After our visit last June, we can only agree with that lofty assessment. I was lucky enough to lead a group of 47 Peninsula School students, families and friends to this superb island getaway situated off the south coast of Viti Levu, Fiji’s main island. Access couldn’t really be easier; from Nadi airport, a 2 hour coach trip weaves along the coral coast past Sigatoka, providing glimpses of the sea gently fizzing against the barrier reef. Near Pacific Harbour we boarded one of the huge resort dive boats and journeyed south to Beqa (pronounced “Bengar”) - a scenic 40 minute trip across choppy seas reflecting a slate grey sky. We arrived with high expectations – first impressions were favourable as we crossed the palm-fringed beach to the main dining room, admiring the views across the lagoon to Yanuca Island. Surrounding us was emerald green pristine rainforest – tropical parrots screeched overhead weaving through the coconut palms. We quickly settled into our superb bures on the beach and were soon breaking out the gear, anxious to try a shore dive.
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One superb day we headed out to an offshore seamount a location never before dived. Here we found forests of elephantine gorgonian fans 3-4 metres wide at 40 metres depth. In stunning 50 metre visibility it was hard to appreciate the size of these intricate coral trees. They are huge!
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Our dive equipment was dutifully collected by the resort staff and hung up down at the dive shop – it was simply a case of, grab a full tank, waddle down the beach and blow some bubbles. Water temperature was 27°C (in midwinter no less!) and visibility was reasonable at 12 – 15 metres, though nothing compared to the deep blue of the outer reef. The shore diving at BLR is very good, with large colonies of Clown Fish; a healthy reef slope with several Butterflyfish and Angelfish species and the occasional Trevally and Long Tom. The reef terraces off into 15 metres or so and I spent most afternoons treating novices to introductory dives down the reef wall.
Fiji is well respected for its fine soft corals and “Circus Circus” exceeds even the superb colours of the Bligh Waters at Raki Raki or the brilliance of Naigani – this dive was a religious experience (and I’m not even religious!)
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