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Dive Review of Beqa Lagoon(Marlin Bay) in
Fiji and Tuvalu/Beqa Lagoon

Beqa Lagoon(Marlin Bay), May, 2010,

by TERRY L. FLYNN, MO, US (Reviewer Reviewer 3 reports with 1 Helpful vote). Report 5516.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 5 stars Food 5 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling 3 stars
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments Overall it was an excellent trip. The people of Fiji are the friendliest I've encountered. Cries of "Bula" echoed everywhere. Even during the 2 1/2 hour bus ride from the airport we encountered local people waving and greeting us with "Bula". The hour liong boat ride was a little rough. Most had to stand under the covered area to keep dry (It poured down rain all the way over). We had to transfer to small boats for the final 200 yards and the wade through ankle deep water to get ashore. It sounds much worse than it is. I was the trip leader for 24 other diverws and 4 non-divers and no-one complained. I heard very few complaints the whole week we were there. We were met and welcomed on the beach by the resort staff. The resort and dive staff went extra lengths to accomodate, always with a smile. Gear was placed outside of our rooms and taken to the boats by the staff. It was rinsed and placed in the gear locker after the boat dives each day by the staff. All we had to take to the boat each day was our wetsuit and cameras. On arrival our luggage was picked up at the airport and transported to our rooms, picked up at the end of the trip and transported to the airport. The food was also very good. Meals were served restaurant style, not on a buffet. Trips to local villages and local entertainment each evening was very good. Diving was also very good. I expected more color on the reefs but the tropical fish were prolific. Lots of opportunities for the UWP. Mild current on most dives depending on your orientation on the reefs, but managable for everyone including new divers. The captains knowledge of the area enabled us to dive in relative calm areas throughout the lagoon.Boats were roomy and well run and the dive staff was great at finding small critters. Our group was split into two groups with 12 or 13 divers on each boat. Non-divers were allowed to accompany the boat and snorkel at each site. Depths and dive times were checked and recorded after each dive. This also ensured that everyone was back aboard. Each diver had the opportunity to go in a group or explore as a buddy team. Despite the long trip, 10 hours from Los Angeles, 2 1/2 hours on a bus, an hour long boat ride and wading ashore (there are no docks), I would repeat the trip in the future. To my new friends in Fiji--Bula!
Websites Beqa Lagoon(Marlin Bay)   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving East coast of U.S., Carribean, and Pacific
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather cloudy Seas choppy
Water Temp 75-80°F / 24-27°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 45-75 Ft/ 14-23 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Depths and Times were checked amd recorded after each dive. Could go as a group or in pairs
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? no

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas None
Dolphins Schools Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 3 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish 3 stars
Large Pelagics 3 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities 3 stars
UW Photo Comments 2 Rinse tanks were provided on the boats. Shore rinse tanks were minimal, at best. Removed cameras to room after each dive.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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