I will be traveling in Sept, for our honeymoon to Fiji. I read many good reviews about how great the diving is there. Please give me some feedback. Also does anyone of you know if they use 120 voltages or universal electrical outlets?
Scubagolf
October 15th, 2009, 06:18 PM
Yudi, I suggest you go to the Pacific Island sub-thread. You might also check out Tripadvisor.com for a number of good reviews on Beqa Lagoon Resort. I am leaving for the airport in one hour for the flight to Fiji and BLR Oct 15 - 24. :D:D
Papa_Bear
October 15th, 2009, 09:09 PM
220 volt power at 50 cycles! Most chargers will work directly as long you have the Plug adapter! Looks like this / \ two pole slanted plug! You can find a lot of info at our web site as well as videos! It is one of my favorite places on earth! Very romantic!
I was in Beqa in Sept this year. I wrote a detailed trip report if you are interested
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/pacific-islands/306293-beqa-fiji-sept-2009-trip-report.html
The electrical voltage is 220-240V and the socket type is Australian AS-3112 like this:
http://www.made-in-china.com/image/2f0j00DMjtbYkWYaVBM/Australian-Style-Switch-Socket-C215-.jpg
You will need (if not the same as what you have back at home):
from here: Fiji Electrical Outlet info (http://www.adaptelec.com/index.php?main_page=document_general_info&products_id=239)
hammerhead man
October 29th, 2009, 02:40 PM
We went to Beqa Lagoon Resort in 2007 and it was fantastic. We are heading back in Jul 2010 with our local dive shop. If you have already booked your trip, you will not be disappointed unless you are the type of person that wants a lot of activities. There isn't much to do at the resort. However, they do conduct cultural activities in the afternoon (visit to the local school, fire walkers, visit to one of the local villiages, fiji cooking, etc). If you click on the photos link in the left panel you will see some of my pics from my trip to the resort. I would also recommend the shark dives. It is the only shark dive where you will see up to 8 different kinds of sharks (including the possibility of a visit from a tiger shark). Send me a message if you want more info.
Regards,
Bill
hammerhead man
October 29th, 2009, 03:28 PM
Saspotato, read your trip report and viewed your pictures. Well done!!!!! The pictures were excellent!! I noticed that you mentioned that Wiggsy provided you with info about Fiji. Were you part of his group? I met him at BLR when we went in 2007. He is a great guy and I enjoyed meeting everyone in his group.
Regards,
Bill
Scubagolf
November 3rd, 2009, 09:39 PM
We just returned from a week at BLR, Oct 15 - 24, 2009. The outlets are 220 in the bures. This is a very nice resort with a great staff. The diving is very good and the food better than OK, but certainly not spectacular. NOAA has a surface sea temperature station in the lagoon that tracks the water temp on a daily basis. Here is the link:
NOAA Coral Reef Watch Time Series Graphs (http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/satellite/current/sst_series_fijibeqa_cur.html)
As you will see, you get the current day-to-day water temps on a graph, and the historical data going back a number of years. This year the water temps have been colder than usual. It was pretty much 76 degrees at depth +/- 1 degree the entire week we were there. You can look at the days you plan on going back over the past years and plan your exposure protection accordingly. I dove a 3mm full with a hooded vest and got cold towards the end of the week. But that's me. I will say that just about everybody was a bit surprised at the water temp.
lovescubadiving
November 26th, 2009, 04:59 PM
Some great information on diving and video on shark feeding. Great place to try the shark feed diving.
We went to Beqa Lagoon Resort in 2007 and it was fantastic. We are heading back in Jul 2010 with our local dive shop. If you have already booked your trip, you will not be disappointed unless you are the type of person that wants a lot of activities. There isn't much to do at the resort. However, they do conduct cultural activities in the afternoon (visit to the local school, fire walkers, visit to one of the local villiages, fiji cooking, etc). If you click on the photos link in the left panel you will see some of my pics from my trip to the resort. I would also recommend the shark dives. It is the only shark dive where you will see up to 8 different kinds of sharks (including the possibility of a visit from a tiger shark). Send me a message if you want more info.
Regards,
Bill
We're heading to Beqa with our dive shop as well in July 2010. When will you be there??
kpickerell
February 1st, 2010, 01:23 PM
Love Beqa Lagoon Resort! Went in '07 and am going again this year Sept. 11. The diving is phenomenal, and the people are even better. Don't miss doing the shark dive.!
hammerhead man
February 1st, 2010, 04:39 PM
Dive Maden, looking forward to seeing yoou at BLR in Jul.
Regards,
Bill
seattitude
February 24th, 2010, 02:59 AM
We are leaving for Fiji on the 25th - just 2 days from now. We will spend a week on Island Dancer II then a week at Beqa Lagoon Resort then 5 days at Paradise Taveuni. I think I'm going to diving heaven. My biggest dilemma is weather to take my 3 mil or my 5 mil. If the water temp goes below 80 I wimp out and need my 5 mil. From an earlier post and checking out the Coral Reef Watch it looks like it could be around 82 - sure hope so. Life is rough when you are a diver.:D
Sas
February 24th, 2010, 03:36 AM
Take 5mm! Unless you tolerate cold well. I wore 3mm but I had been diving locally where it was 10C before the trip. Everyone but me was cold in 3mm. Was 24-25C when I dived though, might be warmer now but it can be windy during the surface interval.
Calinectes
March 1st, 2010, 10:40 AM
My LDS is going to be there June24-Jul.3. I looks like cool (78-81 deg.F) water. I'd love any feedback from anyone who's been there in that time frame. I'm beginning to think 5mm might be the way to go?
diver 85
March 1st, 2010, 11:19 AM
Love Beqa Lagoon Resort! Went in '07 and am going again this year Sept. 11. The diving is phenomenal, and the people are even better. Don't miss doing the shark dive.!
are you really..lol.....will meet you in LAX on the the 9th, hopefully.....(Joe & Betsy)....
hammerhead man
March 1st, 2010, 11:43 AM
We will be there Jul 13-25. We went in Jul 2007 and I dove with a 3mm with no problems. I took a 3/6 mm hooded vest as well but never used it. That said, each person is different and you may need a 5 mm or a 3 mm with a hooded vest.
Regards,
Bill
diver 85
March 1st, 2010, 11:25 PM
Yudi--we're heading there the 11th thru the 18th----when are your dates??......
yudi
March 8th, 2010, 07:39 AM
Hi diver. We will be there from the
5 to the 12 ;)
kpickerell
March 15th, 2010, 04:51 PM
Then look for Kathy, Joe and Betsy on the 11th and say hello. We'll be in the bar, I'm sure.
WhaleSharker1
March 18th, 2010, 02:34 PM
would like to know if you have been there in January we are planning to go Jan 20 of next year and want to know weather and diving Thanks
WhaleSharker1
March 18th, 2010, 02:35 PM
would like to know what your opinion will be on Beqa Lagoon resort am going in Jan of 2011
Sas
March 18th, 2010, 05:36 PM
would like to know what your opinion will be on Beqa Lagoon resort am going in Jan of 2011
Here is a trip report I did: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/pacific-islands/306293-beqa-fiji-sept-2009-trip-report.html
bob@scubadiveasia.com
March 21st, 2010, 06:25 AM
Beqa lagoon is fantastic! Loads and loads of big fish encounters!
Do not hesitate to contact us for further information.
Barron Baracuda
March 23rd, 2010, 05:57 PM
we are going in Jan. 20th 2011 have you been there at that time?
seattitude
March 29th, 2010, 01:44 AM
We were there a couple of weeks ago - just before Cyclone Tomas. It is a very nice resort. We loved the ocean front bures. The dipping pool in front of our bure was wonderful. It was very hot and humid so it was a treat to sit in the cool dipping pool with a beer, a book and the ocean for a background. We did the shark dive and had the great luck to see 2 Tiger Sharks - Scarface and Princess. We were very pleased with our DM - Missy (not sure if that is spelled right) He is also in charge of the Fire Walkers - not to be missed. If anyone is going and has an extra dive computer or watch - he could use one. I don't think the DM's make enough money to be able to afford good equipment. He doesn't own a good underwater flashlight either. The one thing I think they could improve on is their rinse tanks - especially for camera gear.
BRS
August 16th, 2010, 04:22 PM
We'll leave for BLR this Saturday, 21 Aug. Anyone else?
hammerhead man
August 16th, 2010, 04:26 PM
We just returned from BLR about 3 weeks ago. You will have a great time. I will post pics when I am finished editing them.
Regards,
Bill
WhaleSharker1
August 24th, 2010, 03:24 PM
hammerhead man looking forward to the pictures let me know when they are on.....
Thanks.
hammerhead man
August 24th, 2010, 03:32 PM
I should have them posted by next week.
Regards,
Bill
hammerhead man
August 30th, 2010, 02:49 PM
WhaleSharker1, I loaded a few of my pics into my photo gallery. Here is a link: Hey all, for those that might be interested, I uploaded a few photos from my Fiji trip. Here is a link: ScubaBoard Gallery - Fiji 2010 (http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/5076).
My camera is a Sea&Sea DX-1G. I used 2 YS-110alpha strobes, and mst of the shots were taken with the fisheye lens. That's why I could get so much of the reef in and still get color. The only shot that shows the bending of the super wide lens is the shot of the DM looking out of the window of a wreck. All of the others do not show that distortion.
Hope you ejoy them.
Regards.
Bill
WhaleSharker1
September 7th, 2010, 11:06 AM
very nice pictures it is getting me fired up thanks counting the days any suggestions I have a sealife 1000 with one strobe with wide angle to attach any advice would be great .... except buying a new camera... :)
hammerhead man
September 7th, 2010, 11:25 AM
Regarding pics, closer is better, and try to shoot up if possible. That is, when shooting a bommie, get the reef with the surface in the background. One other comment, talk to the DM about seeing the electric clam. I'm not sure what dive it was on but it was the most amazing animal I have ever seen. The clam was in a hole in the reef, it's shell was red with red tendrils on the edge of its mantle, and you could see, what looked like, blue lighting arcing from the top to the bottom of each mantle. Simply amazing.
One Dm also pried a crinoid from the reef and we were able to see it free swim and then then when it landed to see it walk on the sand. I always thought that a crinoid was a form of coral but it is an animal. It was incredibly amazing to watch it walk on the sand.
Regards,
Bill
Curt76
September 17th, 2010, 12:43 PM
Yudi, I went to best buy and bought a 1875 watt international converter set. It can be used anywhere in the world. In it is a voltage converter/plug for Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and China. Came in handy on the Beqa trip. Also has uses as I mentioned to other parts of the world. You can just by the set for Fiji. Have fun in Beqa!!Do the shark dive.
Wiggsy
September 19th, 2010, 07:08 AM
Well - Beqa Lagoon Resort is a sure bet let me tell you. I've returned last July from my 3rd trip there and love the place. We dived it on 2007 and got the Tiger Shark on one dive, and then got her again in 2010. So my wife Kathryn, and daughters Hannah and Georgia (15 and 18 respectively) has done 2 shark dives for 2 Tiger shark visitations (Hannah was a little shocked by the size of the thing!). I wrote an article a couple of years ago for Sportdiving Magazine called "Diving with the firewalkers" and can send a .pdf of it if you pm me with your email address. Meanwhile here are some images of the Tiger Shark, a Silvertip and my awesome daughter, Georgia. And I have a small gallery of Beqa images at http://picasaweb.google.com/104209118659619077740/TheSharkKids# 82557