Fiji’s Beqa Lagoon Is the No. 1 Shark-spotting Destination in the World

Sharks are deeply misunderstood creatures. The International Fund for Animal Welfare reports that sharks kill fewer than 10 people each year, while people kill an estimated 100 million sharks per year. Of the 500 species of sharks that live in the ocean, just a few pose any threat to humans. 

Despite the facts, sharks remain a fearsome creature in most people's imaginations—and the chance to see them in the wild can be thrilling (and a little terrifying). For that reason, BoatMart, a site for buying new and used boats, recently published a list of its favorite destinations to see sharks and cage dive. 

At the top of their list of must-visit destinations for shark spotting is a place that’s considered a dream vacation destination for plenty of other reasons: Fiji.

According to BoatMart, Fiji’s Beqa Lagoon (pronounced “Ben-gah” in Fijian) is the No. 1 spot for shark spotting in the world, thanks in large part that it is part of the Shark Reef Marine Reserve, which protects a pristine, world-renowned dive site and shark habitat known as Shark Reef. The reef and the lagoon are known for their clear ocean waters, where visitors can experience close encounters with seven species of sharks, including bull sharks, tawny nurse sharks, grey reef sharks, and tiger sharks. 

As outlined in the Shark Reef Marine Reserve fact sheet, during dive experiences here, visitors can crouch behind a small wall while sharks are hand-fed or given tuna heads dropped from a plastic bin. There are safety divers during all sessions, and dives are limited to two boats per day, five days a week.

Many of the Beqa Lagoon dives are led by locals who are certified recreational dive instructors. 100 percent of the marine reserve access fees are paid to the local community.

Considering its thriving shark population, Beqa Lagoon is also surprisingly easy to access. The lagoon is just south of Viti Levu, the main island of Fiji where all international flights arrive and depart. Popular Beqa Lagoon dive operators include the conservation-minded company Beqa Adventure Divers and Aqua-Trek, who are considered Fijian pioneers of shark diving.

Here's the full list of the best shark dives in the world, according to BoatMart.

1. Beqa Lagoon
2. Fakarava, French Polynesia 
3. Neptune Islands, Australia 
4. Galapagos, Ecuador 
5. Gansbaai, South Africa 
6. Guadalupe Island, Mexico 
7. Farallon Islands, California 
8. Maui, Hawaii 
9. Jupiter, Florida 
10. Tiger Beach, Bahamas 
11. Placencia, Belize 
12. San Diego, California