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The 'Awakening Shark Dive'
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Words struggle to capture how people feel during and after their Awakening Shark Dive. In the dive boat after the dive, people simply look at each with a smile or nod of the head acknowledging they've just shared a moment of wonderment. 
The 'Awakening Shark Dive'
'A must do is the Awakening Fiji shark dive. Being a novice diver, I did not think this was possible.  Any apprehension I had soon went after a few practice dives in the shallows. By 11:30 and after a 30min boat ride, I was in 10m of water kneeling behind a rock, watching a dozen fully grown Bull Sharks being fed only a few metres away! Adrenalin stuff, an experience I will never forget.' 
Barefoot Shark Encounters Fiji TripAdvisor review of the Awakening Shark Dive.
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The 'Awakening Shark Dive' is a new-age Fiji Shark Dive designed by Marine Biologist and shark authority Dr. Thomas Vignaud PHD. Over 3 years in it's planning, design and now operating for over 8 years 'The Awakening Shark Dive' is a thrilling adventure that both certified and introductory (non-certified) divers can experience. 

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Ecological best practice ensures the dive has no negative impact on the sharks, combined with strict OHS best practice to ensure diver safety. 

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Questions & Answers
How do I join the 'Awakening Shark Dive'?
How many times a day does the 'Awakening Shark Dive' operate?
There are 2 dive departures per day. The first is 8.00am, it's a 20 metre dive and is for certified divers only. The 2nd dive is at 11.00am, it's a 10 metre dive that both certified and introductory divers can join.
How is it possible an Introductory Diver (non-certified diver) can join the 'Awakening Shark Dive'?
The 2nd dive is conducted in shallower waters only 10 metres in depth, this falls within the requirements for an introductory dive. Prior to the Awakening Shark Dive, participants undergo comprehensive dive training with one of our qualified dive instructors. 
Is diving with Fiji Sharks safe? 
Yes! Divers are escorted by a Barefoot Shark Encounters dive team of 5 or more dependent on diver numbers. Their role is to look after you and monitor shark behavior to ensure diver safety, there are no compromises with a detailed briefing conducted pre-dive. Introductory Divers (non-certified divers) undergo comprehensive pre-dive training including shore dives to ensure dive proficiency before the 'Awakening Shark Dive'.
How many Fiji Sharks will I see? 
Numbers vary but it is common to see between 8 to 25 Bull Sharks plus guest appearances from other shark species.
What type of Fiji sharks will I see?
Bull Shark
Carcharhinus leucas
Tiger Shark
Galeocerdo cuvier
Tawny Nurse Shark
Nebrius ferrugineus
Bull Sharks are the dominant species encountered during the Awakening Shark Dive. They are distinguished from other sharks by their body’s high width-to-length ratio, giving them a stout appearance. Bull Sharks grow to 3.3 meters and weigh up to 227 kilos.
Tiger Sharks are a solitary, mostly nocturnal hunter. It's notable for having the widest food spectrum of all sharks it has a reputation as a 'garbage eater' consuming a variety of inedible, man-made objects that linger in its stomach. Tiger Sharks can grow up to 4 metres and weigh up to 900 kilos.
Nocturnal in habits, the tawny nurse shark tends to spend the day resting inside caves or under ledges. At night, it is an active-swimming predator that uses a powerful suction force to extract prey from inside holes and crevices. Tawney Nurse Sharks can grow up to 3.2 metres and weigh up to 120 kilos.
Lemon Shark
Negaprion acutidens
Lemon Sharks have an unusual yellow-brown coloring that resembles a lemon. As shallow-water seafloor hunters, their unique yellow skin helps camouflage them against the sandy seafloor. Lemon Sharks grow up to 3 metres in length and weigh up to 100 kilos.
Silvertip Shark
Carcharhinus albimarginatus
The Silvertip Shark is a large robust, streamlined species with a moderately long, broad snout and large, round eyes. It features striking white tips and trailing edges on all fins. Silvertip Sharks can reach up to 3 metres in length and weigh up to 160 kilos.
  • Certified-only divers can book a Barefoot Shark Encounters Fiji Shark Dive Day Cruise departing Port Denarau, Nadi  on a daily basis. Click on the link or button below for details and pricing.
  • Book the Awakening Shark Dive when staying at Barefoot Kuata Island Resort.
  • Introductory Divers (non-certified divers) and certified divers can book a Barefoot Shark Encounters Island Resort Shark Dive Package inclusive of Fiji Shark dives, accommodation and ferry transfers. Click on the link or button below for pricing and details. 
There are 3 ways you can join the 'Awakening Shark Dive'.
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Blacktip Reef Shark
Carcharhinus melanopterus
Whitetip Reef Shark
Triaenodon obesus
Whitetip Reef Sharks rarely exceed 1.8 m in length, this species is easily recognizable by its slender body, short broad head, white-tipped dorsal and caudal fins. They spend much of their day time resting inside caves. Unlike other requiem sharks, which rely on ram ventilation and must constantly swim to breathe, this shark can pump water over its gills and lie still on the sea floor.
Blacktip Reef Sharks are easily identified by the prominent black tips on its fins. It is is usually found over reef ledges, sandy flats they grow up to 1.6 metre in length. The blacktip reef shark has extremely small home ranges remaining within the same local area for up to several years at a time.
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