The Awakening Shark Expedition

The Awakening Shark Expedition
From FJD FJD699.00
  • Duration: 9 Hours (approx.)
  • Location: Port Denarau, Nadi
  • Product code: TASE
The Awakening Shark Dive Expedition for Certified Divers

Duration: Approx. 9 hours (including ferry transfers)

Departure: Port Denarau, Nadi

Location: Kuata Island & Yawake Reef, Yasawa Islands, Fiji

Important Information
  • All participants must complete the online dive medical and waiver prior to booking (online dive medical & waiver) .
  • If medical clearance is required, please consult your doctor before booking.
  • Diving is not permitted within 24 hours of flying.
  • Failure to meet medical requirements on arrival will result in forfeiture of the booking.
Your Day Begins

Check in at Port Denarau between 8:15–8:30am before departing at 8:45am for the Yasawa Islands.

Arrive at Kuata Island between 10:15am and 10:30am, where you’ll be welcomed by the Barefoot Shark Encounters team and introduced to the day ahead, including an overview of the island’s marine sanctuary and shark conservation programme.

The Awakening Shark Dive — A World-Class Bull Shark Encounter

Shortly after arrival, your expedition begins with the Awakening Shark Dive, one of Fiji’s most compelling shark diving experiences.

Designed by marine biologist Dr Thomas Vignaud PhD and developed over three years of research, this dive has been carefully created to balance close encounters with bull sharks alongside strict safety protocols and ecological best practice.

Following a detailed briefing and equipment fitting, you will depart for Yawake Reef, where at approximately 12 metres depth, certified divers encounter bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) and other species in their natural environment.

Encounters often include multiple sharks moving confidently through the water, sometimes joined by additional species such as lemon sharks, silvertips and tawny nurse sharks.

This is a close-proximity, fully guided experience, with the Barefoot Shark Encounters team closely monitoring both diver positioning and shark behaviour at all times.

Lunch & Relaxation

Following the dive, return to Kuata Island to freshen up and enjoy a relaxed island lunch overlooking the ocean.

Shark Ecology & SSI Certification

After lunch, your experience continues with an engaging Shark Ecology session led by your marine biologist host.

This session explores:

  • shark behaviour and body language
  • predator-prey relationships
  • the ecological role of sharks in reef systems

Guests are introduced to the SSI Shark Ecology programme, with certification issued following participation — adding a meaningful educational component to your experience.

Afternoon at Leisure

Enjoy time to relax or explore Kuata Island, including:

  • snorkelling coral gardens from the beach
  • relaxing on the sand
  • taking in the dramatic Yasawa landscapes
⛴️ Return to Denarau

Depart Kuata Island at approximately 3:45pm, arriving back at Port Denarau around 6:00pm.

More Than a Day Cruise

This is not simply a dive trip — it is a fully immersive shark experience, combining adventure, marine science and conservation in one extraordinary day in Fiji’s Yasawa Islands.