Ultimate Encounters Snorkel with Sharks

Day Experience and Packages

You'll snorkel with these ocean predators in their home environment. Just crystal clear water between you and them, no cage, no aquarium... an adrenaline rush experience.

How does Ultimate Encounters - Snorkel with Sharks operate?

We’ll pick you up from your Nadi or Denarau accommodation and transfer you to Denarau Marina where you’ll board the vessel the ‘Yasawa Flyer’. This large modern high-speed catamaran features two large observation decks, air-conditioned lounge and even a bar offering espresso coffee. You’ll cruise through the Mamanuca Islands and then onto the stunning more isolated Yasawas Islands, here you’ll disembark at Kuata Island, the closest of the Yasawa Islands to Nadi. Kuata Island is a hidden small gem in the Yasawa Island archipelago. A picture postcard beach, transparent turquoise waters, unusual tall rock formations and that same warm hospitality synonymous with Fijian people. There’s small rustic accommodation on Kuata Island offering a Robinson Crusoe style experience with the comforts of a restaurant, bar, hammocks and even a swimming pool!

Following your briefing on the Kuata Island beachfront you’ll board a boat together with your guides and travel to our snorkelling with sharks reef site. Departure time varies depending on tidal and sea conditions. You won’t go hungry with morning tea & afternoon tea and lunch all served on Kuata Island. For the remainder of the day the facilities of Barefoot Kuata are available to you. There’s good snorkelling close to the beachfront, kayaks, walking tracks and even a massage service available at an additional cost.

Is it safe?

Yes. You’ll be provided with safety instruction from our experienced guides who’ve spent hundreds of hours getting to know our resident school of sharks. Our guides will be in the water with you the entire time and will closely monitor the sharks behaviour to ensure your safety.

What type of sharks will I see?

There are two main species of sharks encountered, White Tip Reef Sharks and Black Tip Reef Sharks, both are common in the tropical warm waters of the South Pacific. Each species can grow to a length of just over 1.5 metres although under the water they appear 25% larger, a snorkelling face mask optical illusion. White Tips are the dominant species and are by nature an inquisitive shark not frightened to check you out. Their Black Tip relatives are by contrast timid and will shy away if they feel threatened.

How many sharks will I see?

Numbers vary but it is common to see up to six sharks.

How deep is the water?

Both Black Tip and White Tip Reef Sharks prefer shallower waters making snorkelling easy with good visibility. It’s even possible to see the sharks from our boat before entering the water. Water depth varies between 4 - 6 metres depending on the tide.

What if I’m not a good swimmer, haven’t snorkelled before or don’t want to snorkel but my travelling companion does?

Buoyancy aids are available for less confident swimmers and because these sharks prefer shallow waters there’s no necessity to dive under the water to secure a thrilling view. Non-snorkellers can join the day but sit out the snorkelling experience.

Our Shark Guarantee

As Sharks are wild animals we cannot guarantee sightings however we have a 95% +success rate of sighting sharks. In the event that you don’t see any sharks we are happy for you to return for a complimentary “Ultimate Encounter - Snorkel with Sharks” within 3 days of your original cruise.

If poor weather and sea conditions result in the cancellation of the 'Snorkelling with Sharks experience,' a substitute snorkelling safari will be provided.