Adventure, diving, ziplining in the Pacific Islands

Aquatrek

Not for the faint hearted, swimming with sharks has to be right up there for anyone looking for an adventure, and Aqua-Trek in Fiji’s beautiful Beqa lagoon delivers this with their Ultimate Shark Encounter dives.

This dive features up to eight different species of shark: bull shark (largest in the world), white-tip reef shark, black-tip reef shark, nurse shark, lemon shark, grey reef shark, silver-tip shark, and even the elusive tiger shark. As divers descend through the clear waters to a landing at 18m/60 ft, they will see sharks circling below them along with hundreds of jacks, snappers and over 300 other fish species swirling around the feeding area. Some divers are rewarded with rare sightings of the huge Queensland grouper and humphead wrasse.

Divers are not in a cage, but situated on the reef around the perimeter of the dive site called The Arena. Once settled in, the feed begins. Tawny nurse sharks are abundant and not shy as they crowd around the feeders. Lemon sharks attend in ones or twos. Silver tips dart in and out from the blue. The main attraction, the huge bull sharks, arrive in numbers as far as the eye can see. They purposefully move in, opening their enormous jaws to take the food from the feeder in direct view of the diving guests.

After 20 minutes of bottom time, divers ascend up the beautiful reef ledge where grey reef, black tip and white tip reef sharks swim freely. After diving among the big boys (and girls), this part of the dive seems like
the nursery.

The dive lasts about 50 minutes and provides divers and ‘shark lovers’ award-winning photo and video opportunities. After the hour-long surface interval, the dive is repeated. However, you never know what the second dive will bring as the tide has changed and the chum trail has travelled far.

Aqua-Trek pioneered shark diving in Fiji over 25 years ago, and their team of Fijian dive masters have a unique connection with the sharks based on love and respect. Fijians traditionally believe that they are protected by the Shark God Dakuwaqa, the guardian of the reef entrance to the islands and one of the most well-known gods in Fijian legend. It is said that Dakuwaga frequently changed himself into the form of a shark and travelled around the islands to protect Fiji’s people from harm when fishing or swimming. For that reason,they like to think of sharks as friends, keepers of the ocean, and critically important apex predators.

Aqua-Trek’s Ultimate Shark encounter dives run on Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays and Saturdays, departing at 8:30am and returning at 12:30pm. Book online at www.aquatrek.com or call +679 773 0324

Dive Munda

Diving into a crocodile den is not something I ever saw myself doing. In Australia, we avoid them! Yet, on my last trip to the Solomon’s, that is exactly what I did. Diving with sharks, wakeboarding, waterskiing, surfing and trekking through the jungle were all part of my adventure on board
the MV Taka.

On my first trip, I didn’t know what to expect other than fun, adventure and a little relaxing in paradise. From that one trip, I was hooked and have since been back multiple times. Solomon Islands might be a small, remote country but it is big on adventure, fun, culture, crystal clear water and happiness. Only three hours from Brisbane, it is my favourite destination.

After getting my diving certification with Dive Munda, I was keen to experience more in these gorgeous, tropical waters. As we approached Mirror Pond, my nerves grew. This is where Tracey the crocodile lives. While the dive guides had been numerous times before, I had not. The idea of diving into her cavern and surfacing where the water is so perfect you can see the jungle clear above you and come up as if passing through a mirror was not something I could pass up.

Right before we went in, I was told it would just be the two of us venturing in, Justin my guide and myself because the other divers had decided to skip this particular spot. He and the cruise directors reassured me it was totally fine, showing me pictures and talking about Tracey as if she was a pet dog.

Jumping in, my heart racing, I followed Justin down into the cave. Looking around, I didn’t see the crocodile anywhere and assumed she simply wasn’t there. As we began to surface I looked up, the sunlight streamed in through the canopy straight onto us under the water. The water was so flat and clear it was as if I was on one side of the glass, surfacing on the other. Removing our regulators, I heard “Oh, she’s not here.”

Looking at where he was pointing, it was then that I realised of course a crocodile isn’t just going to hang out in the cave underwater! She’d be up on land or in the shallows. Partially relieved, partially disappointed at not seeing her, this particular dive was mesmerising, the most incredible surface from a dive into an isolated paradise inside an island.

Despite not actually diving with a crocodile (that I know of), it was still my most memorable dive and not the only heart-racing thing I did in the Solomons.

Right before another dive, Shemiah asked me to come try skurfing, similar to wakeboarding, you essentially surf on a short board holding onto a rope at the back of a boat. First, we ran through a few surfing basics then it was my turn. Convinced I was about to faceplant it into the water the second the boat took off, I had to do it. I’d agreed with a 15 year old on the trip if I tried it she would, so there was no backing out.

Shemiah helped me position my legs, gave me a confidence boost saying I’d be great, then it was off. Those few seconds I skimmed across the water were incredibly freeing. My first attempt I went a few metres, my second was similar but it was so much fun! Meanwhile, Shemiah showed us how it was done, looping around while balancing a 6 year old guest as well. I might not be as graceful as he is but I am definitely keen to do more. As the sunset that night, we had a bonfire and BBQ on a private island. Little torches lit up the water as we played and reminisced on our trip, all of us already planning to come back.

Find out more at www.sidcruises.com

The author, Kylie Travers is an avid traveller, diver and journalist. You can find her at www.kylietravers.com.au

Vanuatu Jungle Zipline

Fancy hanging upside down and soaring over the top of a tropical jungle? That’s what’s in store for adventure seekers in Port Vila who brave Vanuatu’s Jungle Zipline!

The original Treetop Canopy Zipline is over 1km long and consists of six ziplines and two suspension bridges, taking around three hours to complete. Then for the real adrenaline junkies there is the Big Zip Trek which is a whopping 1.3km log with seven ziplines, a 300-metre Gravity Canyon crossing and lots of trekking involved. Both of these tours give you breathtaking views overlooking the ridgeline down to Mele Bay.

In early 2020 they welcomed their brand new Jungle Walking Tour that includes traversing over a 120-metre long canyon crossing bridge! This activity is suitable for both young and old of average mobility and strength, as long as you are in reasonably good health.

Bookings recommended.

Online at www.vanuatujunglezipline.com or call +(678) 555 0423.

Rivers Fiji

Get ready to experience the cultural and adventurous heartland of Fiji with Rivers Fiji, who offer unique river and sea kayaking trips that are perfect for experienced paddlers and novices alike.

On these tours you can explore and experience remote highland villages and dense tropical forests, battle class II-III white water rapids or venture on sea kayaks across turquoise-blue waters and snorkel incredible coral reefs.

The Upper Navua Gorge trip is a favourite for thrill seekers. Slicing a deep chasm through the island’s tropical interior, rafting this river is roughly a 25km trip shrouded by lush rain forest, fed by at least 40-50 waterfalls and protected by challenging rapids and deep, narrow canyons with black volcanic walls.

Tours range from US$90 up to US$239.

Dates vary, check availability online www.riversfiji.com or call +679 345-0147