Sharks around Matangi

[pitch]

Hi, I am going to Matangi Island in about two months from now. I am planning to squeeze in as many dives as possible in my 7 day stay. I know they have some great diving sites around Matangi but I was wondering if it was possible to dive with some nice sharks. If so, what kind of species are there around the island? I would love to see a Bull shark or even a Tiger shark. Thank you

 

[bqualls]

Ask them to take you to the point off of Red Bull island--lots of nice black tips.
Also , the day before we got there, they were visited by a leopard shark. They don't do a feed or chum...which I believe is the responsible way to see sharks. DO pay the surcharge for the 3 tank day trip to the Somo Somo Straits-we didn't see sharks there(just dozens of pilot whales and spinner dolphins..with babies)...But they said they only see the large pod of whales once a year.
Don't let Jonathan scare you when he lands on you in the restaurant--he's harmless...but he does kinda smell.

 

[ColoDale]

The sharks we saw near Matangi were white tip reefsharks and unfortunately we did not see other types. They were solitary and were seen at shallow depths but quite few of them. They don't stick around much though. These were mostly around Qamea. When diving around Qamea you will come around what are not tongue and groove formations but multiple "protusions" of the island and small coves (not deep into the island). Coming around the edge was when we would see the white tip reef sharks and they would disappear quickly but they were close. It's almost like sneaking up on them.
We were told that might see other types in the Somosomo straits but did not. Maybe it was the time of year (April). As said, do pay to take the trip there.

We did see some sharks at depth when doing Yellow Wall and Noel's Wall but they were only glimpses and I can't say what they were. They were deep. These two walls and the top of both I think are must do dives.

Further, the resort also offers a trip to Tavenui (extra $) to see Bouma Falls (aka Tovoro Falls). I highly recommend it.

 

[pitch]

I am very exited to go,...this is my first time in the South Pacific. I usually dive in Maldives several times a year. White and black tips are relatively common there, so I was hoping to see some other shark species. I will be using a 3mm shorty with a dive skin underneath. Can you tell me if that is sufficient? I am passionate about underwater photography, if anyone feels like sharing there Matangi/ Taveuni underwater (or land) pictures,...I would love to see them.

I am a big animal lover so I am actually looking forwards to seeing Jonathan. I was told that the old Jonathan had passed away and that the one flying around was Jonathan junior.... . I guess I will know in a couple of months.

Anyhow, thank you all for your help.
Pitch

 

[Manuel Sam]

I don't know when the ideal times are but bulls and sometimes tigers, along with grey reefs, nurse, lemons and silvertips can be seen on the shark dives in Beqa Lagoon. The closest town is Pacific Harbour. Pacific Harbour is on the southern coast, about a 3-hr. ride from Nadi.

 

[ColoDale]

The time of year I was there was early April so the season is different than when you are going – apparently mid October. I checked my dive logs from my dive computer and the minimum temp was 81F with most at 83F. I dove in surf shorts and nylon t-shirt.

However when you are there it will be leaving winter (September) so the water temps according to my sources will be lower. I have read as low as 72F but could be warmer depending on conditions and going into spring. Note that they have a dry and wet season and don’t really use winter, spring, fall, summer. If it were me, I would go to a 3mm but if you are colder then the skin underneath might be a good idea. Around 75F seems to be my cutoff for a wetsuit or skin but I like being colder as long as the surface temps are warm.

I put some Fiji photos in my member gallery. Under my avatar in the stats section, see the photos link and it should take you to my pics (ColoDale). The Fiji photos are in two groups so see file titles starting with Fiji or Matangi. They are mixed in with other island photos but are in general groups. I should have done albums but didn’t so it’s one flat area.

Btw the photo with guy carrying the luggage is how you will leave Taveuni for Matangi (and maybe boarding boats in Matangi as well). Unless things have changed, I can’t imagine another way – there is no landing strip on Matangi or room for one.