Frequently Asked Questions: Thank you for your enquiry about the Barefoot Collection Shark Snorkel Day Trip! We look forward to meeting you at Kuata Island soon. We will be in touch with you via email to answer any questions you have. In the meantime please see our Frequently Asked Questions and information below. Costs Full Day Shark Snorkeling Trip: Adults FJ$ 314 Children FJ$184 Transfers 1. All transfers are included from your Denarau hotel to the Denarau marina with SSC coaches, the Yasawa Flyer and Kuata Island tender (small boat) transfers 2. Pick up from your hotel door to the Denarau Port: see timetable for your hotel pick up time 3. 2 hour scenic cruise transfer on the Yasawa Flyer 4. Short transfer on small tender between the Kuata marina and Kuata Island where the safety briefing takes place 5. Return transfers
Hotel Pick Up Times The coach will pick guests up from the Hotel lobby or or nearby. Please see the table for times. The transfer service is with will be travelling with Awesome Adventures, the bus that arrives at the designated time, will have "Denarau Marina Ferry Terminal" as the destination. Once in Denarau Port, guests should make their way to the Ferry Terminal and go to "The Barefoot Collection" booth on the RHS. This is where guests will collect the ferry tickets for the transfer to Barefoot Kuata Island. (Do NOT go to the Awesome Adventures check in desk.)
Ferry Times 8:30am Daily Departures from Denarau Marina 5:45pm Return transfer departs 9:15am Departs from Beachcomber and Treasure Island Resorts: 5:00pm Return Transfer departs Tour Times 10:30am Safety Briefing is on the Kuata Island Beachfront 11:00am Shark Snorkelling commences 2pm Tour concludes at Kuata island, additional tours and facilities available Other Paid Activities Available Guided snorkel safari FJ$50 Introductory diving FJ$195 Certified diving FJ$149 Village visit FJ$35 What to bring? Swimwear and a towel Money for optional purchases Sunhat and sunscreen Your camera and a sense of adventure!
How many sharks will I see? Numbers vary but it is common to see 6 sharks. 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 they can appear 25% larger underwater - a snorkelling face mask optical illusion. White Tips are 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. Is it Safe? Yes! You ll be provided with safety instructions from our experienced guides who have spent hundreds of hours getting to know the resident sharks. Our guides will be in the water with you the entire time and will closely monitor the sharks behaviour to ensure your safety. How deep is the water? Both Black Tip and White Tip Reef Sharks prefer shallower water 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? 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-snorkelers can join the day but sit out the snorkeling experience. Can I go SCUBA Diving with the sharks? Yes, SCUBA gear can be provided for a dive with the Reef Sharks. This option is only available to Certified divers. For more information on our Dive Certification courses and additional Dive tours, see our Diving webpage. Kuata Island Accommodation Barefoot Kuata Island also provides traditional bures for the traveler looking for fuss free, comfortable accommodation. Guests can choose between a shared-facility dormitory or a more modern bure, which offers combined living space with an en-suite bathroom. See our full list of rates and packages here For more information and reservations please contact us on: reservations@thebarefootcollection.com
Terms and Conditions General 1. Rates quoted include accommodation only. 2. A compulsory meal package will be charged upon check-in. This is FJ$85 per person, per day. 3. The en-suite rooms have private toilet facilities in the room; all other accommodation, including Standard Double rooms, make use of shared toilet and bathroom facilities. 4. Children under the age of 5 sharing a room with their parents pay FJ$40, which includes all meals and age-appropriate activities. 5. Children under the age of 18 sharing a room with their parents pay FJ$80, which includes all meals and age-appropriate activities, excluding diving. 6. In the case of early arrivals and late departures, 1 extra lunch will be charged at FJ$30. Plan Your Trip 1. A minimum recommended preflight surface interval of 18 hours is suggested following repetitive and /or multi-day dives. For single dives, a minimum preflight surface interval of 12 hours is recommended. 2. Be sure to plan your trip carefully - you should ideally have a full day to relax before boarding a flight back home. Dive Package Terms & Conditions 1. Guests must be PADI, NAUI, SSI or CMAS certified in order to dive. This does not however, apply to guests doing an SSI Open Water Course or guests doing an Introductory Dive. 2. If you are under the direction of a physician and/or taking medication, we advise you to please check the medical declaration with your physician and bring along your medical clearance certificate before embarking on any dive activity. 3. Diving equipment rental is included in the package price. 4. All boat itineraries are weather and conditions permitting, at the Captain s discretion 5. All dives are at the Divemaster s discretion. 6. Dive packages are available for a minimum stay of 3 nights. 7. All activities are available subject to favorable weather conditions. 8. The Barefoot Collection cannot guarantee any shark or manta ray encounters. 9. Guests are responsible for the appropriate use of any borrowed equipment and must ensure that equipment is returned after every use, in the same condition in which it was issued. 10. Under no circumstances will refunds be issued in lieu of unused activities, whether as a result of inclement weather, availability or any other reason. 11. Dive packages include at least one single tank scuba dive by boat, per day. 12. Dive courses will be taught by our SSI-certified dive instructors according to a daily schedule. A certificate will be issued upon completion. 13. Dive packages include 3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner). Reservations & Confirmation 1. All reservations must be made through our Central Reservations on our website or : reservations@thebarefootcollection.com or +679 7077 328 or +679 777 3040. 2. Once availability has been confirmed, Central Reservations will hold the reservation for 24 hours, pending receipt of a deposit of 50% (either by credit card or by proof of payment via EFT) which serves to confirm the booking. 3. The deposit guarantees the booking and is not refundable under any circumstances. 4. The balance of the total amount is payable upon arrival on the island. Cancellation & No-shows 1. A cancellation and/or no-show fee of 50% of the value of the booking will apply regardless of time of cancellation, size of group or reason. 2. In the event of a cancellation of part of the booking (e.g. late arrival or early departure), the deposit will be used in lieu of the value of this shortfall and the guest will be liable for the outstanding balance. Special conditions 1. The Barefoot Collection and its properties will not be responsible for any loss of or damage to personal equipment or property during guests stay or during participation in our activities. 2. We will not accept responsibility for any delay, additional expense, or inconvenience which may be caused directly or indirectly by events outside our control, such as late arrival of flights, severe weather, Acts of God, acts of government, or the failure of any machinery or equipment. 3. We strongly recommend that guests take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy at the time of booking to protect themselves for the full time of their visit, against illness, injury, death, loss of baggage and personal items, cancellations, cyclones, airline delays, and other travel contingencies.