Our Staff

Beqa Adventure Divers Crew

 

Beqa Adventure Divers staff by Alexander Safonov.

 

The Fiji BAD boys - Who's who and what they do!!

 

Rusiate Balenagasau (Fiji, Beqa Island)
'Rusi' has gained quite a loyal following among divers that visit Fiji.  Diving for 20+ years from both land and liveaboard; Rusi has amassed well over 15,000 dives in the Fijian Archipelago and is easy to spot; he’s the man in the yellow hood!!  Rusi is a Boat Captain and a Senior Feeder on The Shark Dive, happiest when eye to eye with one of our regular animals.  With his intimate knowledge of the underwater world, Rusi can show you things that you would otherwise miss.
Manasa Bulivou (Fiji, Beqa Island)
'Papa' has been diving for 15+ years and is our Senior Boat Captain.  He was instrumental in aiding the set up of Shark Reef Marine Reserve, and is an official Fish Warden helping to protect the local waters.  Manasa is also one of our Senior Feeders on The Shark Dive, and loves to share his passion for the animals with everyone who dives with us.  In traditional Fijian culture, Manasa is a 'Spokesman' from his home village of Rukua, and is never one to shy away from telling a story!
Eliki Seruvatu (Fiji, Beqa Island)
Eliki is a highly experienced Divemaster and Boat Captain.  With over 10 years and 10,000+ dives in Beqa Lagoon alone, Eliki is very familiar with these waters; if it's Nudibranchs that you are after, he will know where to find them.  A Warrior by tradition; we like to think of Eliki as our bodyguard.
Ratu Kolinio Biautubukoso (Fiji, Beqa Island)
‘Tubee’ came through the ranks in 2006 and joined the team full time in ’07.  No stranger to the company, Tubee is Manasa’s son, he quickly mastered the art of diving and how to handle the sharks.  Tubee runs the 30m feed and can also be witnessed with the sharks at 15m.
Lui Veitoyaki (Fiji, Taveuni)
Lui is an accomplished PADI Instructor.  Previously based on the island of Taveuni, Lui joined the Fiji Shark Dive team in 2008.  Lui’s primary role is heading up our training department offering everything from PADI Discover SCUBA Diving to Divemaster training.  On the occasions where he has a break from teaching Lui is often playing the role of the feeders safety diver.
Sivorosi Naivua (Fiji, Galoa)
‘Sivo’ joined BAD via our Village Internship Program.  After successfully completing the program we were quick to snap Sivo up in full time employment in ’07.  4 years down the line, Sivo has learned the techniques required for handling the bait on The Shark Dive and become a dive guide with an eye for the critters.  Of great surprise to us, Sivo can also hold his own conversing in Japanese.
Silio Raqatima (Fiji, Lau Group)
Silio completed our Internship program in 2008 and became an official BAD Boy in 2009.  Silio is a wizard behind the video camera and films all of our Shark Dive excursions.  Recently he has passed the camera on and started to learn the skills required for the 30m feed.
Viliame Leawere (Fiji, Galoa)
‘Vili’ completed our Internship Program in 2008 and joined the team full time in ’09.  Vili is being groomed to play a big role on The Shark Dive.  Having mastered the 30m feed, he is now learning the ropes for the 15m feed being taught by the grand master himself, Rusi.
Netani Vuda (Fiji, Yasawas)
Netani has been piloting boats around the waters of Beqa Lagoon for many years.  As an experienced boat captain, Netani takes charge of MV Hunter, one of our Bladerunner Catamarans.  Netani really knows these local waters having previously captained fishing, surfing and diving charters throughout the region.
Arthur Sokimi (Fiji, Rotuma)
Arthur is our in-house marine biologist.  A marine biology graduate from the University of the South Pacific, Arthur liaises with the team from The Bull Shark Tagging Programme.  Arthur head up the data collection on The Shark Dive.  Arthur is lead man on our Mangroves for Fiji Project which was rolled out during 2010.
Nanise Ledua (Fiji, Lau Group)
'Nani' is our Front Desk Co-coordinator and Receptionist; for many of you, when you call us it will be Nani's friendly voice on the other end of the phone.  Taking care of business in the office and retail shop takes up most of her days, though when she gets the chance, Nani, can be found diving the blue waters of Beqa Lagoon and her favourite, The Shark Dive.
Andrew Cumming (U.K., Edinburgh)
As Beqa Adventure Divers' Operations Manager, Andrew is responsible for the day to day running of the operation and keeping the wheels turning.  Andrew joins the BAD Team in making Beqa Adventure Divers the premier diving destination in Fiji.  Andrew is also an experienced PADI MSDT and is always on hand to offer advice and answer any questions that a diver may have.