Fiji Diving and Volunteer Marine Conservation program

  Fiji

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: January, February, June, August, October

Description: Fiji, the stunning islands of the south Pacific, known as the 'friendly islands', are a tropical paradise. Join us as you experience Fijian culture, gain your PADI Diving certification, and use your diving skill by volunteering on an important marine conservation project.

There are four parts to the program:

Fijian Culture!
Many Fijian still live like their ancestors, in a small traditional village, adhering to the Fijian culture, and living a subsistence way of life. For the first two weeks you will be based in the traditional village of Nagigi. After being welcomed village during a traditional sevusevu ceremony, the village adopts you! You will feel extremely welcomed, and for many this is the cultural highlight.

Accommodation in the village is basic (power only happens for 3 hours per day - by generator!) It is not luxurious by any means. So, you should expect to live as the majority of Fijians do. This may be a challenge depending on your experience, but it will be extremely worthwhile and eye opening. Your new Fijian 'Mum' Olivia will look after you, teach you some basic Fijian (although many also speak some English), how to cook Fijian style, native medicines, and of course the many natural activities available.

Volunteer Marine Conservation project.
You will now move from the village, and closer to your new marine conservation project.

Be part of a long term project to develop a 'Marine Protection Area' (MPA). Traditionally Fijian villages set aside taboo areas of no fishing. This allowed marine life to develop and flourish. This is an integral part of the subsistence way of life.

We wish to develop such an area (MPA). First we need to survey the reef, and do fish counts to see what is currently there. Then after it has been designated an MPA we need to continue survey and fish counting to ascertain how it is developing. Working closely with the local villages we can then prove its worth, and promote the further develop of MPA. So you will be actively involved while diving a pristine area, in reef surveying, fish counts, and also later the development of 'fish houses' from dead coral to promote the return of even more fish life. This project is extremely important to the long term sustainability of the Fijian way of life.

Diving!
With over 300 islands, and abundant marine life, Fiji is also the home of some of the best diving in the world.

The Diving off Vanua Levu and Taveuni are world renown and the best that Fiji has to offer.

You will dive at a huge range of dive sites, and everything from fantastic hard and soft corals (Fiji is known as the soft coral capital of the world) to lionfish, harlequin filefish and butterfly fish, Spanish mackerel, coral trout and unicorn fish plus painted crayfish, giant tridacna clams, and eagle rays, barracuda, dog-tooth tuna, mantas and even bronze whalers hammerheads (large but harmless sharks).

Relax, and perfect your Fijian Tan.
For the last 4 or 5 days of the program, you travel to the main island, and in particular the famous 'Coral Coast'. Now it's time to relax, sit back, and really enjoy what is known as 'Fiji time'. We normally base ourselves at either the 'Beach House' (famous as being the location for the ITV program 'Love Island') or the upbeat and funky Mango Bay resort.

There is a multiple of activities on offer, or you can just lie back and 'do nothing' except perfect your now golden Fijian tan!

Highlights: * Traditional Fijian village stay
* Diving Diving Diving! Some of the best in the world
* Diving qualfications
* 'Bula' the greeting from the most friendly people on earth
* Helping by volunteering on a very important conservation project

Qualifications: Over 18.

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Fiji Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 4-8

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

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