from $3230.00

Fiji Marine Conservation (2013)

Tour style - Learn & Volunteer

29 days

Our Fiji Marine Conservation Expedition offers a unique opportunity to learn new skills, discover an incredible underwater environment and protect marine biodiversity in the Fijian Islands. Your research assistance will provide long-term benefits to the local community and help guarantee food security for future generations. You will also get to SCUBA dive and snorkel in the clear, blue waters of the South Pacific Ocean to collect data that will help establish community managed Marine Protected Areas. In addition to SCUBA diving, you will spend time working on community development projects that will include constructing water tanks and creating environmental awareness projects for local schools. On weekends you will have plenty of opportunities to explore the islands and enjoy Fijian culture, food, sports and the breathtaking scenery. This program is only available to qualified divers (PADI OWD or equivalent).

Or call 800.781.4040

Summary
The days can be long and hard, with an early start to make the most of daylight hours. The day typically includes: kitting up and equipment preparation, travel to the survey sites, survey diving, returning from sites, washing down the equipment, filling SCUBA tanks ready for the next day and generally a late finish after all the data collected has been reviewed and input in the database. Every evening, the whole team gathers for the evening debrief and to eat tasty food, and socialise. Volunteers will rotate between projects, thus taking some time away from the hard diving work, and you can spend some of your time participating in additional projects as they become available. Volunteers are also fully involved in the logistical operations of the camp, from the day-to-day rotations of cooking and cleaning to operating the compressor and filling dive tanks. Volunteers will generally work Monday to Friday. Weekends are usually for rest and relaxation depending upon the needs of the project. Volunteers will have the opportunity to leave the base and explore some of the nearby islands, some of which have backpacker resorts with many activities on offer. Then on Mondays it's time to go back to work!
Highlights
The key highlights for this fab tour are the opportunity to learn new skills like SCUBA diving and conducting underwater surveys in the warm, turquoise waters of the Pacific; spending time getting to know the local community and their traditional villages; teaching children about environmental conservation during weekly school visits; assisting in the creation of a network of Marine Protected Areas; coming across a myriad of fascinating marine creatures to study; enjoying island hopping to stunning, remote island locations; visiting idyllic traditional Fijian villages, white beaches, climbing volcanic mountains, enjoying breathtaking scenery, cave swimming, cultural immersion in the Fijian way of life; and of course, learning to speak Fijian!
Inclusions
- All food and accommodation - Airport transfers - In-country transport as dictated by your project - Orientation and training - PADI Advanced Open Water - PADI Coral Reef Researcher specialty - Fun dives - Heavily discounted further dive training options up to PADI Rescue Diver - All training materials, technical dive equipment and science equipment - Emergency First Aid course - 24 hour in-country support and a 24 hour emergency phone line - Pre-departure support and discounted services - A traditional Fijian Sevusevu ceremony and village visit
Not Included
- International flights and taxes - visa costs - medical and travel insurance - side trips (unless specified) - spending money