Scuba Diving and Volunteering in Fiji

Scuba Diving and Volunteering in Fiji

Bula Fiji - "Welcome to Fiji" – the friendliest paradise in the world. A little piece of the world for loafers, dreamers, sport enthusiasts, and adventurers alike, Fiji consists of over 330 islands, of which only 100 are inhabited. 

Fiji: Scuba Diving and Volunteering in Paradise

Dive into the Fiji Islands! Make a 6-week side trip to the island paradise and combine a PADI diving course with volunteer work in an ocean protection area. During the first weeks, you’ll get to know the underwater world first-hand: in the course of 30 dives, you will improve your diving skills and complete a PADI certificate course.

Then you will put your diving skills to good use, taking an active part in a study of an ocean protection area. You will clean up the ocean floor, remove fishing lines that get caught around the coral reefs, explain the importance of recycling to schoolchildren, clean beaches, and assist with maintenance work.

You will be accommodated with a host family in a traditional Fijian village for part of the time, diving into the gorgeous underwater world as well as into this amazing culture! the rest of the time, you will stay in a guest house, hostel, and backpacker resort. Meals will vary depending on your accommodation.

1. Scuba Diving Course

Regardless of whether you are an experienced diver, you will spend the first weeks of your stay in Fiji in the PADI course. You will be able to choose from three certification types: Open Water, Advanced Open Water, and Rescue Diver. You will usually choose one of the courses, depending on the level of diving experience you have. You will make a total of 30 dives. During the week, you will stay with a host family.  

2. Volunteering in the Ocean Protection Area

After the scuba diving course, you will have the opportunity to use your new skills for a practical purpose: you will work 30 days as a volunteer in a long-term study, with the goal of establishing a marine protection area (MPA). Your work will include keeping statistics in regard to the ocean protection area and studying the composition of the coral reefs. During your ocean dives, you will keep track of fish populations and assist in building so-called “fish houses”, which are made of dead corals and should attract more fish species to the ocean protection area. During this time, you will stay in a hostel.   

3. Relax!

During the final days of your stay in Fiji you’ll have time to chill out and enjoy your holiday in Fiji. You will move to the gorgeous Coral Coast on Fiji’s main island, living either in the beach house (known from the English television show Love Island) or in a comparable beach resort.  

Starting Dates: 30 July, 10 Sept., 22 Oct. 2010 and 11 Feb., 25 Mar., 27 May, 8 July, 19 Aug., 14 Oct. 2011.

Services and Prices for Scuba Diving and Volunteering in Fiji

• Transfer from the airport in Nadi, and all other programme-related transportation
• Orientation
• 30 scuba dives, incl. diving equipment (on loan)
• 1 international PADI diving certificate (depending on level)
• Accommodation in a shared room with a host family, in a guest house, hostel, and backpacker resort.  
• Most meals
• Placement in an ocean protection project
• Training in research techniques as well as necessary training and research materials
• Cultural activities
• Local English-speaking contact person
• Local 24-hour emergency number
• Certificate upon return

Prices

Fiji Diving and Volunteering

£ 2865

US$ 4685

3495 €

Code: FJ-490