New Zealand: Diving & Volunteering in Fiji

New Zealand: Diving & 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.  

New Zealand: Diving & Volunteering in Fiji

Diving & Volunteering in Fiji

For many TravelWorkers in New Zealand, diving and volunteering in Fiji is an exciting side-trip. 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 two weeks, you’ll get to know the underwater world first-hand: the diving course will lead you into a world-famous diving area. During this time, you will live in a traditional Fijian village and receive an inside view of the culture and way of life of the island’s residents. You will also receive a short introduction to Fijian language and cooking. On top of this, you will take an active part in a study of an ocean protection area. You will have the chance to put your diving skills to good use, collecting information about the vegetation and ocean wildlife populations in the protected area. During the final days of your stay, you will have the opportunity to recover from your diving adventures, relax on the sand, and work on your tan.

1. Diving Course
Regardless of whether you are an experienced diver, you will spend the first two weeks of your stay in Fiji in the PADI diving 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. Volunteer Work in the Ocean Protection Area
After the 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 2010: 7 May, 18 June, 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 Fiji

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

Prices