Nov 6 - Nov 16, 2025
Fiji/New Caledonia/Vanuatu
Fascinating Fiji: Exploring Above and Below its Shores
Program No. 23554RJ
Don your snorkeling mask to discover the coral reefs and aquatic biodiversity of Fiji with experts — then go on land to meet the locals and share in their culture and traditions.
Enroll with Confidence
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more
Protecting the Environment
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
800-454-5768
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
Not seeing the date you're looking for?
To be notified if dates of this program become available, click the button below.
This date is available to book as a private experience for your group!
12 days
11 nights
26 meals
8B 9L 9D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
4
Morning Boat-based Snorkel, Lecture
Beqa Island
11
Drive to Nadi, Program Concludes
In Flight
At a Glance
Bula! Welcome to Fiji, where the warmth of these tropical islands is found not only in the breezes of the South Pacific, but in the friendly smiles of local residents. With marine experts, explore the natural treasures and biodiversity that make these islands some of the most fascinating and beautiful in the world. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced snorkeler, the pristine waters and coral reefs surrounding Fiji’s coastlines await your sense of adventure. Discover native fish and coral ecosystems in their natural habitat and learn about current community-focused conservation initiatives. Following your water adventures, experience true Fijian hospitality on land as you meet local residents, visit schools, and enjoy evenings of traditional Fijian song and dance.
Activity Level
Outdoor: No Sweat
Walking during field trips on unpaved and uneven ground and in sand. Typical walking distance is 1.5 - 2.5 miles during the course of a day, sometimes on unpaved trails. Snorkeling/swimming for 2 - 4 hours most days. For boat-based snorkels, which most will be, you also must have sufficient upper body strength to use a ladder to pull yourself into the boat from the water. Walking around the hotel in the evenings involves use of dimly lit pathways without railings, sometimes on an incline.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Snorkel and learn from marine experts about the biodiversity of some of Fiji’s most beautiful ecosystems, including Bligh Waters, Vatu-i-Ra Seascape and Beqa Island.
- Learn how Fiji’s seascapes are vital to the livelihood of its residents as you enjoy field trips to local villages and schools.
- Participate in a kava ceremony where you’ll sample a pepper-root drink from a “bilo,” or coconut cup, and enjoy evenings of Fijian “meke,” music and dance.
General Notes
Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.
Suggested Reading List
(18 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Fascinating Fiji: Exploring Above and Below its Shores
Program Number: 23554
South Pacific Islands Map
Covering the Pacific from Pitcairn to Papua New Guinea at a scale of 13:000,000. With 30 individual island maps, including Easter Island, New Caledonia, the Solomon Islands, Marquesas, French Polynesia, Vanuatu and Fiji.
Fiji's Natural Heritage
A superbly illustrated, comprehensive survey of the natural history of Fiji with 500 color photos.
Mutiny on the Bounty
The well-known (and loved) fictional account of the voyage of the HMS Bounty, greatly enjoyable despite its probable lack of accuracy regarding Bligh's personality.
Oceanic Art
A concise, cogent and colorful overview of the gorgeous art of the Pacific Islands. Organized thematically with 182 illustrations, 26 in color.
Getting Stoned with Savages, A Trip Through the Islands of Fiji and Vanuatu
Troost (Sex Lives of Cannibals) follows up his hilarious account of life in Kiribati with an equally amusing romp in Fiji and Vanuatu. Coaxed back to the islands by promises of a simpler life, Troost faces dangerous weather, potent drugs and tribal chiefs with his wit intact.
Lonely Planet Fijian Phrasebook
This handy pocket phrasebook includes pronunciation, basic grammar and essential vocabulary.
Lonely Planet Fiji
This comprehensive guide features maps, a good overview of Fiji's culture, history and nature, and information on excursions, accommodations and sightseeing. It also includes information on outdoor and adventure activities.
We, the Navigators, The Ancient Art of Landfinding in the Pacific
This engaging classic examines how Stone Age Polynesians may have navigated the Pacific. The scholarly volume will appeal to seafarers and modern Pacific travelers.
Reef Fish Identification, Tropical Pacific
This comprehensive guide to Indo-Pacific reef fishes features 2,500 color photographs.
Pacific Journeys
A striking portfolio of 330 color photographs of the people, nature and landscape of the region, Hendrie's gorgeous book includes images from his many journeys to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, to Tahiti and the Marquesas, Tonga, Fiji, Easter Island and Hawaii over the last 20 years.
Tales of the South Pacific
The first of the big Michener novels, set in World War II Polynesia. It's great fun, and the basis for the Rogers & Hammerstein musical "South Pacific."
The Snorkeller's Guide to the Coral Reef, From the Red Sea to the Pacific Ocean
This take-along guide covers coral reefs, fish, invertebrates and plants of the Indo-Pacific and includes 200 color photographs.
The Happy Isles of Oceania
The peripatetic author flies off to Australia and New Zealand with a kayak and ends up exploring much of Melanesia and Polynesia, including Tonga, Fiji and the Marquesas, in this wickedly funny, wide-ranging tale.
A Field Guide to the Birds of Hawaii and the Tropical Pacific
This landmark field guide with chapters on the islands and habitats features superb color plates by Pratt and a checklist of birds.
Fiji Map
A true, in-depth tourist map to the islands of Fiji, single-sided, scaled to 1:625,000. Side one includes laundry lists of resorts, charters, golf courses and other helpful tourism info. The map features Vanua Levu, Viti Levu, Kadavu I, North Lau Group, South Lau Group and other satellite islands.
Blue Hope
In this informative, dazzling collection of photographs, maps and essays, deep-sea crusader Sylvia Earle pays tribute to the ocean. Her aim: to encourage us to love the ocean -- all life on Earth, she writes, depends on it.
Coral Reef Fishes
This compact handbook features 2,500 illustrations of shallow-water fishes around the world.
Ocean Duets
This stunning portfolio of sea life celebrates the ocean's biodiversity with great color photographs and informative text.
Year
- 2025
Date
- Nov 06 - Nov 16
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Nov 6 - Nov 16, 2025 Itinerary Differences: This program is 1 night shorter than the standard itinerary. It includes 3 nights at Beqa Island and 5 nights in Rakiraki.
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Select trip year and date
- 2025
- Nov 06 - Nov 16
Nov 6 - Nov 16, 2025 Itinerary Differences: This program is 1 night shorter than the standard itinerary. It includes 3 nights at Beqa Island and 5 nights in Rakiraki.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
11 days
10 nights
What's Included
26 meals (
8B, 9L, 9D
)
7 expert-led lectures
10 expert-led field trips
3 performances
An experienced Group Leader
8 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
In Transit to Program
Location:
In Flight
Day
2
In Transit to Program, Cross International Date Line
Location:
In Flight
Activity Note
A day is “lost” due to crossing the International Date Line.
Day
3
Arrive Fiji, Transfer to Beqa, Orientation, Snorkel Refresh
Location:
Beqa Island
Meals:
L,D
Stay:
Beqa Lagoon Resort
Activity Note
Early morning flight arrival at Nadi International Airport, Fiji. Bus transfer to Pacific Harbour - approximately 2.5 hours - followed by a 45 minute ferry ride to Beqa Island. Hotel check in from 11:00 a.m. Snorkeling refresher up to 1 hour swimming and snorkeling.
Morning:
Upon arrival in Nadi, go through immigration, reclaim your luggage and go through customs. You will be met by your group leader after customs, then board a bus for a 2.5 hour drive along Viti Levu's southwest coast to Pacific Harbour. You'll then board a boat for the 45-minute ride across Beqa Lagoon to Beqa Island - a six square mile island with no roads. Upon arrival, you'll step out of the boat into shallow water and walk up the beach to the hotel. You'll relax in the resort's common areas while you wait for your room to become available, then check in to your home for the next four nights.
Lunch:
At the resort with coffee & tea included during seated meals. Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
After lunch those who are interested may meet at the resort pool for a snorkeling refresher class. This will be an opportunity to test your equipment and refamiliarize yourself with snorkeling. After freshening up we will gather for our Program Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Please note that the snorkeling and swimming sites described are representative examples. The selection of sites for each field trip is subject to change based on weather, tides, and other local conditions at the time. Safety is our first consideration. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities for you to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/ conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the resort with coffee & tea included during seated meals. Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
4
Morning Boat-based Snorkel, Lecture
Location:
Beqa Island
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Beqa Lagoon Resort
Activity Note
Getting in/out of small boats. Approximately 4-hour boat-based excursion with snorkeling and swimming for approximately 1-2 hours; non-snorkelers can observe from boat. Walking up to 1 mile. The selection of sites for each field trip, subject to change, will be based on weather, tide, and other local conditions at the time.
Breakfast:
At the resort with coffee & tea included during seated meals. Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
Morning:
We will board a boat with marine experts to explore the treasures of the Beqa Lagoon. Please note that due to varying weather, tide, and other local conditions, we have not specified what snorkel sites we will visit each day. The reefs off Beqa allow us to explore the variety of stages of health of coral reef. We may all wish and hope for spectacular, flawless, densely populated reefs, but the reality is that today, coral reefs are under a wide variety of stresses that threaten their health, some of which have always been there and some of which are increasingly prevalent in modern times. Coral reefs have always been threatened and damaged by tropical cyclones, but are now increasingly threatened by warming seas which result in coral bleaching. Therefore, please accept that as a part our learning experience, we will see evidence of all of these reef conditions. The snorkel sites give the opportunity to explore hard corals, soft corals (harder to see near the surface because they are more fragile), anemones, urchins, sea cucumbers, colorful sea stars, and numerous other species such as clown triggerfish, damselfish, angelfish, surgeon fish, pink and orange anthias, silver-blue fusiliers, busy cleaner wrasse, sea turtles, sharks, octopus, eels, rays, and maybe even a seahorse if you have a good eye.
Lunch:
At the resort with coffee & tea included during seated meals. Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. You may wish to explore the "house reef" - located straight out from the resort, the reef boasts healthy hard corals, numerous juvenile reef fish, rays, and even elusive seahorses hiding in the shallow eel grass. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities for other alternatives, and of course your Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. We will have a late afternoon class on the Fijian marine ecosystem and fish identification.
Dinner:
At the resort with coffee & tea included during seated meals. Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
Remainder of evening at leisure.
Day
5
Morning Boat-Based Snorkel, Lecture,Meke (Dance) Performance
Location:
Beqa Island
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Beqa Lagoon Resort
Activity Note
Getting in/out of small boats. Approximately 4-hour boat-based excursion with snorkeling and swimming for approximately 2-3 hours; non-snorkelers can observe from boat. Walking up to 1 mile. The selection of sites for each field trip, subject to change, will be based on weather, tide, and other local conditions at the time.
Breakfast:
At the resort with coffee & tea included during seated meals. Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
Morning:
Enjoy a boat-based snorkel trip to explore the Beqa Lagoon. The selection of sites for each field trip, subject to change, will be based on weather, tide, and other local conditions at the time.
Lunch:
At the resort with coffee & tea included during seated meals. Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
Free time. Afternoon lecture on Fijian Plants and their medicinal uses followed by a separate lecture on marine-based projects.
Dinner:
At the resort with coffee & tea included during seated meals. Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
We’ll observe traditional Fijian meke (dances) performed by local villagers. Meke are an expression of story-telling through dance and song. Prepare for check-out and transfer tomorrow afternoon.
Day
6
Suva Exploration, Drive to Rakiraki, Check In
Location:
Rakiraki
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Volivoli Beach Resort
Activity Note
Getting in/out of buses and boats. 1 hour drive to Suva. Walk around the city, approximately1.5 miles on paved walkways. 3 hour drive from Suva to Rakiraki, portions of the road may be unpaved.
Breakfast:
At the resort with coffee & tea included during seated meals. Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
Morning:
This morning you'll check out, bid farewell to Beqa Island, and board a boat for the 45 ride back to Pacific Harbour. You'll then board a bus for the one hour drive along Viti Levu's south coast to Suva, the capital of Fiji and the largest city in the South Pacific outside Hawaii, Australia, and New Zealand. After arriving in Suva, we'll drive by the Fijian Parliament building and the Presidential Palace on our way to the Fiji Museum, where you'll learn about Fijian history through archaeological artifacts and displays.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant with water & juice included. Specialty drinks available for purchase.
Afternoon:
Time permitting, we'll make a quick stop to explore the Suva Municipal Market. We'll re-board the bus and drive for three hours up to Viti Levu's north side from Suva to Rakiraki, passing through the countryside and small villages along the way. Arrive and check into the resort in the late evening.
Dinner:
At the resort with coffee, tea, juice, soft drinks included during seated meals. Additional specialty & alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure to relax in your new surroundings.
Day
7
Full Day Boat-Based Snorkel, Lecture
Location:
Rakiraki
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Volivoli Beach Resort
Activity Note
Getting in/out of small boats. Approximately 6-hour boat-based excursion with snorkeling and swimming for approximately 1-2 hours; non-snorkelers can observe from boat. Walking up to 1 mile. The selection of sites for each field trip, subject to change, will be based on weather, tide, and other local conditions at the time.
Breakfast:
At the resort with coffee, tea, juice, soft drinks included during seated meals. Additional specialty & alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
Morning:
This morning we’ll venture into the famous “Bligh Waters” to begin exploring the reefs of this area. The Bligh Waters are so named because Captain Bligh sailed through the area in 1789 after the famous “Mutiny on the Bounty” during which Fletcher Christian and others seized his ship, the HMS Bounty. We can expect to see beautiful hard coral reefs teeming with tropical fish while larger pelagic fish swim by. The Bligh Waters are also well-known for its soft corals, but again – as these are fragile they tend to be in deeper waters, so keep your eyes out for them in channels, gaps in the reef, and other places where they may be protected from surf and stormy conditions (Please note that there are 80 different dive/snorkel sites in this area and as with Beqa, due to varying weather, tide, and other local conditions, we have not specified which snorkel sites we will visit each day.)
Lunch:
Lunch at the resort or picnic lunch to eat on-board the boat depending on the snorkel sites.
Afternoon:
Continue all-day boat excursion. In the late afternoon we will have a lecture about marine sustainability.
Dinner:
At the resort with coffee, tea, juice, soft drinks included during seated meals. Additional specialty & alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
We’ll enjoy live music by a local band during dinner.
Day
8
Half Day Boat-Based Snorkel, Lecture, Sunset Cruise
Location:
Rakiraki
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Volivoli Beach Resort
Activity Note
Getting in/out of small boats. Approximately 4-hour boat-based excursion with snorkeling and swimming for approximately 2-3 hours; non-snorkelers can observe from boat. Walking up to 1 mile. The selection of sites for each field trip, subject to change, will be based on weather, tide, and other local conditions at the time.
Breakfast:
At the resort with coffee, tea, juice, soft drinks included during seated meals. Additional specialty & alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
Morning:
We’ll set out on a boat-based snorkeling fieldtrip and explore the nearby off-shore islands of Nananu-I-Cake, Yanuca and Nananu-I-Ra, stopping at Lomanisue Bay and another location for snorkeling and a walk along a beautiful beach.
Lunch:
At the resort with coffee, tea, juice, soft drinks included during seated meals. Additional specialty & alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
After the snorkel we will return to the resort for a marine-focused lecture. Just before sunset, reboard a boat for a sunset cruise.
Dinner:
At the resort with coffee, tea, juice, soft drinks included during seated meals. Additional specialty & alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
Free evening
Day
9
Full Day Boat-Based Snorkel, Lecture
Location:
Rakiraki
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Volivoli Beach Resort
Activity Note
Getting in/out of small boats. Approximately 6-hour boat-based excursion with snorkeling and swimming for approximately 1-2 hours; non-snorkelers can observe from boat. Walking up to 1 mile. The selection of sites for each field trip, subject to change, will be based on weather, tide, and other local conditions at the time.
Breakfast:
At the resort with coffee, tea, juice, soft drinks included during seated meals. Additional specialty & alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
Morning:
Today you'll board a boat and go deeper into the "Vatu-i-Ra Seascape" which stretches across the channel between the islands of Viti Levu (where you are staying) and Vanua Levu (the other "large" Fijian island). The Seascape's waters encompass numerous reefs which house 300+ reef-building coral species, 1,000+ fish species, dolphins, whales (seasonally), sharks, sea turtles, and a vast array of other sealife.
Lunch:
At the resort with coffee, tea, juice, soft drinks included during seated meals. Additional specialty & alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
Free time. Afternoon lecture about the environment and culture of the north side of Viti Levu.
Dinner:
At the resort with coffee, tea, juice, soft drinks included during seated meals. Additional specialty & alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
Free Evening
Day
10
Morning Boat-based Snorkel, Village Visit, Wrap Up Session
Location:
Rakiraki
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Volivoli Beach Resort
Activity Note
Getting in/out of small boats. Approximately 4-hour boat-based excursion with snorkeling and swimming for approximately 1-2 hours; non-snorkelers can observe from boat. Walking up to 1 mile. The selection of sites for each field trip, subject to change, will be based on weather, tide, and other local conditions at the time. Walking approximately 2 miles on uneven terrain during village visit. See packing notes for special attire required for village visit.
Breakfast:
At the resort with coffee, tea, juice, soft drinks included during seated meals. Additional specialty & alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
Morning:
Enjoy one final boat-based snorkel before heading back home
Lunch:
At the resort with coffee, tea, juice, soft drinks included during seated meals. Additional specialty & alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
Fiji is still largely a village-based country in which 82% of the land is owned collectively by traditional village-based families and clans. This afternoon you will visit a nearby village and start to explore village life in Fiji. Late Afternoon Final Wrap-Up Class by your Group Leader
Dinner:
At the resort with coffee, tea, juice, soft drinks included during seated meals. Additional specialty & alcoholic beverages available for purchase. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
Experience a Farewell Meke (dance performance). Finalize your preparations for tomorrow morning's check-out.
Day
11
Drive to Nadi, Program Concludes
Location:
In Flight
Meals:
B,L,D
Activity Note
2 hour and 45 minute drive to Nadi. Approximately 1 hour of walking at garden. We will check into the Fiji Gateway Hotel in the afternoon to allow time to shower and refresh before late evening flights. If your flight is departing the next day, you will be able to stay in that room overnight. Please notify info@pac-island.com if you plan to use the room overnight. Fly to continental US Regain “lost day" when re-crossing the International Date Line.
Breakfast:
At the resort with coffee, tea, juice, soft drinks included during seated meals. Additional specialty & alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
Morning:
Board bus and drive 3 hours along Viti Levu's western coast to Nadi town. Along the way we will stop and visit the Garden of the Sleeping Giant.
Lunch:
Picnic-style lunch along the way back to Nadi.
Afternoon:
We will check into rooms at the Fiji Gateway Hotel to allow time to shower, change, and repack before late night departures. Free afternoon to explore Nadi's sites of interest or rest before the overnight flight back home.
Dinner:
Farewell dinner with a soft drink at a local Nadi restaurant close to the airport. Additional specialty & alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
Transferring back to the airport concludes our program. Flights from Fiji to the Continental US typically leave late evening. Crossing the International Dateline in the opposite direction, we will have gained the back the day we “lost” at the beginning and it will be the afternoon of the same day we left! If your flight is departing the next day, you will be able to stay in that room overnight. Please notify info@pac-island.com if you plan to use the room overnight. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
Please select a day to update the map
Map details are not available for this location.
MEALS
26 Meals
8 Breakfasts
9 Lunches
9 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Nov 06, 2025 - Nov 16, 2025
- Nov 06, 2025 - Nov 16, 2025
Participant Reviews
Based on 4 Reviews
Sort By:
It was a wonderful time! Ron was a great guide. Very patient and very hands on with the group in making sure we were all comfortable. I have found a new home in Fiji. I can't wait to go back
— Review left November 17, 2024
Came to see the fish. By the end of the trip I had a greater appreciation of the coral. The people were amazing and were as a group the friendliest people I have ever encountered.
— Review left October 11, 2024
Program is appropriate for those who wish for a thorough snorkeling experience at perhaps the best snorkeling area in the world. The program studies not only the diversity and beauty of the coral reefs but also the stress corals are currently experiencing. Personally I learned a lot about programs to protect and restore this critical resource.
— Review left April 26, 2024
Fascinating Fiji was a lovely trip especially for those of us who enjoy snorkeling and marine life. The two resorts we stayed at were very different but both comfortable and lots of food!! Our group leader Ron Simpson was a native of Fiji and a marine expert and just a sweet and patient man who was always willing to find an answer to a question or concern. We had a small group of 12 so got to know one another quite quickly.
The reef life was amazing and the local people were so very welcoming and kind.
My only complaint was that persons who were not well with cold and cough symptoms did not mask up in anyway and when one person finally did a rapid Covid test (which was positive) there still was not an emphasis by the group leaders to ensure masking and isolation. As a result at least three more of us became ill and therefore following CDC guidelines I have spent the first few days of my next trip masked up/isolated and generally feeling miserable. Hopefully I will recover in time to enjoy the rest of my new trip.
— Review left February 2, 2024
