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.
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12 days
11 nights
29 meals
9B 10L 10D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
4
Morning Boat-based Snorkel, Lecture
Beqa Island
12
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 Water, 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
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.
Coral Reef Fishes
This compact handbook features 2,500 illustrations of shallow-water fishes around the world.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ocean Duets
This stunning portfolio of sea life celebrates the ocean's biodiversity with great color photographs and informative text.
Fiji's Natural Heritage
A superbly illustrated, comprehensive survey of the natural history of Fiji with 500 color photos.
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.
Lonely Planet Fijian Phrasebook
This handy pocket phrasebook includes pronunciation, basic grammar and essential vocabulary.
Reef Fish Identification, Tropical Pacific
This comprehensive guide to Indo-Pacific reef fishes features 2,500 color photographs.
Oceanic Art
A concise, cogent and colorful overview of the gorgeous art of the Pacific Islands. Organized thematically with 182 illustrations, 26 in color.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
