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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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Water SportsOutdoor AdventuresSmall Group
Length
12 days
Rating (5)
Activity Level
Starts at
5,999

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12 days
11 nights
29 meals
9B 10L 10D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
2
In Transit to Program, Cross International Date Line
In Flight
3
Arrive Fiji, Transfer to Beqa, Orientation, Snorkel Refresh
Beqa Island
4
Morning Boat-based Snorkel, Lecture
Beqa Island
5
Morning Boat-Based Snorkel, Lecture, Polynesian Fire Dancers
Beqa Island
6
Morning Boat-Based Snorkel, Meke (Dance) Performance
Beqa Island
7
Suva Exploration, Drive to Rakiraki, Check In
Rakiraki
8
Full Day Boat-Based Snorkel, Lecture
Rakiraki
9
Half Day Boat-Based Snorkel, Lecture, Sunset Cruise
Rakiraki
10
Full Day Boat-Based Snorkel, Lecture
Rakiraki
11
Morning Boat-based Snorkel, Village Visit, Wrap Up Session
Rakiraki
12
Drive to Nadi, Program Concludes
In Flight
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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
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.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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Ron Simpson
Ron Simpson was born and raised in the coastal town of Savusavu in northern Fiji. Fishing has been a huge part of his life since his childhood, and his dad was a great spear fisherman. Fast forward a few years and Ron found himself studying Marine Science at the University of the South Pacific. He has worked in Fiji and across the Pacific, educating local communities’ and fisheries officers’ in marine surveys, reef ecology and climate change adaptation issues. Ron is currently a marine consultant.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Ron Simpson
Ron Simpson View biography
Ron Simpson was born and raised in the coastal town of Savusavu in northern Fiji. Fishing has been a huge part of his life since his childhood, and his dad was a great spear fisherman. Fast forward a few years and Ron found himself studying Marine Science at the University of the South Pacific. He has worked in Fiji and across the Pacific, educating local communities’ and fisheries officers’ in marine surveys, reef ecology and climate change adaptation issues. Ron is currently a marine consultant.
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Trip details subject to change
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.
Tour Length
12 days
11 nights
What's Included
29 meals
9 Breakfasts
10 Lunches
10 Dinners
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Map details are not available for this location.
Activity Note
A day is “lost” due to crossing the International Date Line.
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 a non-alcoholic beverage; other 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 a non-alcoholic beverage; other 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.
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.
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, Varied snorkel sites will give you 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 zanthias, silver-blue fusiliers, busy cleaner wrasse, lionfish, sea turtles, sharks, eels, rays, and maybe even camouflaged day octopus and a seahorse or two if you have a good eye. In addition, the impact of stress on corals due to weather and warming oceans will provide the opportunity to see and learn about hard corals in various stages of health, including those that have experienced "coral bleaching" (the loss of the symbiotic zooxanthellae that give corals their amazing colors) and as a result have died or are in various stages of recovery.
Lunch:
At the resort with a non-alcoholic beverage; other 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 a non-alcoholic beverage; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
Remainder of evening at leisure.
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.
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 a non-alcoholic beverage; other beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
Free time. Afternoon lecture introducing the local community of Beqa Island followed by a separate lecture on local marine-based projects.
Dinner:
At the resort with a non-alcoholic beverage; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
Enjoy a face-paced, exciting, Polynesian-inspired fire show with dancers twirling their fire torches.
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.
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 a non-alcoholic beverage; other beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
Free time. Afternoon lecture on Fijian Culture.
Dinner:
At the resort with a non-alcoholic beverage; other 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.
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.
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.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, 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. 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 evening.
Dinner:
At the resort with a non-alcoholic beverage; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure to relax in your new surroundings.
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.
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 a non-alcoholic beverage; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
We’ll enjoy live music by a local band during dinner.
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.
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 a non-alcoholic beverage; other 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 a non-alcoholic beverage; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
Free evening
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.
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 a non-alcoholic beverage; other 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 a non-alcoholic beverage; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
Free Evening
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.
Morning:
Enjoy one final boat-based snorkel before heading back home
Lunch:
At the resort with a non-alcoholic beverage; other 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 a non-alcoholic beverage; other 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.
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.
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 at a local Nadi restaurant close to the airport.
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!





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