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
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.
What You'll Learn
- 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Oceanic Art
A concise, cogent and colorful overview of the gorgeous art of the Pacific Islands. Organized thematically with 182 illustrations, 26 in color.
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.
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.
Fiji's Natural Heritage
A superbly illustrated, comprehensive survey of the natural history of Fiji with 500 color photos.
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.
Reef Fish Identification, Tropical Pacific
This comprehensive guide to Indo-Pacific reef fishes features 2,500 color photographs.
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.
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.
Meals
29 Meals
9 Breakfasts
10 Lunches
10 Dinners
The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Vegetarian
Lodging
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Display
- Oct 27, 2024 - Nov 07, 2024
- Sep 29, 2024 - Oct 10, 2024
- Oct 27, 2024 - Nov 07, 2024
- Jan 19, 2025 - Jan 30, 2025
5 nights
Rakiraki
Volivoli Beach Resort is a 33-room award-winning Fiji dive resort located a hill above the "Bligh Waters" - a 9500 sq km area of water located between Fiji's two main islands, Viti Levu (on which Volivoli is located) and Vanua Levu. The Bligh Waters are named for Lieutenant William Bligh who passed through these waters after the infamous 1789 mutiny of his crew aboard the HMS Bounty. Today the Bligh Waters today are reknown as one of the best dive and snorkel sites in Fiji where snorkelers will encounter a stunning variety of hard corals, plentiful colorful tropical fish of a variety of species, some soft corals, and dolphins (when we're lucky). In order to take best advantage of the area's numerous spectacular reefs, all snorkeling will be boat-based (snorkeling from Volivoli's beach often has limited visibility due to currents and local conditions, but the off-shore reefs are absolutely amazing!). Hotel rooms and facilities are spread out on a hill with limited lighting at night. Participants must be comfortable climbing up and down the hill on ramps and with stairs, and a flashlight is a must for night-time walks between the restaurant and accommodations.
5 nights
Rakiraki
Volivoli Beach Resort is a 33-room award-winning Fiji dive resort located a hill above the "Bligh Waters" - a 9500 sq km area of water located between Fiji's two main islands, Viti Levu (on which Volivoli is located) and Vanua Levu. The Bligh Waters are named for Lieutenant William Bligh who passed through these waters after the infamous 1789 mutiny of his crew aboard the HMS Bounty. Today the Bligh Waters today are reknown as one of the best dive and snorkel sites in Fiji where snorkelers will encounter a stunning variety of hard corals, plentiful colorful tropical fish of a variety of species, some soft corals, and dolphins (when we're lucky). In order to take best advantage of the area's numerous spectacular reefs, all snorkeling will be boat-based (snorkeling from Volivoli's beach often has limited visibility due to currents and local conditions, but the off-shore reefs are absolutely amazing!). Hotel rooms and facilities are spread out on a hill with limited lighting at night. Participants must be comfortable climbing up and down the hill on ramps and with stairs, and a flashlight is a must for night-time walks between the restaurant and accommodations.
5 nights
Rakiraki
Volivoli Beach Resort is a 33-room award-winning Fiji dive resort located a hill above the "Bligh Waters" - a 9500 sq km area of water located between Fiji's two main islands, Viti Levu (on which Volivoli is located) and Vanua Levu. The Bligh Waters are named for Lieutenant William Bligh who passed through these waters after the infamous 1789 mutiny of his crew aboard the HMS Bounty. Today the Bligh Waters today are reknown as one of the best dive and snorkel sites in Fiji where snorkelers will encounter a stunning variety of hard corals, plentiful colorful tropical fish of a variety of species, some soft corals, and dolphins (when we're lucky). In order to take best advantage of the area's numerous spectacular reefs, all snorkeling will be boat-based (snorkeling from Volivoli's beach often has limited visibility due to currents and local conditions, but the off-shore reefs are absolutely amazing!). Hotel rooms and facilities are spread out on a hill with limited lighting at night. Participants must be comfortable climbing up and down the hill on ramps and with stairs, and a flashlight is a must for night-time walks between the restaurant and accommodations.
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