TRIP ITINERARY Learn to Dive in Fiji
Day 01 - Monday
Depart the USA
All of Rustic Pathways scheduled group flights to Fiji depart from
Los Angeles. Our carrier is Air Pacific – Fiji’s national airline. The flight each week is non-stop to Nadi International Airport and is escorted by a Rustic Pathways Flight Leader. The flight departs LAX in the evening and takes about 10 hours. During your flight take the time to get to know other students on your flight, get some sleep in preparation for your arrival in the South Pacific, relax with a movie or two and start to settle into the easy-going and friendly nature of the Fijian’s and their legendary hospitality.
Day 02 – Tuesday
In transit
Today is “lost” as you cross the international dateline, but don’t worry too
much… you will get it back on your way home!
Day 03-Wednesday!
Bula! Welcome to Fiji!
You will immediately be greeted by our Rustic Pathways staff at the airport and transported to your new home at our beautiful Rustic Pathways Eco Lodge. Here you will enjoy a tropical breakfast with your new staff and friends. You will receive an orientation about the week ahead of you while overlooking sugarcane fields that stretch out to the horizon. The staff will help you settle into your new home and answer any questions you might have. You will be given enough time to relax and unwind while getting to know your new friends.
However, there is no time to waste. By mid-afternoon you will be off to experience the real Fiji and head towards the world renowned Natadola beach for a relaxing afternoon of snorkeling, horseback riding on the beach and swimming in the beautiful ocean. Get to know your new group and trip leaders before you jump into your scuba certification class.
During the evening, you can unwind from your busy day with a swim in the pool, a friendly soccer match or simply watching the sunset from our huge deck overlooking the Pacific Ocean with some new friends. You can be guaranteed a good night sleep tonight!
Day 04, 05 and 06 – Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Scuba Certified!
Over the next three days you will complete your PADI Open Water Scuba Certification course. Each morning you will start off with breakfast at the Eco Lodge then travel to Seashell Cove Resort where you will meet your dive instructors. Along with knowing everything that goes into a successful and safe dive, you will go on four open water dives in the ocean. During each dive you will be able to apply new skills that you have learned on land. Each dive offers the change to see beautiful colonies of fish, sea turtles, eels, octopi and even sharks. The great thing about diving is that you will never have the same dive twice!
After each day of diving you will be ready for some rest. Back at the Eco Lodge, feel free to relax and exchange stories with the rest of the students at the house. Students from Sun, Sand and Service will also be at the base so spend some time sharing stories of your daily adventures.
Days 07 – Sunday
Optional Activity Day!
Within the Fijian culture, Sundays are generally observed as a day to rest, relax and enjoy the company of family and friends. Your Sunday will be spent enjoying the wonders that Fiji has to offer in whatever way that fits your mood! How you spend your day Sunday is up to you. You can go swimming, snorkeling or surfing at our beautiful Natadola beach, take a helicopter ride and enjoy a tropical island lunch, explore paradise on Beachcomber island, participate in exciting, adrenaline water sports, discover the world below us while scuba diving or discover the world above while you sky dive! Get ready for a day you will never forget!
Day 08 – Monday
Island Paradise
Today you make the move to the beautiful Likuri Island right off the south western coast of Viti Levu. Once you are settled into your spacious tents at “Rustic Camp” get ready for a day of diving. Your dive instructors will take you on a 15 minute boat ride past the wave breaks and you can then begin your decent into the ocean. It is very common to see reef sharks, sea turtles, sting rays and sea snakes at these sites. The visibility is usually around 30 meters and you can see straight to the bottom of the ocean. You will traverse along a wall of coral and be amazed as you observe and blend into this aquatic wonderland.
Once your dive has been completed we will return to the island for a large lunch and a bit of a rest before the second dive of the day begins. The second dive of the day will take you to yet another beautiful location past the wave breaks.
When you have finished your second dive it will then be time to relax after the long day. You can spend some time with the Fijians and learn how to make a bracelet out of a coconut, kayak or just enjoy the day by the ocean. The Fijians here are wonderful and really enjoy spending time with students during the day.
After dinner it will be time to enjoy an amazing Fijian dance and fire show. You will watch the Fijians as they take elements from their culture and mix it with some Samoan and Polynesian influenced dances. The fire show is an amazing look into the deep traditions that have grown from thousands of years of heritage.
Day 09 – Tuesday
Simply a Diver’s Dream
There is still more diving to be had in Fiji as you complete your final two dives. Not only will you be scuba certified but you will also know how to have some fun under water. Practice doing some flips or blowing doughnut bubbles under water. At this point in the trip you will be able to recognize many types of coral and fish just by sight and feel very comfortable under water. Make sure that you bring your underwater cameras to document all of the action that is taking place.
After your last dive of the week spend some time enjoying the beach or walking around the island. Grab a few Fijians and a volleyball and spend the afternoon playing some games or making coconut jewelry. You will be treated like family at this small island and the Fijians will certainly miss you when you depart.
Spend your last night reflecting with the other students in your group. There will be island games and a dance party that will last into the night.
Day 10 – Wednesday
Something to take home with you!
Well your first week has flown by like a dream and you should now be well-entrenched in Fiji and much of what this easy-going island nation is all about. Today is a chance to enjoy a break from your marine exploration and do some much desired shopping for souvenirs. You will get the chance to explore town and the local handy craft market for gifts and reminders of your time in Fiji.
In the evening, you will be treated to a nice final meal to conclude your wonderful experience in Fiji. This will give you some time to reminisce about your weeks adventures, exchange contact information with friends and staff and prepare for your journey home.
You will be escorted to the airport by staff where you can take some time to say good-bye and will fly back to LAX with a Rustic Pathways flight leader.
Extending your Dive Week.
Weeks Two, Three, Four and beyond….
If you’re staying longer, there will be new opportunities for service and adventure. Your understanding of Fijian culture will be better, the depth of the friendships you’ve made will be stronger and your ability to communicate, participate and contribute will be enhanced the greater the amount of time you spend here. You can continue your diving adventure by adding on the “Diver’s Dream” program, or learn more about the marine environment with a week of “Marine and Environmental Monitoring”. Trips are easy to add on so get creative when you design the summer of your dreams.
An Important Note about Schedule Changes:
Rustic Pathways reserves the right to change, alter, or amend the daily itinerary for this trip at any time. Changes can be made for various reasons including changes in flight or program schedules, changes in the schedules of various external tours incorporated in our trips, the addition of new activities into a trip, or the substitution of an old activity for a new activity. The itinerary shown here provides a good outline of the anticipated daily schedule for this program. As with any travel program, some changes may occur.
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Compuesto por 330 islas esparcidas en toda la tranquilidad del Pacífico Sur, Fiji es uno de los mejores lugares de buceo en el mundo. Los estudiantes que participen en este programa obtendrán su certificación de buceo PADI en aguas abiertas (Open Water). Te maravillaras con las aguas cristalinas mientras nadas en un océano adornado con coloridos corales y muchos peces. El archipiélago de las islas Fiji, es el tercer mayor sistema de arrecifes de coral en el mundo y sus aguas cálidas, corrientes suaves y hospitalarios habitantes hacen de este un lugar especial para bucear. 
La vida en la orilla 
