Learn to Dive in Fiji

TRIP ITINERARY Learn to Dive in Fiji

Day 01 - Tuesday    
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 – Wednesday
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-Thursday
Bula!  Welcome to Fiji! 
You will immediately be greeted by our Rustic Pathways staff 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 new friends.  You will receive an orientation about the week ahead of you while overlooking sugarcane fields that seem to fall into the ocean.  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. But there is no time to waste, by mid-afternoon you will be off to experience the real Fiji and head towards the world renowned Natandola 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 or 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!

Days 04 and 05 – 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 Momi Eco Lodge then travel to Seashell Cove Resort where you will meet your dive instructors.  Other than 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 chance to see beautiful colonies of fish, sea turtles, eels, octopuses 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 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 exchanging stories from the day. There will also be various night activities planned after dinner.  One night might involve a show with traditional Fijian dances.  Another night you might find yourself back in time at an 80’s dance party.  The possibilities of fun are endless, and the staff at the Eco Lodge are always coming up with new and exciting forms of entertainment.  You will be sure to return home with many new stories about the exciting nights.
 
Day 06 – Sunday
Optional Activity Day!
Within the Fijian culture, Sunday’s 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 on Sunday is up to you.  You can go swimming, snorkeling or body surfing at our beautiful Natandola beach, take a helicopter for a beautiful island lunch, explore paradise on Beachcomber island, participate in amazing, adrenaline water sports, discover the world below us while scuba diving or discover the world above us while you sky dive! Your Sunday will be spent enjoying the wonders that Fiji has to offer in whatever way that fits your mood!  Get ready for a day you will never forget!

Day 07 to 09 – Monday to Wednesday   
Into the Open Water
Monday will mark the last day of your Open Water Scuba Certification class.   You will complete two open water dives where you will encounter many fish species and maybe even a shark or turtle. There is still more diving to be had in Fiji as you complete your final 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 circle 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, waterslide or hiking through the mangroves.  Grab a few Fijians, a volleyball and spend the afternoon playing some games or making jewelry out of coconuts.  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 some fantastic games and a dance party that will last into the night. 

Day 10 – Thursday    
Something to take home with you!
Well your first week has flown by like a dream and you should now be well and truly 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

Learn to Dive

In addition to the general Fiji Islands packing list available at www.rusticpathways.com/packinglists  all students should review the following information specific to the Learn to Dive program:

• Please make sure you have the following items:
  • Plenty of waterproof sunscreen
  • Sun hat
  • Lightweight, long-sleeve top to protect from the sun
  • Water bottle
  • Sleeping bag 
  • At least 1 nice t-shirts or short-sleeved shirt
  • Flash light or head lamp

• You will visit traditional villages during this program, where it is customary to for females to have shoulders and knees covered. Females will need at least one shirt with sleeves (nice t-shirt is fine). Traditional sulus (sarongs) will be available for students to wear. Females may wish to bring a long skirt with them, but this is not required.

• All snorkel and dive equipment will be provided for you but feel free to bring along any personal gear if you would like

Learn to Dive in Fiji – FAQ

1 - What will the accommodation on this trip be like?
Students will stay at the Eco Lodge and will be sleeping in dorm style bures with six to eight students per bure.   Boys and girls will be places in separate bures with one same sex counselor per bure.   The Eco Lodge has a main house with a swimming pool and small fitness center where the students can hang out after their daily program activities.
Showers will be heated by solar power and flush toilets are in the bures.

2 - Will the students be drinking bottled water?  
Students can purchase bottled water but will be supplied with safe drinking water at each location.

3 - What kind of food will we be eating?
The food will be cooked for the student by Fijian staff at the Eco Lodge.  There will be a fix of traditional Fijian food which includes chicken, rice and various vegetables along with some western favorites.  Please let us know in advance if you have any special dietary needs. 

4 - How many girls and boys are usually on this trip?
The average trip load is 60% girls and 40% boys.

5 - How does this program connect to other programs?
Learn to Dive in Fiji is only for students that are not certified scuba divers.  If you would like to continue your scuba adventure you can add on Diver’s Dream and spend a week diving in the Yasawa Islands. 

This program connects easily with other programs in the South Pacific, as well as our other countries.  Students who will be coming from or going to other countries will fly to and from Nadi, Fiji. 

6 - Will there be a flight leader to this country?
Students travelling on our group flights from Los Angeles will fly to Nadi, Fiji and will be accompanied by a flight leader.

7 - How long is the flight to this country?
From Los Angeles to Fiji is 10 hours by air.

8 - Do we need to get visas for this program?
No

9 - What immunizations do we need for this trip?
Rustic Pathways does not make recommendations regarding immunizations. We strongly suggest that you consult with a travel doctor or your family physician regarding immunizations before you travel. You can also find more information on the websites of the Center for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov) or World Health Organization (www.who.int).

10 - What costs are not included on this trip?
Optional activities, snacks and souvenirs are not included in the program cost.  Optional activities include;
Optional activity list in U.S. Dollars
Skydiving - $400.00
Para-sailing- $80.00
Banana Boat - $20.00
Golf – $100.00
Island Hopping – $95.00
Horseback riding - $10.00
Water skiing - $50.00
Surfing - $100.00
There are also weekend side trips for students that are staying at the base house for more than two weeks.  The cost of these programs range from $370 to $500.
11. Do I need to bring my own scuba diving gear?
It is not necessary to bring more than a swimsuit or towel as the location where we will be diving provides all equipment.  If you have a pair of goggles and snorkel and you would like to bring them it is fine.