Fiji is comprised of 330 islands that are spread across the glistening waters of the South Pacific. The nation is renowned for its crystal-clear water, spectacular scenery, and friendly people. Warm water, gentle currents, and countless dive sites also make it a diver’s paradise and one of the best places to check out the teeming underwater world of the South Pacific. You’ll set up base for the week at our Eco-Lodge in beautiful Momi Bay, where the diving is ideal for both newly certified and veteran scuba divers.
Grab your flippers and prepare to become one with the water. You’ll participate in up to ten dives – depending on your group and outside activities – while you’re here. More experienced divers will have the chance to venture into advanced dive sites that might include wall dives, night dives, cave dives, and drop-offs. Take advantage of Fiji’s unbeatable dive conditions and combine the Diver’s Dream program with a PADI advanced open-water course (additional cost) to upgrade your certification. Watch in wonder as an array of sea life floats before your eyes. Sharks, parrot fish, groupers, eels, octopuses, and stingrays are all common in this area, so be prepared for up-close underwater encounters.
When not exploring the majestic underwater world, our local staff will be on hand to help immerse you in traditional Fijian culture. Optional activities will allow you to set aside your flippers for a day and explore Fiji above the surface. Consider cruising the islands on an optional island-hopping day trip or skydiving from 14,000 feet. Spend your free time floating around in a kayak, playing pick-up soccer on the beach, and snorkeling to your heart’s content. In the evenings, watch the sun sink into the blue water and settle in around a campfire to chat, learn Fijian songs, and play guitar.
If you love the freedom and exhilaration of being one with the water, then this is your ultimate Diver’s Dream! Many students combine this program with one of our other awesome touring or service programs here in Fiji. Some students first do Marine and Environmental Monitoring and then join this program for more experience in Fiji’s beautiful waters.
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, get some sleep in preparation for your arrival in the South Pacific, relax with a movie or two, and get ready to enjoy the easy-going and friendly nature of the Fijians and their legendary hospitality.
Today is "lost" as you cross the international dateline, but don't worry too
much… you will get it back on your way home!
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.
In the afternoon you will have a chance to meet your PADI Dive Masters for the week and get your scuba gear sized and ready to go for tomorrow. During the evening you can unwind from your busy day with a swim in the pool or 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!
Over the next two days you will spend your time exploring the beautiful South Pacific from below. Each morning you will start off with breakfast at the Momi Eco Lodge then travel to Seashell Cove Resort where you will do your diving. 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.
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 fits your mood! How you spend your day on Sunday is up to you. You can go swimming, snorkeling or surfing at our beautiful Natadola beach, or join in the awesome optional activities that are available. Whether you choose to explore paradise while island hopping, participate in adrenaline sports, discover the world below us while scuba diving, or test your courage by sky diving, get ready for a day you will never forget.
There is still more diving to be had in Fiji as you complete your final dives. Practice doing some flips or blowing circle bubbles under water. There are still multiple dive sites that you have not visited yet so put on your mask and BCD and get ready for three more great days of diving. 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 and 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.
Well your first week has flown by like a dream and you should now be very familiar with Fijian culture 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 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. You 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 of 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 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
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.
We ask that you pack as lightly as you can. You will be expected to carry your bags and gear yourself. Please bring a backpack/daypack that you can use for day excursions. You may wish to bring two smaller bags or one large bag (we suggest not larger than 30”).
If you are connecting to other Rustic Pathways programs, please check each of their packing lists to make sure you bring any special items that might be needed.
You must wear your Rustic Pathways t-shirt when you are travelling - in the Los Angles Airport and on the plane!
There is a general packing list for Fiji programs that can be found at http://rusticpathways.com/fiji#packing-list. It will be possible to do laundry once a week on this program so please pack accordingly. Additional items for the Diver’s Dream program include:
Dive Gear: All dive gear is provided, but you are welcome to bring snorkel, mask and fins if you would like.
Make sure to bring your Dive Certification Card!
Students on our community service programs will visit kindergartens, elementary and high schools and rural village health centers during their time in Fiji. If you would like to provide additional support to these efforts, donations are greatly appreciated. Below is a list of items identified through consultation with local institutions, which are particularly needed.
We ask that if you are brining donations, you keep as close to this list as possible. This allows schools and health centers to have enough of each item to make them useful and to ensure that the items being brought are needed.
Please note that it is very costly to ship donations to Fiji after you have traveled (and we don’t encourage it), so we strongly recommend you bring any items you might like to contribute with you when you come.
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.
Students can purchase bottled water but will be supplied with safe drinking water at each location.
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.
The average trip load is 60% girls and 40% boys.
Diver’s Dream is only for students that are certified scuba divers. If you are not certified Diver’s Dream is a great add on to the Learn to Dive in Fiji program where you will obtain scuba certification. Other trips that you could add are Marine and Environmental Monitoring or Green Island Service.
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.
Students traveling on our group flights from Los Angeles will fly to Nadi, Fiji and will be accompanied by a flight leader.
From Los Angeles to Fiji is 10 hours by air.
US citizens do not need a visa for entry as a tourist into Fiji. On arrival into Fiji, immigration will issue US citizens with a tourist visa for entry into the county. No prior arrangements for US citizens are needed.
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 (http://www.cdc.gov) or World Health Organization (http://www.who.int).
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
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.
Contact Us: For more information about Fiji Diver's Dream you can email fiji@rusticpathways.com.
Ages: 14 to 18 years old
Length: 10 days from the USA
Cost: $2,195
International airfare is not included in the above cost. Please check our Travel Desk for airfare pricing and specifics.
| Departs Tue | Returns Thu | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Jun | 20 Jun | Available |
| 25 Jun | 4 Jul | Available |
| 9 Jul | 18 Jul | Sold Out |
| 23 Jul | 1 Aug | Limited |
Dates shown are inclusive of travel time from the United States. Most Rustic Pathways trips interconnect, allowing you to design your own perfect summer program.
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