Marine and Environmental Monitoring

Explore Fiji and help preserve its stunning natural resources and unique ecosystems

Fiji is home to the third-largest reef system in the world and thousands of exotic marine species. Most tourists who come to this island nation dive in its warm waters and enjoy its marine life without ever considering the fragile state of the underwater world in which they are swimming. Your trip to Fiji will be more meaningful than a simple island tour. You’ll learn about the issues that threaten the reef system and lend a hand to help preserve it. You will see life beneath the surface that depends on the reef for survival, and the work you do on land will help ensure this underwater world’s lasting survival.

The Secrets of the Sea
Your introduction to Fiji’s magnificent marine environment will start on a breathtaking boat ride through the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands. When you reach Malakati Beach – home base during your time here – you’ll receive an introduction to the local reef system and learn about the very real threats this fragile marine environment faces.

The first thing you’ll need to learn is how to use a Global Positioning System (GPS) device, which is used to map the miles of underwater reefs. Once you’ve mastered the GPS, grab your snorkel and head for the reefs around the Yasawa Islands. In addition to using a GPS, you’ll help clean the reefs of foreign objects that may be causing harm and take population counts of indicator fish species, the abundance of which helps scientists gauge the health of the reef. You’ll work hard, but don’t forget that you’ll also be snorkeling with exotic fish, squid, sea turtles, and stingrays in one of the world’s most beautiful reef systems. This is a truly beautiful and ecologically responsible program!

Sit Back and Relax
Take a break from marine monitoring and relax island style while enjoying beautiful Malakati Beach. Take a kayak out for a paddle, go windsurfing, or spend an afternoon playing with the village children. Our Base is close to Malakati Village, and you can wander over to meet locals and immerse yourself in relaxed island life. Learn how to spear fish for dinner, cut open coconuts, or just sit back and enjoy the sunset.

Those with an adventurous spirit will also be able to take part in optional activities throughout the week. Hike to the tallest point on Nacula Island, where you will enjoy a view of the entire Yasawa Island group, take a trip to explore legendary local caves, or spend a day scuba diving.

Who Should Come?
Marine and Environmental Monitoring in Fiji is an exciting mix of science and sun suitable for anyone interested in the marine environment. Whether you are unfamiliar with ocean life or you have already taken marine biology, you will love this week of research and relaxation. Come prepared to swim and snorkel in the ocean, but don’t fret if you’ve never pulled on a mask or pair of flippers. Your trip leaders will guide you through the process and make sure you know what you’re doing before you get in the water.

This trip connects easily with all of our South Pacific programs

For questions regarding this program please contact us at fiji@rusticpathways.com.

Itinerary

TRIP ITINERARY Marine and Environmental Monitoring

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 start the journey of a lifetime. After hoping off a plane you will spend the day morning participating in orientation on the beach and getting to know the other students in your group. In the afternoon it will be time to do some service and you will head to a local beach for a bit of beach clean up. Fiji has no system in place for trash collection, so the public beaches acquire quite a bit of trash. By participating in a beach clean up you will be improving the aesthetic of the beach as well as removing potentially harmful materials from the ocean.

Day 04 - Friday
This morning you will hop into a car then onto a boat for a 4 hour ride through the breathtaking Yasawa Islands. Pass by some of the most beautiful islands in the world while enjoying a nice cold ice-cream bar and talking with your new friends. The last stop in the Yasawa Islands in Nacula Island and that is what you will call home for the next six days.By the time you reach Nacula Island there will be a village waiting to meet you with open arms. Lunch will be waiting for you after you unpack all your belongings. After lunch you will have time to explore the island and then have a small lesson on the local marine life. Then you will learn the basics of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) during a fun scavenger hunt.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 05 to 06 – Saturday to Sunday
Marine Research at its Finest
For the next two days you will spend the majority of your days in the water participating in various types of marine conservation efforts and observational research. Before you set out each day your counselor will go over a short lesson regarding the various types of reefs that you will be encountering and what types of fish species that you would expect to see. Some of the projects that you will be participating in include coral clean up, fish counts and identification, invertebrate counts and identification, and reef mapping.When you have finished your work for the day it will then be time to enjoy the island and everything it has to offer. You can spend some time with the Fijians and learn how to make a bracelet out of a coconut, kayak, play with the young villagers or relax on the beach. Each evening you will have the chance to participate in multiple activities. Sometimes the village gathers to celebrate the work you are doing with traditional dances (meke), another night you might watch the flames of a roaring beach bonfire, or you might just lie on the beach take in the amazing blanket of stars in the sky and have the chance to identify some of the constellations in the Southern Hemisphere. One evening your group will organize and put on a small show or skit for the village. This always ends up being a very entertaining evening with much humor and frivolity! The nights are always a wonderful spectacle of traditional Fijian culture, laughter and fun.

Day 07 – Monday
Optional Activity Day!
Today is an exciting day away from service and learning. On this day you have the ability to pick an optional activity and strike out on an exciting adventure. Some of the optional activities that you can choose to include, scuba diving or island hopping. You can spend the day exploring other areas of the Yasawa Islands. If you feel like spending the day on the beach feel free to hang back at Nacula Island and hang out with the villagers of Malakati or relax on the beach and snorkel.

Day 08 and 09 – Tuesday and Wednesday
The ocean exploration continues!
After a relaxing day of optional activities it is time to get back to work and continue with your last day of marine service.

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 surveys 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 Marine Survey Week.
Weeks Two, Three, Four and beyond….
If you’re staying longer your weeks will remain much the same as your first week but no day is exactly the same in Fiji so 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. Fiji has a way of seducing you and these islands have captivated many a visitor. To find a place with the degree of friendliness that the locals possess, the natural beauty that this country encapsulates, melded with the easy-going and peaceful pace of life that the locals adhere to can be wonderfully refreshing and incredibly enticing. Your staff will encourage you to enjoy all that this program has to offer and we hope that the quality and range of projects, personalities and activities you experience only make you want to stay longer!

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

Marine Research and Environmental Monitoring

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 Marine Research and Environmental Monitoring 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 2 nice t-shirts or short-sleeved shirts
- Flash light or head lamp
- Note book and pen

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

Donations for Fiji Island Service Projects

Students on our community service programs will visit kindergartens, elementary and high schools and rural village health centers during their time in Fiji. We have undertaken the support and renovation of libraries in many of the schools we visit and provide basic school supplies whenever possible to ensure that students have the tools they need for their education. At rural health centers and in villages, we work to provide basic medical items that are often in short supply to the general public. 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. If you have questions about donations for Fiji please contact ann@rusticpathways.com.

Schools Donations
Sport Needs

soccer/rugby/volleyball balls
Nets for soccer/volleyball
ball pump
indoor board games
Card games
Rugby boots or soccer shoes

Library Needs

Story books
Educational DVD’s-CD’s , Tapes
Educational Magazines

Classroom Use

Any teaching material – pictorial poster boards for charts
science equipment
blackboard erasers
chalk
Newsprint
whiteboards
motivational stickers
stamps
3x5 index cards

Computer Room
1. Computer Donations
We are working to donate computers to schools throughout Fiji, where most children have never had access to a computer before. If you are interested in finding about more about this initiative or donating a new or used computer, please contact Ann Fuller at ann@rusticpathways.com.
2. Educational software

Music and Art Classes

Music instruments
Music cassettes and CDs for Kindergartens and primary schools
Art materials-paints, paint brushes, glue, scissors, construction paper, white paper
Scissors

Donations for children’s personal use

Backpacks
White collared shirts for use with school uniforms
shoes
pencils/pens
erasers
portable pencil sharpeners
folders for homework

Teacher Resources

Phonics Cards
Phonics Activity Books
Audio Video Aids – Rhymes and Jingles
Elementary books on tape- with books

First Aid for schools

first aid kit
bandages

Medical Donations
This list includes items that are readily available at you local drugstore/pharmacy and will be donated to rural village health centers.

Pain Relievers (Tylenol, Motrin or Advil or generic versions)
Children’s Tylenol
Antacids (Tums, Pepcid)
Anti-diarrheals (Imodium)
Pedialyte or Gatorade powder
Prenatal Vitamins
Anti-biotic ointment (Neosporin)
Hydrogen peroxide, betadine, alcohol swabs or pads
Gauze (4x4 pads, regular and non-stick, and Kerlix)
Bandages
First Aid Tape
Ace bandages
Slings
Medical Gloves
Face masks
Thermometers
Linens (twin bed and standard pillow cases, white)
Microscopes, stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs
Crutches, canes

Marine and Environmental Monitoring – FAQ
1 - What will the accommodation on this trip be like?
Students on this program will be staying on the island on Nacula. The tents will be equipped with a mattress and linens are is quite comfortable. Boys and girls will be places in separate tents with the counselors sleeping in adjacent smaller tents. There will be a separate area for eating and three large bures with multiple activities in each one where students can hang out after they return from their daily activities. Showers will be heated by solar power and flush toilets will be right outside the tents.

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 staff from both islands. There will be a fix of traditional Fijian food which includes chicken, rice and various vegetables.

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?
Other trips will be running on Nacula Island so you can easily add a week of scuba diving , with Diver’s Dream or a week of community service with Malikati Magic. 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?
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

9 - What immunizations do we need to get for this trip?
All Rustic Pathways students are required to have an up-to-date tetanus shot. We suggest Hepatitis A and B and Typhoid vaccinations and recommend that you consult a doctor regarding immunizations for travel to the region. You can find additional information on immunizations for travel from the US Center for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov.

10 - What costs are not included on this trip?
Optional activities, snacks and souvenirs are not included in the program cost. Optional activities include;
Visit to caves: $30
Island hopping: $100
Massage: $45 per hour
Wake boarding/ tubing: $30
Scuba diving - $100 – $150 (depending on if you are scuba certified)
Souvenirs and snack food: $20-$200

11. Do I need to bring my own snorkeling gear?
It is not necessary to bring more than a swimsuit or towel as the locations where we will be diving provide all equipment. If you have a pair of goggles and snorkel and you would like to bring them it is fine.

12. Do I need to bring a notebook?
Students will be given a journal at the beginning of the program that they will be log their data in. If they think that they would like to take notes on the various new animal species that they will discover then a small notebook would be recommended

Departs Tuesday	Returns Thursday
15 June	24 June
29 June	8 July
13 July	22 July
27 July	5 August

TOURING + ADVENTURE

COMMUNITY SERVICE

LANGUAGE PROGRAMS

LIFE SKILLS

Marine and Environmental Monitoring

Itinerary

HIGHLIGHTS

TRIP DETAILS