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Fiji Islands

Marine Service and Adventure

16 days | Ages 14-18 | Summer 2026 | Fully Supervised | 4.9 on GoOverseas | International flights not included

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Explore the world’s third-largest coral reef system and thousands of marine species in Fiji. Get a head start on your career in marine or animal conservation by tracking fish populations, monitoring the health of various reef habitats, and observing marine life behavior. Then help with development projects that contribute to the ecological balance of this aquatic wonderland. Your hard work will be rewarded with snorkeling trips alongside manta rays, exotic fish, and sea turtles in this stretch of reef. Visit majestic sand dunes and kayak with your new friends along the coast before parting ways.

Program Tuition

$5,295

Excluding flights.
Financial aid and scholarships available.

Summer sessions typically fill by March

No departures scheduled

Scott Ingram

Scott Ingram

Director of Admissions

At Rustic since 2018

Not sure yet?

Email Rustic Pathways

Talk to a personal travel advisor: +1 (440) 975-9691

Schedule a call

View program itinerary

What Does a 16-Day Program Include?

A typical program. Daily activities are subject to change based on group logistics and weather.

1

Depart for Fiji!

Arrive at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) where you’ll meet your Rustic Pathways Flight Leader, who will help get you checked in and through security before traveling with your group to Fiji. Get acquainted with fellow Rustic travelers before boarding your flight.
2

In Transit

Today is lost as you cross the International Date Line. Not to worry, though–you’ll get it back when you return.
3

Welcome to Fiji!

Bula! Arrive at Nadi International Airport (NAN) and meet your Program Leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Head to the Island of Kuata and settle in, relaxing after your long flight. Join the group for an orientation discussion about the week ahead, expectations for your adventure, and an introduction to the local culture. For the next 3 nights you will stay in Kuata. Students will sleep in dorms separated by gender and will have access to electricity, flush toilets and showers.
4-5

Marine Service at Kuata Island

During the next two days, spend the majority of your time in the water participating in various types of marine conservation efforts and observational research with local marine biologists. Before you set out each day, your leader will give a short lesson on the various types of reefs that you will be encountering and the types of fish species you can expect to see. Certified scuba divers will also have the opportunity to join an add-on shark dive with Kuata’s resident shark researcher. Some of the projects that you will be participating in include coral cleanups, fish counts and identification, crown of thorns sea star removal, invertebrate counts and identification, coral gardening, and reef mapping. Your initial research and collection of data will aid in setting up and extending a Marine Preservation Area in the Yasawa Islands.
6

Head to Somosomo Village

Enjoy a final snorkel in the morning at Kuata and then pack up and get ready to board the Yasawa Flyer again at late morning. Arrive at lunchtime to your new home of Naviti Island and Somosomo Village. When you arrive, there will be a village ready to welcome you with open arms. After lunch, you will present a traditional sevusevu to the Chief and go on a village tour to meet the people your service will directly be affecting. Once you have finished in the village, throw on your swimsuit, snorkel, and fins and head out to explore the exotic marine habitats of Naviti Island. You can often spot a multitude of fish, squid, and rays. If you are not up to snorkeling, spend time relaxing in the sun or pull out a kayak and paddle through the aqua waters. The evening will consist of a welcome ceremony and lesson on Fijian traditions. You will spend the next 4 nights in Somosomo. Students will be sleeping on a comfortable cot in a large safari tent, separated by gender, meters from the beach. There will be cold showers and a low impact compost toilet for use. There will not be electricity.
7-9

Marine Service

The next three days of service will be both in the water and on land and will focus on creating a more sustainable marine environment. Along the way you will get to know the kind-hearted locals from Somosomo village. This island village has a population of approximately 350 people and still maintains strong cultural traditions. Each morning after breakfast, your group will continue with its community service projects. In the village, work on construction projects that impact the health and environmental standards of the island. Help plant mangroves, monitor sea grass growth, and contribute to a large-scale environmental initiative to make the mudflats near the village more productive. In addition, help the young children at the local primary school gain greater knowledge of the marine environment that surrounds their home. Afternoon activities will depend on your group’s progress, and several afternoons may also be spent working. When not participating in service, go on a kayak adventure, take a sunrise hike, play volleyball with the locals, or enjoy interesting conversation and laughs with local villagers over afternoon tea. Most days end with an incredible Fijian sunset. In the evening, join the villagers to celebrate new friends with a traditional Fijian dance called meke, or enjoy a bonfire on the beach while admiring the constellations of the Southern Hemisphere. The nights are always a wonderful spectacle of traditional Fijian culture, laughter, and fun.
10

Head back to the Mainland

Wake up early and join in on a final sunrise hike over the hills that you have begun to call home. Finish up your service projects before packing up to head back to the mainland in the afternoon. Say goodbye to your new family and remember that you will always be welcomed back into the tiny village of Somosomo. After your boat ride back to the mainland, enjoy some of Fiji’s best pizza before heading back to the Eco-Lodge to prepare for the next leg of your journey. Join your group for a post-service debrief in the evening, discussing what you experienced and learned through hands-on work in the community. Get a shower and a good night’s sleep before you set off to explore the mainland the next morning! The next 3 nights will be spent in our South Pacific Eco-Lodge Base. Students will stay in small houses that sleep eight to ten on bunk-beds, separated by gender. Each house has an attached bathroom with solar powered hot water showers, sinks, and flush toilets.
11-12

Coastal Kayaks and Momi Bay

After breakfast, head out onto the ocean for a half-day kayaking adventure. You will get to explore the river system that flows from Fiji’s mountains down to the coast. Explore Fiji’s coastal mangrove channels as you float through this aquatic exploration adventure. You will continue to learn about the ecosystems that are critical in the Fijian environment and make the islands one of the most diverse areas in the world. Spend the next two days helping us with marine conservation initiatives right in the home of our South Pacific Eco-Lodge Basehouse, Momi Bay. Through new partnerships with local communities, we are working to collect data that will help us improve the marine environment in our own backyard. The lessons you’ve learned from your time at both Kuata and Somosomo will come in handy as we work to bring these practices to Momi Bay.
13

Sand Dunes and Eastern Viti Levu

After a good night’s rest, you will embark on a coastal drive to the Eastern side of Viti Levu. Before you reach your boat transfer to Beqa Island, hike the unique Sigatoka Sand Dunes, where four miles of windswept mountains of sand unfold along the coast. The area has been granted protected national park status and is administered by the National Trust of Fiji. In addition to admiring the towering hills of sand that lead straight into the ocean, you can sometimes find pottery shards from the Lapita Era (1,000 years ago) that were buried by drifting sands. Your time on this side of Fiji will be spent exploring the coastal ecosystems of this area and the impact of tourism on this pristine environment. Your last 3 nights will be spent on Beqa Island. Students will sleep in dorm-style rooms separated by gender. Students will have access to electricity, flush toilets and solar-powered showers.
14-15

Ecotourism at Beqa Island

Your last two days will be spent on Beqa Island, just off the coast from Fiji’s capital, Suva. Between snorkel trips and lessons on traditional Fijian sailing techniques, you will have discussions exploring sustainable ecotourism practices and begin to understand the pressures of limited resources on an island. You will examine the various industries on the Eastern coast and learn about different initiatives companies are taking to make more positive environmental impacts. At the end of each program, students reflect on their experiences and the issues they engaged with, and talk about how to apply this new understanding to their own worlds. During or after their closing discussion, groups participate in Rustic Ties, a unique and powerful activity that allows students to capture the memories and learning moments of their program to process and share with their communities back home.
16

Moce, Fiji!

After breakfast, board boats back to the mainland and make your way to Sigatoka town for lunch and another glimpse of Fijian city life. Your Program Leaders will take you to the airport for your flight home or to your next Rustic program as you say goodbyes and reflect on your adventure. If you’re staying in Fiji, your Program Leaders will take you to your next accommodation to meet your new group. If you're continuing on to another Rustic Pathways destination, you’ll board a connecting flight to that country.

Total: 16 calendar days / 15 nights. International flights are not included.

How Does Rustic Pathways Handle Safety?

24/7 Support

In-person staff + US emergency line

7:1 Student-to-Leader Ratio

Background-checked, first-aid certified, deep local knowledge

Licensed & Insured Transport

Risk management plans for every program

Gender-Separated

Rooms with staff on site

Learn more about Rustic Pathways safety protocols.

Fiji

What Do Parents Ask?

Flights & Cost

How do flights work?

Students join a chaperoned group flight from a U.S. gateway airport. A Rustic Pathways Flight Leader travels with the group. International students arrange independent flights and Rustic Pathways coordinates airport pickup.

What's included in the price?

Included: Lodging, all meals, in-country transport, all activities, 24/7 staff.
Not included: International airfare, travel insurance, personal spending ($150–200).

Do you offer financial aid or scholarships?

Yes. Monthly payment plans are available for all families, and Rustic Pathways offers both need-based financial aid and merit scholarships. Explore scholarships and financial aid

Is travel insurance required?

Travel insurance is not included in the program fee. Rustic Pathways recommends that families purchase travel insurance. Get a quote from our recommended provider →

Supervision & Safety

Who's supervising my child?

Rustic Pathways Program Leaders complete a four-month vetting process, and programs maintain a 7:1 student-to-staff ratio. All Program Leaders are first-aid certified, and most have led multiple Rustic Pathways programs. Leaders range from 25 to 35 years old.

Are rooms gender-separated?

Yes. Students room with same-gender peers. Staff stay in adjacent rooms.

What about medical emergencies?

All Program Leaders are first-aid certified. Nearest hospitals are mapped out in all locations. Our health & safety team reviews all medical forms before departure and works with families to plan medications, allergies, and dietary needs.

Communication

Can I reach my child?

Yes. Students can call, text, or WhatsApp during free time. Parents can reach Rustic Pathways’ 24/7 emergency line at any time.

How will I know they're okay?

Parents receive daily photo updates throughout the program from staff on the ground.

What is the phone/device policy?

Students may bring phones but cannot use them during group activities or meals. Wi-Fi is available at most accommodations.

Group & Logistics

How big is the group and how old are the participants?

Groups are typically 12-20 students per session. Students are ages 14-18, with most being 15-17.

Can international (non-U.S.) students join this program?

Yes. Students from 50+ countries join Rustic Pathways programs each year. International students book their own flights and Rustic Pathways coordinates airport pickup.

Do students come with friends, or on their own?

Most students travel solo without knowing anyone. Program Leaders run ice-breakers on day one, and friendships form quickly. Friends are welcome to enroll together.

What is the accommodation like?

Students stay in locally operated lodging with shared rooms accommodating 2-4 students. Accommodations include private bathrooms and common areas.

Can friends room together?

Yes. Roommate requests are accepted during enrollment.

Program Details

Will my child have unsupervised time?

Students have structured independence during free-time blocks with staff always nearby. There is no unsupervised time in public areas.

Can you accommodate dietary needs & food allergies?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and common food allergies are accommodated with advance notice. Dietary needs are collected during enrollment.

How much spending money?

$150-200 recommended for souvenirs and incidentals. Tipping is included in the program fee.

Do we need a visa?

Visa requirements vary by passport and destination. Contact a Rustic Pathways travel advisor for guidance specific to your student’s nationality.

Support

What if my child gets homesick?

Homesickness is common in the first few days. Rustic Pathways staff are trained to support students through it. Read more about managing homesickness

Do you support neurodiverse students?

Rustic Pathways welcomes all students and works with families to provide appropriate support. Learn about Rustic Pathways’ approach to inclusion

What Should Parents Know?

Which students thrive on this program?
Students who are curious, adaptable, and open to new experiences. No prior travel experience is required.
What will students do each day?
Each day includes a mix of structured activities, cultural experiences, and group time. See the itinerary above for a day-by-day overview.

Fiji Islands offers a unique combination of cultural richness, safety, and meaningful engagement opportunities for student groups. Rustic Pathways has operated programs here for years and maintains strong local partnerships.

Meals: All meals are included. Local cuisine is featured throughout the program. Dietary needs are accommodated with advance notice.

What is the refund policy?
View terms & conditions

Included:

  • All lodging
  • All meals
  • In-country transport
  • All activities and excursions
  • 24/7 staff support

Not included:

  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal spending money

What Other Program Types Are Available?

Fiji Islands Oceania 2026
Get Notified