Fiji & Hawaii Adventure: Teens Volunteer Now

Course Description: Fiji & Hawaii Adventure: Teens Volunteer Now

🇫🇯 Fiji Volunteer Program for Teens (With Hawaii Finale)

Immerse yourself in real, hands-on community service in one of the most beautiful corners of the world. This teen volunteer program takes you to the South Pacific islands of Fiji, where you’ll work on meaningful projects in local villages, support marine conservation, and help run an after-school Kids’ Club — all while experiencing island life, new cultures, and serious adventure.

After your time in Fiji, the 24-day option continues on to Honolulu, Hawaii for a fun, active finale featuring surfing, hiking, and a traditional Hawaiian luau. 🌺

A limited number of participants depart on day 18 (Fiji only), while 24-day participants continue on to Hawaii.

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🔍 Program Snapshot

• Location: Fiji (Momi Bay, Yasawa Islands, Naviti Island, Nadi) + Honolulu, Hawaii (extension)

• Focus: Community service, marine & environmental conservation, sustainable development, youth leadership

• Duration: 18 or 24 days (depending on whether you add Hawaii)

• Service Hours: 🕒 Approx. 45 community service hours with certificate

• Accommodation: Eco-lodge cabins, island glamping tents, simple lodges & hotels

• Group Size: Up to 24 participants

• Style: Structured, supportive, small-group teen program with guided reflection and cultural immersion

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🌟 Why Families Love This Program

• Real impact, not “voluntourism” – teens work alongside local villagers, farmers, and marine biologists on ongoing projects

• Wide variety of service – infrastructure, clean water, food security, kids’ programming, reforestation, and marine conservation

• Deep cultural immersion – Fijian ceremonies, crafts, cooking, Indo-Fijian culture and a thoughtful introduction to village life

• Island adventure built in – ziplining, manta ray snorkeling, kayaking, sand dune hikes, mud baths and more

• Safe, chaperoned travel – all flights are coordinated by the provider, with escorted routes and clear structure

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💚 Service & Volunteer Projects

🏘️ Momi Bay & Lomawai Region – Village Life & Sustainable Development

Based near your mainland base lodge, you’ll rotate through several community projects that respond to real local needs:

Infrastructure & Clean Water

• Help skilled local workers improve access to water and sanitation

• Possible tasks: excavation, block laying, painting, basic carpentry support

Cultural Education & Income Generation

• Visit local women’s craft groups who create handicrafts to support their families

• Join workshops to learn traditional techniques and create items that can be sold by the village

Youth Leadership – Kids’ Club

• Design and lead activities for a local after-school Kid’s Club

• Run games, simple sports, arts & crafts, and fun sessions that help build confidence and English skills

Food Security & Ecosystems

• Support a local pineapple farm: weeding, watering, planting, and harvesting

• See how this crop underpins local livelihoods

• Alongside rangers, help with reforestation at the Sigatoka Sand Dunes, planting native trees to support climate resilience and biodiversity

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🏝️ Somosomo Village, Naviti Island – Community & Farm Support

Travel to Somosomo Village on Naviti Island to experience daily life in a traditional Fijian island community:

• Take part in a traditional welcome (sevusevu) ceremony

• Explore the village and learn about local customs and values

• Help on the community farm, planting and harvesting crops that feed local families

Here, the focus is on relationship-building and shared work, not just checking off service hours.

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🌊 Barefoot Manta Island – Marine Conservation & Ocean Health

On Barefoot Manta Island in the Yasawa Islands, you’ll work alongside a marine biologist on ongoing environmental projects, which may include:

• Mangrove planting

• Coral reef surveys

• Invasive species removal

• Coral planting

• Beach cleanups

• Fish identification and counts

• Marine enrichment and habitat-support activities

This is a hands-on introduction to conservation science, paired with the chance to see directly how climate change and tourism affect marine ecosystems.

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🧭 Activities & Adventure

🌴 Momi Bay, Fiji

• Wear a traditional sulu and join a formal sevusevu ceremony to be welcomed into the community

• Hike the Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park, through coastal dunes, forest and dramatic beach views

• Fly along the largest zip line in Fiji, soaring above lush forest canopy

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🐟 Barefoot Manta Island, Fiji

• Sail by high-speed ferry to the Yasawa Islands

• Snorkel with manta rays in clear, turquoise water (when conditions allow)

• Swim, relax and play on perfect white sand beaches

• Soak up classic “island time” in a remote, pristine setting

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🌋 Nadi, Fiji

• Reflect on your service during your final days in Fiji

• Relax in natural mud baths

• Join a farewell kava ceremony

• Visit local markets for souvenir shopping and last tastes of Fijian life

From Nadi, 18-day participants return home, while 24-day participants continue on to Hawaii.

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🌺 Honolulu, Hawaii (24-Day Option)

• Visit the Dole Plantation and try their famous pineapple Dole Whip

• Hike Diamond Head for panoramic ocean and city views

• Take surf lessons on Waikiki Beach with professional instructors

• Enjoy a traditional Hawaiian luau with music, dancing and island food on your final night

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🏡 Accommodation & Living

• Momi Bay Eco-Lodge (Fiji)

• Authentic Fijian cabins with simple rooms and modern shared bathrooms

• Gardens, sports fields, games room and a swimming pool

• Barefoot Manta Island Resort (Yasawa Islands)

• “Glamping” style permanent tents with bunk beds

• Shared facilities, steps from the beach

• Solar-powered electricity; simple but unforgettable island experience

• Tokatoka Resort, Nadi (Fiji)

• Tropical resort atmosphere with modern rooms, pool and landscaped grounds

• A comfortable base to rest and reflect at the end of your time in Fiji

Accommodations are chosen to balance safety, comfort and immersion. Fiji stays are more simple and rustic at times, especially on islands—ideal for teens who are open to “roughing it a little” for the sake of authenticity and impact.

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👥 Program Style & Group Life

• Max. 24 participants, travelling, working and exploring together

• Everyone rotates through all major service projects

• Structured group reflections to help teens process what they’re seeing and doing

• Staff emphasize respect, flexibility, and cultural sensitivity

• Letter of completion for 45 service hours is provided after the program

This is a great fit for teens who:

• Want genuine, meaningful service, not just “photo-op volunteering”

• Are curious about other cultures and ways of life

• Can adapt to simple, shared accommodations and different daily routines

• Love the idea of pairing impactful work with big adventure

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🍽️ Meals & Dietary Needs

• Included:

• Breakfast & dinner daily

• 16 lunches (plus some additional meals prepared as a group)

• Mix of:

• Local Fijian and Indo-Fijian dishes

• Restaurant meals, buffets

• Occasional group-prepared meals

Teens are encouraged to try local foods, while still having enough familiar options to feel comfortable.

Most dietary needs can be accommodated, including:

• Vegetarian

• Food allergies

• Lactose intolerance

• Celiac disease

• Kosher-style

Families are invited to discuss needs in advance so staff can plan accordingly.

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💧 Health, Water & Laundry

• Drinking water:

• All accommodations provide filtered or potable water

• While traveling, large containers of safe drinking water are available to refill reusable bottles

• In Hawaii, tap water is safe to drink

• Vaccinations:

• Families should follow guidance from the CDC and their own doctor

• Detailed, updated information is provided closer to departure

• Laundry:

• Pack about one week’s worth of clothing

• Teens can use on-site laundry machines at accommodations

• This keeps packing manageable while staying fresh through the trip

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✈️ Flights & Internal Flight Fee

🌍 International Flights

On this program, all airfare is arranged by Westcoast Connection to keep the group together and logistics simple.

• Flight to Nadi, Fiji (start of program):

• Chaperoned group flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Nadi

• For New York–area families, there is a chaperoned NY ➝ LA flight that connects with the group flight

• Teens from other locations meet staff at LAX and travel together to Fiji

• Because of crossing the International Dateline, you “lose” a day on the way out – and gain it back on the return

• Return flight from Honolulu, Hawaii (end of 24-day program):

• Leaders help teens check in and stay at the airport until all flights in the designated time window have departed

• Chaperoned return to New York is offered for NY-area participants

Families outside North America can contact the provider to discuss options and routing.

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✈️ Internal Flight Fee (Required, Not Included)

Separate from international airfare, there is an additional *� $785 USD internal flight fee, which covers:

• Nadi ➝ Honolulu (for the Hawaii extension)

This fee is not included in program tuition and must be paid separately.

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💼 What’s Included & Not Included

✅ Included in Tuition

• All lodging in Fiji and Hawaii

• Breakfast & dinner daily, plus 16 lunches

• All listed recreation, excursions & activities (ziplining, manta ray snorkeling, luau, etc.)

• Airport transfers in designated time windows

• Gratuities & taxes related to program activities

❌ Not Included

• Transportation to and from the program (international flights)

• Internal Nadi–Honolulu flights (approx. $785 USD extra)

• Lunches in Hawaii and some meals while traveling

• Snacks & personal spending money (souvenirs, extra treats, etc.)

• Laundry costs

• Application fee

• Optional travel insurance (strongly recommended)