18-Day Fiji Service & Adventure Volunteer Program for Teens

Course Description: 18-Day Fiji Service & Adventure Volunteer Program for Teens

Fiji Volunteer Program for Teens �*

Spend part of your summer in the South Pacific, combining meaningful volunteer work with island adventure in one of the world’s most beautiful and welcoming countries. On this immersive teen program in Fiji, you’ll live simply, work closely with local communities, and support projects ranging from marine conservation and reforestation to water access, sustainable farming, and kids’ after-school activities. Along the way, you’ll experience traditional Fijian ceremonies, learn new skills, and gain a deeper appreciation for both Fijian culture and your own life at home. Outside of service hours, there’s plenty of time for island adventures—ziplining, hiking sand dunes, snorkeling with manta rays, kayaking, mud baths, and more.

This program is the first 18 days of the longer 24-day Fiji Service & Adventure plus Hawaii program.

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Program Highlights ✨

• Zip-line through the canopies of Fiji’s forests.

• Experience Fijian culture with a traditional sevusevu ceremony.

• Facilitate a Kids’ Club for local children in an after-school program.

• Embrace island village life on the beautiful islands of Barefoot Manta and Naviti.

• Work with builders in Bavu Village to improve access to clean water.

• Create crafts alongside the women of Nabila Village.

• Listen and engage with the art of Fijian storytelling.

• Learn to prepare Fijian dishes and distribute them to a local women’s shelter.

• Contribute to sustainable development projects with marine biologists.

• Snorkel among manta rays in the Yasawa Islands.

• Hike, jump, and slide through the Sigatoka Sand Dunes.

• Help complete a reforestation project.

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Service Projects �*

Momi Bay & Lomawai Region – Community Development & Youth Programs

Work with local villages near the mainland base lodge on a variety of ongoing projects:

• Infrastructure & Water Access: Support efforts to improve the availability of clean water and sanitary conditions. Tasks may include excavation, block laying, painting, and basic carpentry under the guidance of skilled workers and tradespeople.

• Cultural Education & Income Generation: Meet local women who create crafts to support their families and take part in hands-on workshops. Learn traditional techniques and help produce crafts that can be sold by the village.

• Youth Leadership – Kids’ Club: Plan and lead an afternoon Kids’ Club for a local after-school program, organizing games, activities, and educational sessions for children.

• Food Security & Ecosystems: Assist at a nearby pineapple farm, helping with weeding, watering, planting, and harvesting alongside local farmers. Support reforestation efforts at the Sigatoka Sand Dunes by planting native trees to build climate resilience and protect the ecosystem.

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Somosomo Village, Naviti Island – Village Life & Farming

Immerse yourself in authentic island village life in Somosomo. Take part in a traditional welcome ceremony, explore the village, and help on the community farm by planting and harvesting crops that support local families.

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Barefoot Manta Island – Marine Conservation

Work together with a marine biologist on environmental sustainability projects. Depending on the needs at the time, you may:

• Plant mangroves

• Help with coral reef surveys and coral planting

• Assist with invasive species removal

• Conduct fish identification/counts

• Support beach cleanups and marine enrichment efforts

These projects help protect the fragile marine environment and support long-term conservation goals.

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Activities �*

Momi Bay, Fiji

Begin your journey by donning a sulu (traditional Fijian garment) and participating in a formal sevusevu ceremony to be welcomed into the community. Hike in Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park, passing coastal dunes, forested areas, and dramatic ocean views. Experience Fiji’s largest zip line and enjoy stunning aerial views as you race through the forest canopy.

Barefoot Manta Island, Yasawa Islands

Travel by high-speed catamaran to the Yasawa Islands for a true island-living experience. Snorkel with manta rays, swim in crystal-clear waters, relax on white sand beaches, and soak up the spectacular scenery. Between service sessions, enjoy time on the beach, in the water, and exploring this remote island paradise.

Nadi, Fiji

Spend your final days in Nadi reflecting on your service and adventures, sharing memories as a group, and unwinding in natural mud baths. Take part in a farewell kava ceremony and browse local markets for souvenirs to remember your time in Fiji.

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Accommodations �*

Momi Bay – Momi Bay Eco-Lodge

Stay in authentic Fijian cabins with simple rooms and modern shared bathrooms. The property includes extensive gardens, sports fields, a games room, and a swimming pool—ideal for group time and relaxation.

Barefoot Manta Island – Barefoot Manta Island Resort

Experience “glamping” in permanent tents with bunk beds and shared facilities just steps from the beach. Wake up to ocean views, fall asleep to the sound of waves, and enjoy a simple, nature-focused setting that supports marine and community-based projects.

Nadi – Tokatoka Resort

Enjoy a tropical resort setting with modern rooms, a beautiful pool, and landscaped grounds. This comfortable property is a great place to relax and close out your time in Fiji.

Accommodations on this program are a mix of hotels and simple lodges, chosen for safety, comfort, and their connection to the local environment and communities.

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What It’s Like �*

This is an immersive, hands-on volunteer program that balances meaningful service, cultural immersion, and unforgettable adventures. Teens should be prepared for simple living in some locations, a warm and welcoming local culture, and an active daily schedule filled with both work and play.

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Key Details �*

Accommodations:

Hotel and simple lodges (including eco-lodges and island glamping).

Meals:

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. Some meals are buffets or group-prepared, others are in local restaurants.

Activities:

All recreation, cultural experiences, and service projects listed in the program description.

Transportation:

Chartered, air-conditioned motor coach and ferries with professional drivers and crew.

Flights (International):

Chaperoned flights between the USA and Fiji, with connection support for travelers from other regions (details below).

Internal Flights & Extra Fees:

No internal flight surcharge is specified for this itinerary; see international flight details under Program Specifics.

Group Size:

Up to 24 participants.

Dietary Options:

Most dietary preferences and allergies can be accommodated, including vegetarian, food allergies, lactose intolerance, celiac disease, and kosher-style.

Service Hours:

Includes 45 hours of community service. A letter of completion outlining service hours and projects is provided after the program.

Local Guide:

A professional local guide accompanies the group to support learning, cultural understanding, and logistics.

Cultural Sensitivity:

This experience requires an open mind and a willingness to immerse in a vibrant new culture, try new foods, and adapt to simple and sometimes rustic surroundings.

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Program Specifics ✈️

Flights to Nadi, Fiji:

The program begins with a chaperoned flight from Los Angeles to Nadi. A chaperoned connection from New York to Los Angeles is available for participants from the New York area. Teens from other locations join at LAX, where leaders greet them and accompany them on the flight to Fiji. Crossing the International Date Line means you “lose” a day on the way there—but gain it back on the return and get the rare experience of living part of the same day twice. Participants outside North America can discuss alternative arrangements and meeting points.

Return Flight From Nadi, Fiji:

A chaperoned return flight is offered back to the USA via San Francisco or Los Angeles, with onward travel to New York. Final routing is confirmed in the spring. Travelers from other cities can arrange connections after the group clears customs and immigration in the USA.

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Meals & New Cuisines 🍽️

Meals are an important part of the experience. You’ll eat in local restaurants, enjoy buffets, and sometimes prepare food together as a group. Teens are encouraged to try Fijian and Indo-Fijian dishes while still having access to familiar options. Cooking activities may include learning how to prepare local dishes and sharing them with the community, such as at a women’s shelter.

The program has extensive experience accommodating picky eaters and those with dietary restrictions, including vegetarian, allergies, lactose intolerance, celiac disease, and kosher-style needs.

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Laundry / Drinking Water / Vaccinations �*

Laundry:

You’ll only need about one week’s worth of clothing. Laundry machines are available at program accommodations so you can do laundry during the trip as needed.

Drinking Water:

Accommodations on this program provide filtered water, and large containers of potable drinking water are available so participants can refill reusable bottles regularly.

Vaccinations:

Teens should follow CDC recommendations and consult their physician regarding vaccinations and medications for travel to Fiji. Updated guidance for this itinerary is shared in March (or upon enrollment, if later).

Community Service in the Yasawa Islands:

Barefoot Manta Island and Naviti offer a very special, remote environment. Conditions are simple—dorm-style accommodations, solar-powered electricity, and communal facilities right by the beach. For open-minded participants, these four days are often a highlight of the program, offering a rare chance to connect deeply with the Somosomo community and an untouched marine ecosystem.

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What’s Included / Not Included ✅

Included:

• All lodging

• Breakfast and dinner daily, plus 16 lunches

• All listed activities, excursions, and service projects

• Airport transfers during designated times

• Taxes and gratuities

Not Included:

• Transportation to and from the program (international flights)

• Other meals while traveling to/from the program

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

• Laundry costs

• Application fee

• Optional travel insurance