Volunteer Shark Conservation in Fiji for Teenagers

Help protect endangered sharks, earn a diving qualification, and make new friends from all over the world

Destination

Fiji

Age

15-18 y/o

Minimum Stay

2 weeks

Start Date

anytime

Accommodation

homestay

Requirements

You should be able to swim at least 200 metres.

Service Hours

What’s Included

24/7 Support

Full supervision from arrival to departure, and 24/7 back up from our global teams.

Accommodation & Amenities

Clean, safe, and welcoming accommodation. A home away from home with comfortable amenities.

Activities, Training & Equipment

All programme activities and scuba equipment, including training and workshops from experienced professionals.

Certification

Dive course qualifications and certified record of service hours, workshops, and activities for your CV.

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Starting at £2,735 for 2 weeks

Flexible 0% Interest payments

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Trip Overview

Become a certified diver

Complete your PADI Open Water or Advanced Open Water certification, gaining the skills and knowledge needed to explore the underwater world.

Support shark conservation efforts

Assist with research to monitor shark populations and raise awareness about their importance in the community, contributing to their protection.

Engage in shore conservation

Support beach clean-ups and plant mangroves, working alongside local children to protect coastlines and support marine biodiversity.

Build resilience and confidence

Step outside your comfort zone, embrace and experience a brand new culture, and gain valuable life skills that will boost your prospects.

Forge global friendships

Collaborate with other teenagers on conservation projects, fostering your teamwork skills and building friendships that will last a lifetime.

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What you need to know

Overview

If you enjoy spending time in the ocean and dream of island living, you’re cut out to be a volunteer on our Shark Conservation Teen Programme in Fiji. This project is open to adventurous teens from all corners of the globe who are passionate about protecting oceans.

Volunteer shark conservation work in Fiji for high school students will give you loads of opportunities to learn important life skills, like working closely with a team. Talk about your experience in interviews or applications, and show your ability to commit to a good cause. It will give your CV an extra edge.

You don’t require any prior experience or training. During your first week, you’ll earn your PADI Open Water certification. If you already have this, you’ll move on to an Advanced Open Water course. Our diving instructors will be with you throughout training and during each dive to ensure safety.

Aims & Impact

The main aim of the the Shark Conservation Project in Fiji is to help generate accurate scientific data. This is used to increase shark awareness among the local communities and the general public.

We started our Shark Conservation Project in Fiji in January 2014 in response to the declining shark population in this area. The Fijian government has identified shark protection as a top conservation priority. Although marine protected areas have been set up to address the decline in shark numbers, the population continues to decrease.

We also collaborate with the Mangroves for Fiji initiative to replant seedlings and ensure a healthy and sustainable mangrove forest around Pacific Harbour region.

Mangrove forests are a natural barrier for protecting the coastline against erosion, sea level changes, storm surges and tsunamis. They also support coral reef systems by providing nutrients and serve as a nursery for numerous marine species.

Apart from helping the environment, this project is also a great way for you to expand your horizons and your skill set. You will leave with a better understanding of conservation, insight into a different culture and friends from all over the world.

Activities

During your first week on the project, you focus on your diving course. By the second week, you’ll be in the water and can start doing research.

Let’s take a look at a few of the specific things you’ll do:

Complete your PADI Open Water Diving qualification
Conduct survey dives to do important research
Help with beach clean-ups and get muddy planting mangroves
Expand your horizons by experiencing Fiji and its culture

High school students volunteering with sharks in Fiji will focus on the following areas:

Learn to dive and get a PADI Open Water qualification

The first part of the project will focus entirely on getting you comfortable in the water. Those who have no diving experience will do a PADI Open Water course. If you already have that qualification, you’ll level up to Advanced Open Water.

PADI diving certifications don’t have an expiration date, so this qualification will enable you to explore underwater worlds for many years to come! Once you’ve completed your PADI training, you’ll also take part in a Shark Conservation Diver Course.

Survey dives

You’ll be conducting survey dives in different areas of Beqa Lagoon which will include a shark dive under supervision of qualified Dive Masters. You’ll be collecting important data that will be part of our global shark research.

Shore-based activities

On the tamer side of things, you will help us do beach clean-ups. Local children will join you, making it a great opportunity to talk to them about ocean conservation and share why it’s important.

You will also help plant mangroves. Mangroves provide homes to many species of plants and animals. They also play a protective role for communities and vulnerable coastlines by preventing soil erosion and providing cover from extreme weather. Mangrove reforestation plays an important role in our overall conservation efforts in Fiji.

In previous years, high school volunteers have planted approximately 2,500 mangrove propagules in the Projects Abroad nursery!

Experiencing Fiji and its culture

During your two week program, you will also have plenty of opportunities to socialise with your fellow volunteers, make new friends, and experience island life.

Staff members will be present to supervise and guide all these activities to ensure everyone’s safety throughout the programme.

Map & Location

Dive into Fiji, an archipelago of more than 330 islands in the South Pacific. With sandy beaches, blue water, and lush rainforest, it’s the very vision of the tropical paradise in your imagination.

But it’s more than that. Fiji is a melting pot of culture, with influences from Polynesia, India, and Europe. With ancient villages and even older traditions dating back 3,500 years, it is steeped in history and culture — a perfect escape for water sports, relaxation, and cultural discovery.

Pacific Harbour

The small town of Pacific Harbour, on the southern coast of Viti Levu, is a haven for thrill seekers and beach lovers alike. It has easy access to all the essentials and benefits from a tropical climate with warm temperatures and sunshine year-round.

Pacific Harbour is ideal for sun seekers, with world-class water sports, stunning beaches, and incredible natural beauty. Though it is home to only 2,000 residents, there’s plenty of places to eat, relax, and enjoy the atmosphere.

Food & Accommodation

Gaze over white sand beaches and the glistening Pacific Ocean from a Projects Abroad apartment, giving you everything you need to make the most of your Fiji trip. With a cosy bed, fresh drinking water, and three meals a day prepared by our in-house cook, you can make travelling stress-free.

Your apartment will be comfortable, safe, secure, and within walking distance of your placements. If you need to travel for pre-planned trips or work further afield, our staff will handle this for you. You will have Wi-Fi access in the common area between 6:30am and 8pm.

You will stay with other Projects Abroad participants during your stay, sharing a room with someone of the same gender and a similar age. Here, you can rest, relax, tell stories, and play games to get to know your fellow participants.

Your Arrival Made Easy

When you arrive at your respective airport, a member of Projects Abroad staff will be there to meet you. You can find more detailed information on arrival airports, orientation, and visas on our Fiji Arrival Procedures page.