Description

With world-class diving, beautiful islands, rich history and unique cultures, the South Pacific is a destination like no other. Dive on breathtaking reefs, pinnacles and walls to discover intensely colored corals, giant humphead Napoleon wrasse, banded sea snakes, black tip and white tip reef sharks and sea turtles. Explore haunting WWII wrecks and drift over bombers still intact after 50 years. Marvel at schools of pygmy manta rays cruising across the sand flats.

After two or even three incredible dives a day, there is still time to play volleyball, enjoy the beach, paddle in sea kayaks or just hang out with new friends. Take a guided eco-trek up to majestic waterfalls, walk along rugged shores and hike through dense jungle terrain with towering rubber trees. Visit a Fijian village where gracious locals treat us to a proper welcome with a lovo, a traditional Fijian meal cooked completely underground. Share a bowl of kava with the village chief. In the Solomons, explore deserted islands, historic WWII bunkers and the site where John F. Kennedy was marooned after the sinking of his torpedo boat, the PT-109. Throughout the adventure, friendly islanders share their tales of days gone by.

Day 1-8:
Venture over the international dateline to the Solomon Islands, where our South Pacific quest begins. Ready for underwater adventure, we plunge below to discover Munda's sensational underwater realm. Shark Point, Mushroom Island and WWII sites such as the Kasi Maru and the Douglas Dive Bomber will take your breath away. During our surface intervals, we visit historical landmarks including a battery of WWII anti-aircraft guns and an abandoned U.S. Stuart Tank. Learn about the rainforest from a local expert on a guided jungle walk. Paddle traditional wooden canoes and enjoy performances of traditional traditional Melanesian dance. Spend an afternoon relaxing, playing Frisbee and racing hermit crabs on a palm fringed beach.

Day 9-12:
Travel by boat to Lola Island to play in the blue water and enjoy a delicious lunch on a beautiful white sand beach. Next stop is an eerie tour of Skull Island - a visit back to headhunting times where we see a shrine to local chiefs and warriors. Head to Gizo and dive Grand Central Station and Hot Spot for a dizzying array of brightly colored tropical fish. At Inside-Out Passage we find majestic rays, sharks and tons of turtles. Between dives, take an afternoon to explore the colorful markets in town and hunt for souvenirs and snacks.

Day 13-16:
Ready for some of the coolest wreck diving in the South Pacific? Venture below to explore a WWII US Hellcat fighter plane and the Toa Maru, an intact 446' Japanese transport sunk by an American Wildcat in 1943. Encounter an abundance of big fish and sea animals - manta rays, eagle rays, sharks, tuna and sea turtles. Spend a day in the village of Saeraghi learning the traditional Solomon ways of life. Weave a basket from palm leaves, crack open a fresh coconut, challenge the villagers to a game of soccer or play on the beach with the village children& This is definitely a trip highlight!

Day 17-20:
We continue our South Pacific adventure on the islands of Kavadu, the fourth largest island in Fiji, yet off the beaten path. We set up base at Waisalima Eco-Lodge. Traditional thatched huts are nestled in a tropical rainforest with white sandy beaches, welcoming villages, cascading waterfalls and spectacular diving only minutes away. Dive below to discover the intense density of colors and natural beauty of the Great Astrolabe Reef, the fourth largest barrier reef in the world.

Day 21-24:
We fine-tune our drift diving skills and float effortlessly past the brilliant soft corals of the world-renowned Eagle Rock, named for its schools of resident eagle rays, and Cabbage Patch, home to one of the world's largest cabbage coral patches. Discover an abundance of marine life at Golden Chimney, a large coral structure completely covered in golden soft corals that illuminate the entire area when blooming. Take a day off to do some ocean kayaking, snorkeling or exploring. Swim under towering waterfalls and go on a "teitei" walk with a local medicine man to learn about the flora of Fiji. As we look back on our adventures together, everyone agrees that the diving has been outrageous and the people we've met along our journey have made for an unforgettable experience.

Highlights

* Intensive scuba diving adventure in a spectacular underwater world
* Dive on WWII wrecks and brilliantly colored reefs
* Earn multiple PADI certifications
* Hike through rainforests to majestic waterfalls
* Cultural and historical exploration including village stay
* 8 Hours of community service
* Grades 9-10 or 11-12; prerequisite: scuba certification

Travel Types

• Hiking
• Homestay
• Native Culture Studies
• RainForest Tours
• Scuba
• Snorkeling

Type of Programs

• Adventure Travel

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Call for details

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 10-14

Typically The Application Process Time is

1-3 days

Year Founded

1993