Adventure Tours in Fiji

Everything about this trip was amazing! The counselors were very nice and had amazing stories to share. It was so fun getting to meet other teenagers from around the US and even from different countries. It was such an amazing opportunity to be able to understand the culture of another country. My parents were both pleased with the level of communication coming from the counselors and the program as well. All information was explicitly given and easy to follow. I learned a lot on this trip about culture, the ocean, and myself.

From Australia’s tranquil beaches and its bright skyline, to New Zealand’s incredible landscape, to Fiji’s turquoise water, this trip was the ultimate getaway for teens trying to explore new parts of the world and interact with people from all walks of life. The itinerary was filled with opportunities to see new wildlife and tropical fish, adorable seals and whales. The experience will never be matched.

This was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever done in my entire life. I would say with confidence that I had learned more during this 10 week program than I have in the two years of college that I have already attended.

I went on the polynesian gap year journey not knowing exactly what to expect. I remember a day before it hit me that i would be spending 10 weeks with complete strangers. However, these were some of the best people I have met and best friends for life. There were many experiences that one would unlikely ever experience without doing a programme as such and i therefore highly recommend it. Many people were put out of their comfort zones and had to take risks which caused them to growth as an individual.

My Polynesian journey with Pacific Discovery has helped me get over a lot of my fears and anxiety around social interaction and relationships as well as my physical fears and it has really helped me to grow as a person

Literally the time of a lifetime, never experienced something like this ever, and even though I’m young this will be something I will 100% tell my kids about. So much happened in only 10 weeks it’s hard to even fathom.

My daughter just returned from her trip to Australia and Fiji. She said the group became very close and that, miraculously, all 15 of them got along and appreciated each other. She loved her leaders, she said they were fun but also good about letting them know the boundaries. In fact, my daughter mentioned that the Fiji guide told the group that they always love to have ARCC on the island bc the group is the most respectful of the teen groups. ARCC seems to attract a service-minded, community-minded teen. This is our third trip with ARCC and we couldn't be more pleased with the resulting mindset, memories and friends that our daughter has when she returns home. We love the no cell phone policy, and our daughter has said that it has been so nice to unplug. She said it forces the group to bond, sing songs, do skits, and be goofy bc they don't have any other choice but to be social with each other. My daughter didn't end up getting her diving certification as she panicked in the water training at the last minute, but they accommodated the change by letting her snorkel and stay on the boat with the group so she didn't miss out. Fantastic trip. I did ask my daughter to tell me which trip with ARCC has been her favorite so far, and she said, they are all so different that she can't compare. She attended the Costa Rica La Pura Vida, Ecuador and Galapogos and now Australia and Fiji. She is already ready to select her next trip.

Being a student on Sea|Mester was the most incredible experience of my life. I did the South Africa to Antigua voyage on Vela, and it exceeded any and all expectations I could have possibly had. I got to visit places that I never thought I would get to go. I met people that started out as strangers, but quickly became family to me. Prior to Sea|Mester, I had very little sailing experience and no diving experience and I think that that is a common turn off for people that come across this program, but you have no need to be worried if you're in that boat (haha). The staff does an exceptional job teaching you the ropes, making you feel safe, and making you feel like the boat is your home. If you're a hands on learning that thrives on getting outside of your comfort zone, adventure, and travel then this program is for you. I can not effusive enough how much Sea|Mester and my crew changed my life. If you're presented with the privilege to be a student on Sea|Mester... do it. If Sea|Mester taught me anything, it's to say yes even when you're scared. The greatest adventure of your life could be waiting for you.

I did the trip from Palau to Thailand in 21 and it was so much fun. I learnt so much, made so many great friends and got to see and experience some of the coolest stuff I’ve seen to date. The staff are all very cool, approachable and great teachers. I got 12 credits and it didn’t even feel like a semester because it was so fun. If you like adventure, travel and the ocean I couldn’t recommend this program more.

Seamester was a trip that exceeded all of my expectations. I had an opportunity to visit places some people may never see in a lifetime and I got to make countless memories with amazing new people. I grew a bond with not only the students but also the staff that could never be replaced. Everyday I wish I could go back and relive it all just once more.

This summer, I was able to have the time of my life with TFT! I went to Fiji and daily I look back and reminisce on the memories I made there. I did things that I never thought I would, with my new family. If I could go back in time, I would go back to that trip. I was never ever bored because of the adventures I had every hour! I also was able to do life-changing community service for a local school in Fiji. Talking to the teachers and playing with the students are memories that I will never forget. Fiji is a place that I never thought I would go to and it felt like a dream every second. I cannot thank TFT enough! I am so excited for my next trip!

I volunteered at Nakavango in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, as part of the IVHQ Wildlife Conservation Project. It truly was one of the highlights of my life. And I’ve had some pretty remarkable experiences so that says a lot. The staff a Nakavango was incredible and extremely knowledgeable. They create the perfect balance of hard work and joyous moments playing with the children at Masuwe School, observing wildlife in the bush, and taking in the sights of one of the seven wonders of the world. We each had our own room, were provided three yummy meals a day with great care to accommodate those who have special diets. Highlights of my stay included morning and evening game drives, sitting around the fire pit under the stars, camping out in the bush, and completing a work task feeling that we had made progress on a project. Yet, the most outstanding aspect of this experience for me, was bonding with my fellow volunteers. Prior to arriving at Nakavango, I thought I’d be the senior member of the crew so I was a bit apprehensive even though I had worked for weeks to get in shape physically so I could contribute equally. Well, I wasn’t the most senior. In fact, we had a wonderful range of ages, nationalities, and personalities. We became a family, caring for and respectful of all. That truly blew me away. And now, we continue to stay in touch. I am so grateful for the IVHQ program at Nakavango. It changed my life!

Many people consider Fiji to simply be an island paradise – that’s it. Now, don’t get me wrong: Fiji is indeed a beautiful, relaxing country; however, so much more is offered throughout this remote chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean. When I signed up for the Travel for Teens Fiji Service & Adventure trip, my parents were quite skeptical of the trip, bombarding me with questions: “what are you going to do for 13 days on a small island??” Truthfully, I didn’t know, but once I got to the islands, I was so thankful I signed up. While it is true you will always feel the ocean breeze and warm temperatures across the island, I never once thought the trip wasn’t worth it. I live in Florida, and I could just as easily travel to The Bahamas, Dominican Republic or Jamaica; however, Fiji is entirely different. Everything from the community service aspect of the trip to the great personalities of my peers throughout the duration of my stay made Travel for Teens’ Fiji Service & Adventure trip unforgettable. Right from the very beginning, people tried bonding. It worked. It is true we traveled across the entire world to a remote island unlike anything we’ve experienced before, and this unfamiliarity created a bond far quicker and stronger than one that would be formed in a more familiar setting. A good chunk of the trip was spent in a small island chain called the Yasawa Islands a few hours from the largest Fijian island where we helped a local school for a community service project. It was a wonderful experience. We could play and interact with the kids at the school, all between ages 5 and 15, and all these kids spoke English – certainly a nice benefit. They absolutely loved us. They had so much energy, running alongside us around their soccer field and dirt track, making days felt like minutes, and minutes feel like seconds. They taught us Fijian songs and games, and I still remember how to count from one to ten in one of the native Fijian languages all thanks to two kids by the name of Bill and Abel. Now, I am not someone who is the best with kids (I feel rather awkward in those sorts of situations), but I didn’t feel any amount of discomfort with these. I was very happy in this regard. We built an incinerator for the school so they could burn their trash (small islands like this cannot have landfills; therefore, burning trash is their best option) and the neat thing about this was the fact that we could see each and every Fiji service trip’s work before us while we were there. Each Fiji Service & Adventure trip contributes a bit more to the school, and we could ask kids that went to the school what last year’s group accomplished. Upon leaving, some of the kids presented a few of their favorite travelers some gifts, and I was one to receive a handmade bracelet from Abel. It had a Fijian symbol that supposedly brings good luck to its wearer and I still wear it every single day as it helps remind me of my wonderful experiences I had in Fiji. Once we finished our community service project, we engaged in other extraordinary activities across multiple islands, and some highlights included scuba diving in what I consider one of the most beautiful reefs in the entire world (and I have been to the Great Barrier Reef previously – Fiji tops it), a zip line adventure in the hills overlooking local villages, farms and beaches, and my personal favorite: an early-morning hike to the top of a mountain to see the sunrise. We were doubtful about getting up very early, but it was entirely worth it. Eventually, a few minutes after reaching the top, the reds and pinks began to show, and we saw that big, bright red ball rise up from the perfectly calm sea one thousand feet below. That was likely the most spectacular sunrise I had ever seen (quite possibly the most spectacular one I will ever see, unless I have the fortune to travel back to Fiji once again). As I said in the beginning, “they thought I would get bored for 13 days on an island. They were wrong.” Fiji is entirely worth putting on your bucket list, and not only that – Fiji should be at the very top of your bucket list. Travel for Teens is able to check off that list for you, and the 13-day Fiji Service & Adventure is your perfect choice to experience a group of islands unlike any other. Fiji is far more incredible than any island you can experience in the Caribbean, far more incredible than Hawaii, and far more incredible than nearly anywhere else on the planet. I only hope one day I can return.

I've traveled a lot in my life, before and after my experience with Pacific Discovery. I've gone on sight-seeing trips in Europe with my family, I've lived a year in Russia for a teaching opportunity, and I was immersed in a rural Senegalese village for 3 months through a college program. I say all this not to boast, but to prove the uniqueness of Pacific Discovery. Pacific Discovery New Zealand gave me something I would have never found without it, something I'll likely never find again. For me, this trip provided the perfect 4 weeks to turn strangers into a lifelong soul-family. A spirit of sheer adventure flowed through our group, and we were quickly bonded by adrenaline. Rainy, strenuous work in the beautiful countryside and cooking delightful meals together brought us all the closer. Years later, I look back at these 4 weeks with both complete gratitude and unbearable nostalgia. I can confidently say that only the family at Pacific Discovery could have provided the memories I love to call my own.

Wow. Where do I even start, I had the absolute time of my life on this trip, best experience ever. I recommend it to everyone. Fiji is such a special place and to work with the community and locals there was one of the best parts. The food was amazing and had lots of choices surprisingly since it is such a small island. The TFT staff was absolutely great, they were friendly, kind, helpful, and everything you'd ever need in a counselor. this trip really couldn't of been any better for me. I had the opportunity to go on such an amazing adventure and it was very much worth every penny. Don't miss out on it. GO TFT

From the first inquiry email to her good-bye hug in the LAX airport, ARCC is a world-class provider of a wonderful experience for a student travel program. Our high-school daughter traveled to Australia and Fiji this past summer (2018) and had the time of her life. She experienced different cultures, taught English to Fijian children, built a kindergarten classroom, became scuba certified in the Great Barrier Reef while forming relationships with 14 other students her age from the USA. She had the time of her young life. This experience will always be in her heart.

I had such an amazing time on my ARCC trip! I was able to explore new places (Australia and Fiji), make new friends, and do service work. I felt very safe while with ARCC. My leaders were fun and responsible. The group size was just right. One of the highlights of the trip was becoming scuba certified as well as living with a Fijian family. I would highly recommend ARCC trips.

This trip was life changing, it was absolutely amazing the people and staff were great! the activities were always fun and their was never a dull moment the culture was so eye opening I’m so glad I got to experience a taste of how others live there wasn’t anything I’d change

I volunteered in Bali- Ubud, through IVHQ. Bali was an incredible experience. I made life long friends, taught a class of 6th graders, and got to experience a beautiful new culture. The staff were amazing, and helped out all the volunteers with whatever needs they had. The location was beautiful, we were situated in a village 20 minutes outside the town of Ubud. This allowed us to integrate in a real Balinese community. The people (the volunteers, locals & staff) were second to none. I volunteered for five weeks- by the end of those 5 weeks I was wishing I had 5 more! The only downside to this programme is missing the children you taught and the friends you made after you leave! A member of the IVHQ team was on hand from the minute I booked the trip. She answered any questions I had, and checked in with m to make sure everything was going well during the volunteer programme. Volunteering with IVHQ in Bali was absolutely the best thing I ever done. I thoroughly recommend anyone interested in volunteering abroad to consider IVHQ Bali. You wont regret it.

This was the best experience of my life! I have always wanted to travel and volunteer abroad and IVHQ made this so fun and easy. During the week we were able to volunteer and take in the experiences we wanted while leaving plenty of time to explore the country for the weekend. Highly highly recommend this organization if you want a new way to travel and give back.

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ] responded to this reviewJuly 03, 2018

Hi Deanna. Thanks for such an awesome review! It's fantastic to hear our program offered you one of the best experiences in your life and that we made the process of volunteering easy and fun for you. Thanks for being a great volunteer and please join us on another program soon. ^Claire - IVHQ South Africa Program Manager