Broadreach's Fiji Solomon Quest

  Fiji

Nadi

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: 24 day trips in June and July

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 1-5
Venture over the international dateline to Fiji, where our South Pacific quest begins. The views as we arrive give us a taste of whats to come crystal clear water, brightly colored coral and lush mountain rainforests. Our first destination is Kadavu, the fourth largest island in Fiji, yet off the beaten path. We set up base at Matava 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. Ready to dive Fijis best? Plunge below to discover the intense density of colors and natural beauty of the Great Astrolabe Reef, the fourth largest barrier reef in the world. The rich nutrients passing through the strait make this one of the best places in the world to observe astounding coral growth and plentiful marine life. Explore the extraordinary Manta Reef, one of the few places in the world where you regularly see manta rays.

Day 6-9
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 worlds 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. Above the waterline, Fiji offers cool rainforest hikes, idyllic beaches and rare glimpses of cultures forgotten by time. 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. Spend your final night as a guest in Nacamoto village where locals treat us to a traditional kava ceremony and a special performance of the Fijian meke dance.

Day 10-15
Prepare for more underwater adventure in the Solomon Islands. With a spectacular array of pulsating colors, clear water, gardens of soft coral and an awe-inspiring density of marine life, the diving in this undiscovered paradise rivals the Red Sea. Munda offers a 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. Cool off at a waterfall as you trek village roads with a local history expert, exploring relics and artifacts in the rainforest and at a museum. Spend an afternoon relaxing, playing Frisbee and racing hermit crabs on a palm fringed beach.

Day 16-18
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 19-24
Ready for some of the coolest wreck diving in the South Pacific? Venture below to explore the Toa Maru, an intact 446' Japanese transport sunk by an American Wildcat in 1943, and a number of planes including a US Hellcat and a Corsair fighter. Encounter an abundance of big pelagics manta rays, eagle rays, sharks, tuna and sea turtles. At our program closing and final celebration dinner, everyone agrees the diving has been outrageous and the people weve 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

Cost in US$: $5,280

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Fiji in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 10-14

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Physical Exam/Health Records

Broadreach Summer Adventures / Academic Treks's Mission Statement: Broadreach offers experiential summer adventures for teenagers and young adults including scuba, sailing, marine biology, academic and wilderness programs that span the globe. Broadreach's educational adventures provide opportunities for students to learn new skills and explore the world in an active, hands-on environment that fully immerses the participant in the experience. Combining the thrill of discovery, the pride of accomplishment and the excitement of exploration, Broadreach programs focus on individual initiative, group dynamics and genuine participation in the world. Academic Treks is the academic adventure and community service division of Broadreach Summer Adventure Camps for Teenagers. Our educational summer camps and high school study abroad programs provide excellent alternatives to traditional summer camps and summer school. Lastly, Academic Treks College is the university division of Broadreach Summer Adventures. Our college study abroad programs provide unique opportunities to study a single topic in multiple countries around the world.

Year Founded: 1993