Fiji is a South Pacific paradise destination, from its swaying palm trees to its crystal blue waters and shining sands. This country boasts more than 300 islands! Up to 80,000 tourists enter Fiji per month, so you know this is a place to be. Beach-goers and scuba divers are drawn to the magnificent beaches and coral reefs. But you’re not just a tourist, right? You’re looking for the best Fiji volunteer projects!
Volunteer opportunities in Fiji will expose you to authentic travel experiences.
Volunteering in Fiji is the perfect way to make sure that your regular beach holiday does not go unforgotten. International volunteers have the unique and rewarding opportunity to give back to the communities that they are visiting. Fiji volunteers will get to experience the more authentic areas of the islands, as well as immerse themselves into the culture.
Getting to know the local community members and forming relationships is one way to make your experience unforgettable. For the volunteers who are big social media fans, capturing moments among the beautiful coral reefs you are surveying is another way to preserve the precious memory.
You’ll get the best of both worlds when you volunteer in Fiji — relaxing weekends at lovely beaches and rewarding days when you will be giving back. Volunteer opportunities in Fiji can be found even in the most touristic areas, such as Nadi, on the popular island of Viti Levu. Plus, volunteering abroad is the perfect way to ensure that you are partaking in responsible tourism.
The lovely Fijian beaches and coral reefs need protection, and local school children are in need of care and English language classes. Volunteers from all backgrounds and with all interests will be able to find a suitable program. Marine enthusiasts will especially enjoy their stay! Check out our list of the best Fiji volunteer projects available to you right now.
7 best Fiji volunteer projects
There’s no doubt you’ll get out there amongst nature during Fiji volunteer programs!
1. Marine Conservation
As previously stated, Fiji is most well-known for its world-class beaches and coral reefs. Due to both warming ocean waters as well as an increasing number of tourists, these coral reefs are threatened. Warming ocean tides mean that corals become bleached and die, which results in loss of other marine life species whose home was in the reef.
Volunteers who want to become certified to scuba dive and who want to help the environment can join a marine conservation program in Fiji. Marine conservation volunteers often assist in the creation of a network of Marine Protected Areas.
- When: Year-round; Fiji has a stable summer-like climate all year
- Duration: Fiji volunteer programs that include dive courses generally have a minimum duration of four weeks
- Recommended program: GoEco - Fiji - Diving and Marine Conservation Expedition
2. Animal Welfare
As more and more of the coral reefs die from bleaching, marine animal populations are dwindling. In order to support Marine Protected Areas, local organizations in Fiji fighting for these protected areas need scientific data to support their efforts.
Fiji volunteers can join marine animal conservation programs to assist. The shark population in Fiji is declining, and more data needs to be collected on the still-existing populations in order to prevent further loss.
- When: Year-round
- Duration: Varies by program
- Recommended program: Shark Conservation in Fiji with Projects Abroad by Projects Abroad
3. Eco-tourism
A dream destination such as Fiji is the perfect place to learn about and support our environment! Tourism greatly impacts the economy in Fiji, but tourism is not always eco-friendly. Fiji volunteer programs in ecotourism help to make tourism more sustainable and green-focused by including meaningful volunteer work in an otherwise action-filled itinerary.
As a Fiji volunteer, you can give back to the communities of the stunning areas you’re visiting. A sample ecotourism adventure in Fiji may include island hopping combined with community development volunteer tasks such as teaching English or digging wells.
- When: Year-round
- Duration: One to four weeks
- Recommended program: Volunteer Eco Students Abroad - Fiji Islands Discovered
4. English Teaching
Fiji is a popular tourist destination, meaning that the job market for locals consists mainly of jobs in the hospitality and tourism industries. Thus, having knowledge of the English language is essential. Volunteers who want to work with children as well as those who are considering a profession in education can both benefit from joining Fiji volunteer projects focused on English teaching.
- When: Year-round
- Duration: Teaching programs usually begin with minimum durations of just one or two weeks. Longer stays are certainly encouraged, however.
- Recommended program: GoEco - Fiji - Inspire Kindergartners
Genuine cultural exchange is one of the best parts of volunteering abroad.
5. Nutrition
While there are many bustling, lively areas in Fiji, there are just as many (if not more) rural areas. These areas are less attractive to tourists, and are therefore financially less stable. Less resources are available in these areas, meaning that the quality of health care is also less than what can be expected from urban, heavily-populated areas.
As a result, volunteer opportunities in Fiji exist that focus on educating local community members and school children on healthcare and nutrition issues, in order to help them live a more healthy lifestyle and fight off potential health concerns.
- When: Year-round
- Duration: One to two weeks
- Recommended program: Projects Abroad - Nutrition Internships in Fiji
6. Environment
Fiji has the third-largest mangrove area in the Pacific Island region (42,000 hectares of mangrove forests to be exact!! The mangrove ecosystem is incredibly biodiverse. Their most important purpose is protecting the land from cyclones and other devastating ocean storms; therefore, their conservation is essential.
In order to pass laws in order to protect these mangrove ecosystems, volunteers are needed to collect data to pass on to relevant, local conservation organizations. Unlike most other coastal (and especially marine) conservation programs, no scuba dive certificate is necessary!
- When: Year-round
- Duration: Two weeks
7. Building & Construction
Building and construction is a classic volunteer placement. Fiji is no exception when it comes to needing such volunteers. Oftentimes these programs take place at local schools and other community buildings. Tasks generally include cleaning, painting, and building; however, you’re usually not required to have any special skills — just the physical ability to work! The beauty in being a building and construction volunteer in Fiji is that you can actually see the impact that you’ve made when your placement comes to an end.
- When: Year-round
- Duration: Two weeks; that being said, the longer you stay, the more of an impact you can have (and see!).
- Recommended program: IVHQ - Volunteer in Construction and Renovation in Fiji
As a Fiji volunteer, you’ll make a difference!
Make the most of every moment — your time as a Fiji volunteer will end before you know it.
What are you waiting for? During Fiji volunteer projects, you will have the chance to embrace the tropical life while giving back to the community (or a marine species) in need. Whether you wish to keep the colorful coral reefs healthy, the sharks from becoming endangered, or children in school, GoAbroad has your back! Browse through a large selection of ecotourism, marine conservation, animal welfare, and other volunteer tasks that are available in this magnificent country.
If you want to embrace a bustling tourist destination, look for opportunities near Nadi, on the island of Viti Levu, or in Suva on the mainland. Other popular volunteer destinations include the Dawasamu Islands. Most Fiji volunteer programs are available year-round, since their wet season still includes hot days and the rain showers generally don’t last very long, making it that much easier of a destination to engage in ecotourism! You will arrive back home with stunning photos of beaches, memories of helping at your choice of volunteer placement, and knowledge of another place and its culture.
View ALL Volunteer Opportunities in Fiji
This article was written with help from GoEco, who has been named a Top Volunteer Abroad Organization of 2018 by GoAbroad and a Best Sustainable Tour Operator finalist by the Global Youth Travel Awards. One of GoEco’s programs in Belize was named a finalist for Most Innovative New Volunteer Program of 2018 by GoAbroad.
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