GENERAL INFORMATION
WHERE IS IT?
You’d be hard-pressed to find a more stunning location to work, in terms of both the scenery and the people you’ll be working with. The Yasawans are known for their ear-to-ear smiles, their cheerful ‘Bula’ welcomes, and their warm, friendly natures.
One of Fiji’s most stunning regions, and where the Vinaka Fiji Volunteering programs are based, the remote Yasawa Islands group consists of a chain of 20 ancient volcanic islands located off the eastern coast of Viti Levu (the main island of Fiji) in the South Pacific. Four of these islands have dramatic elevations with summits just short of 600 metres above sea level.
The pristine white sandy beaches and dramatic monoliths surrounded by crystal-clear lagoons provide a beautiful environment in which to relax or enjoy the many activities on offer.
WHAT TO EXPECT
A typical day:
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An early breakfast at around 6.30 am
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30 to 60-minute longboat transfer from Base Camp to the schools and villages where you’ll be working (note: if sea conditions are too rough, transfers can not run so volunteers will have to remain at Base Camp for the day).
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Lunch is either provided by the village or taken with you from Base Camp, depending on the day’s activities
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Head back to Base Camp around 3.00 pm on the longboat transfer , cool off with a swim then attend a debriefing on the day’s achievements
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End your day with an evening meal with other volunteers and resort guests from around 7.00 pm.
Within each package, there is time set aside to explore and the Yasawa's provide many opportunities to experience Fiji’s culture. You can:
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Attend traditional ceremonies at Fijian villages
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Dive or snorkel around beautiful coral reefs in stunning remote island locations
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Relax and enjoy tropical white sandy beaches
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Explore sacred caves
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Climb volcanic mountains
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Cruise to nearby islands
The list is endless and allows you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the Fijian way of life.
Sunday is typically a day of rest in Fiji so supervised activities are limited, but volunteers are always welcome to attend the traditional village church service – generally a very moving experience.
Should you wish, you can also add on some more time to check out some other resorts to relax or further exploring the region with Awesome Adventures Fiji. Click here for more info.
GETTING THERE
Your journey into the Yasawa Islands with Vinaka Fiji begins at Port Denarau where you’ll board South Sea Cruises vessel to the Yasawa Islands (the Yasawa Flyer). You’ll cruise up through the tiny isles of the Mamanucas, discovering the picture-postcard Fiji, before crossing into the ancient volcanic chain of the Yasawa Islands where you’ll uncover an entirely new, perhaps grander, paradise.
It will take about three hours to get to Barefoot Manta Island Resort, our resort base camp.
If you’d like to arrange accommodation packs for your time in Nadi/Denarau pre and post-volunteering, please contact us.
WHERE YOU STAY
BAREFOOT MANTA ISLAND RESORT
Barefoot Manta Resort lies between three beaches. Sunrise Beach for the early birds, Sunset Beach for the afternoon drinks, and Manta Ray Beach overlooking the channel which is visited every year between May and October by a population of manta rays. They also have an in-house marine biology team carrying out vital research in the surrounding area.
ROOMS
Vinaka Fiji Volunteers will stay in their choice of a mixed Dorm or you can book your own bure (triple, double or single), Note that dorms have shared bathroom facilities whereas bures have private en-suites.
MEALS
Whether meals are included in your package cost, depends on which resort you are staying at. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included in your package costs at Korovou Eco-Tour Resort which offers a good variety of simple fare. At our main resort, Barefoot Manta Island Resort as well as Mantaray Island Resort there are compulsory meal plans that are an additional cost but the meals here are hearty, fresh, healthy and there is a great range of options available.
We will do our best to work with any dietary requirements you have, but please check this prior to making bookings as some resources can be limited in the remote locations, we work in.
You can also purchase from a small range of snacks, soft drinks, and alcohol. With regards to alcohol, we ask you to treat this with respect so that it does not inhibit your participation in the programs.
