Volunteer in Fiji
The archipelago of Fiji is an exotic dream holiday destination for many people, that’s why the number one industry on the island country is tourism. Situated roughly 2,000km off the northeastern coast of New Zealand, the Republic of Fiji consists of more than 330 islands, only around 100 of them being permanently inhabited.
The native fauna is mainly limited to reptiles like iguanas, skinks, geckos and snakes and the only native mammals that can be found in Fiji are bats. There are also around 150 different bird species and of course lots of insects, so be prepared to come across many creepy crawlies when you visit Fiji. What attracts the most visitors though is the wide variety of life in the waters around Fiji where you can find dolphins, sea turtles, corals and a colorful variety of exotic fish. You can occasionally see whales and sharks passing by but sightings have unfortunately become rare due to overhunting. The species you can come across if you're lucky are bull sharks, tiger sharks and oceanic white tips as well as humpback whales.
Amongst passionate divers and marine biologists, Fiji is known to be the "soft coral capital of the world". Its great variety of coral are home to about 1200 species of reef fish and other types of marine life like anemone, sea snakes and moray eels. However, this diver's paradise is greatly endangered and its destruction happens at an alarming rate.
Volunteer programs in Fiji
Before you start your journey as a volunteer in Fiji, you need to think about what you expect from this experience and which project will be the best for you. Help is needed in many different areas. The following will provide you with information about the different projects volunteers are able to volunteer at. Even if you are new to this topic, we can surely help you to find the perfect program and volunteer work in Fiji. No matter for which of the many projects you decide, your helping hand as a volunteer in Fiji will definitely be appreciated and you will have the opportunity to make a unique experience and many memories during your time in Fiji.
Biodiversity and its conservation
There are numerous volunteer programs in Fiji that actively work on the conservation of the environment, especially on the conservation of the marine life around Fiji. Many of these volunteer programs in Fiji focus on data collection through underwater research dives. If you are an experienced diver, you can support this kind of volunteer work in Fiji actively. Most of the time there will also be scuba diving lessons so that even amateur divers can do their part of the work. As a volunteer in Fiji, your tasks in environmental volunteer programs may include but are not limited to:
- assisting with sailing to outer islands
- performing beach clean-ups and data collection
- quantifying results of plastic found
- community engagement and education
- demonstrating on a variety of local processing solutions
- supporting a hydroponic gardening project
Teaching in Fiji
If marine wildlife and diving is not your thing and you prefer to keep both feet on the ground, there are also many ways you could do something good when visiting and volunteering in Fiji. Local schools are often understaffed and welcome qualified help from fluent English speaking volunteers with open arms. As a volunteer in Fiji, educating children and local communities about the threats to the marine wildlife and sustainable ways to minimize them can also be part of the schedule as a volunteer. There are also many volunteer programs in Fiji that are focused on fields of teaching sports education, supporting a healthy educational development, general English teaching and assisting teachers. Your tasks as an educational volunteer in Fiji might include:
- preparing lessons for the day
- teaching lessons in maths, English, sports, geography
- helping in morning chores and exercises
- assisting local teachers
- teaching sports rules and basics of different games
- organizing sports-related activities
- playing with and training the children
- teaching respect and fair play
Medical and healthcare
Another volunteering option that might be interesting for volunteers is working in a program in the field of medical and healthcare. As a volunteer in Fiji in this field, you will have different tasks that depend on the project you will be volunteering in. Tasks for a local healthcare volunteer in Fiji can be but are not limited to:
- working at an outreach program for nutrition and public health
- increasing knowledge about nutrition and physical activity
- research, training, education
- working at maternal child health clinics
- assisting in obstetrics and gynecology
Depending on your experience, some volunteer programs in Fiji in the field of healthcare are only accessible to qualified persons or students studying the discipline of health science, physiotherapy, nutritionists, naturopaths or dietitians. A qualified practitioner will be available to support and guide volunteers during the program. Volunteers without qualifications in this field are still encouraged to apply for these programs and depending on your desire and experience, you may be accepted into the program.
Support community service
You are more of a person that loves working with the community and people and you want to volunteer in social projects which support the community? Then there are plenty of possibilities to do that: help developing programs aimed at social development, the prevention of violence, and the protection and defense of children who are victims of violence. As a community volunteer in Fiji, you will also live with natives and experience their way of life.
Volunteer work in Fiji at a community project includes but is not limited to:
- assisting in building and painting schools
- building wells and latrines
- light construction work
- renovating playgrounds
- maintaining and building infrastructures
- educating
- assisting at a kindergarten
- teaching women’s empowerment
- teaching women’s empowerment
- office administration and computer skills education
- gardening
Things to know before you volunteer in Fiji
Before starting your volunteer work in Fiji, it’s important to think about the cultural norms you’ll need to adjust to. In addition, learn about the precautions you might need to take as a volunteer in Fiji. The following list might help you with that:
Safety & Precautions
According to the lonely planet, Fiji is a very safe place for travelers and common sense is all you really need to ensure a safe and happy holiday. That said, Fiji isn’t immune to crime and occasionally tourists are targeted. It is worth keeping the following in mind:
- When you’re in Nadi or Suva do not walk around at night, even in a group. Locals catch cabs after dark and you should do the same.
- Male travelers, in particular, are often approached and asked if they want marijuana and/or prostitutes – it's illegal to buy either (both sex work and buying sex are criminalized in Fiji).
- If your stay is long-term, be aware that burglaries are not uncommon. Always make sure you have good locks on all doors and windows of rental properties.
Health advice
There is no malaria or rabies in Fiji. Also, health facilities are good. For more information check health advice for Fiji here:
- make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip
- there are no compulsory vaccinations needed for Fiji
- the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all travellers be covered for diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella and polio, regardless of their destination
- most vaccines don’t produce immunity until at least two weeks after they’re given, so visit your physician at least six weeks before departure
- a recent influenza vaccination is always a good idea when traveling, as are vaccinations for hepatitis A, hepatitis B and typhoid fever
- if you have been in a country affected by yellow fever within six days of arriving in Fiji, you will need an International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever to be allowed entry into the country
Packing essentials
- Don't forget the basic items like backpacks and carry on sized suitcase
- Fiji has great weather all year long, so make sure you pack your clothes accordingly. It might be wise to check out the weather forecast before you travel to the country
- Carry toiletries and medical supplies, especially if you are under special medication
- Do not forget your travel documents. It is the first thing you should be packing
- If you are in need of special medical assistance/medicines do not forget your health insurance documents, as well as the copies of all your prescriptions
- Always pack sunscreen, sunglasses and insect repellent with you
Who can volunteer in Fiji?
As you will have noticed by now, there are a lot of volunteer programs in Fiji that expect different skills and abilities from their volunteers. While you can find out the specific requirements for each project on their program page, here are some general requirements that apply to most projects in Fiji:
- As a volunteer in Fiji, you need to be at least 18 years old for most of the volunteer projects. When in doubt, we advise you get in contact with the local project manager, as in some projects you can also volunteer when you're 16 years old
- You need to have basic English skills to join a volunteer project in Fiji. Please note that some teaching projects might ask for more advanced skills though.
- Depending on the project you're interested in, you might need to provide a criminal background check and a health declaration before volunteering.
Visa regulations to volunteer in Fiji
You have made it to the last section of this guide, which is another really important aspect while planning your trip for volunteering: getting your volunteer visa for Fiji.
Please consider that the following information is based on a best practice approach, which has been made according to the best of our knowledge and in cooperation
with several volunteer organizations. That’s why you should please make sure to discuss your visa requirements with your contact person on Volunteer World. If in doubt,
we also recommend getting in touch with the
General immigration information
There are some general requirements volunteers should comply upon their arrival in Fiji:
- Please check the current validity of your passport. The passport should be valid at least 6 months after your expected return home date. However, we strongly recommend traveling with 6 months validity on your passport at all times.
- Make sure your passport has at least two blank Visa pages. Fiji requires that you have adequate unused pages in your passport, allowing for any necessary stamps upon arrival and departure.
- Please check if a transit visa is required for any connections.
- Make sure to be in possession of a valid return ticket for your travel home.