Let the lure of exotic adventure bring you to the South Pacific. Weave through Fijian islands by sailboat and SCUBA dive flourishing reefs of vibrant corals and giant fish. Greet the days with succulent fruit that falls from the trees, make delightful new Fijian friends, and discover the South Pacific of dreams. Sail the celebrated Bay of Islands in spectacular New Zealand, and learn about indigenous Maori traditions. The islands of French Polynesia lounge in tropical perfection, like green gumdrops in an endless cobalt sea. Lounge beneath coconut palm trees on sugary beaches, catch waves from a surfboard in Tahiti, and snorkel warm lagoons of translucent blue.
“Brontë had a wonderful time this summer. She went on this trip without any friends and she came home with 13 new friends who she still stays in contact with. She was tested physically and mentally and she thrived. I could not be happier. She got everything that I was hoping she would out of this trip: responsibility, friendship, maturity and endurance. Well done.”
— Parent of Brontë G.
Fiji island-Hopping & Village Visits
Our teen adventure launches in Los Angeles and we depart for Fiji, where we spend four days aboard a private sailboat as we travel through a remote string of islands, draped in coconut trees, made famous by the film Cast Away. As special guests of our Fijian friends and hosts, we are officially welcomed to villages by a centuries-old ceremony performed by Fijian chiefs and entertained by traditional songs and dances.
Village Service Project & SCUBA Diving
On a tiny island in the Yasawa group we join local school children in a nearby village for a fun day of games and community service, all designed to help them learn English. On the island, we spend five days becoming PADI certified SCUBA divers in a virtual garden of corals, anemones, and tropical fish just off shore. Those already certified can upgrade to an Advanced Open Water Diver certification. (All students wishing to dive must pass a thorough diving physical and cannot have used an inhaler or suffered from asthma in the past three years. For those not wishing to SCUBA dive, alternative water activities are available.)
New Zealand Sailing and Countryside Exploration
Next we fly to New Zealand, a country known for the movie Lord of the Rings and revered for its rugged landscape. For three days aboard a private sailboat, we tour the famed Bay of Islands, which is blessed with a mild climate and steeped in cultural significance. Then we travel south for an overnight hike in the lush forest and a dip in the hot springs that make the New Zealand countryside a truly amazing place to visit!
Tahiti Surf Camp & Tropical Paradise
Finally, our group travels to French Polynesia where emerald mountains stretch skyward and the lagoons are swimming pool blue. We begin by searching for the perfect Tahitian wave from atop our surfboards. For two days in the water with professional instructors, we learn surfing fundamentals and perfect our style on aqua blue waves just right for beginners.
SCUBA Diving Moorea
Dripping in lush green foliage, the extinct volcanic island of Moorea is only a short ferry ride away from Tahiti. We spend two days adding to our SCUBA repertoire by diving in warm and clear aquamarine lagoons, and at dive sites that host giant manta rays and a kaleidoscope of fish. Our South Pacific adventures ends after a stroll through Tahiti’s handicraft markets, a celebration dinner, and a flight back to Los Angeles.
