Accommodation: Tenting & Hammocking – Fireside Fiji Farm Base Camp

These two days are dedicated to preparing for our remote island expedition while grounding ourselves in the rhythms of Fijian land and community. Participants stay at Fireside’s 14-acre Fiji Farm Base Camp, developed in partnership with Suncoast Adventures. The property overlooks the South Pacific and serves as our long-term training site in Fiji. Learning includes:

● Overnight expedition preparation and gear management

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World Bound | Fiji

● Fire cooking and outdoor food systems lesson

● Shelter systems (tents, hammocks, tarps) lesson

● Knot tying and tropical weather preparation lesson

● Risk management and group leadership skills workshop

● Journalling activity

Participants also contribute to two quarter-day volunteer projects supporting the farm’s revitalized organic food systems and learning about their land management resilience infrastructure plans. We travel to Rakiraki Town, a historic coastal community, to purchase supplies for the expedition and complete a final gear check.

“Sa qai kauti keda na koro... The village takes care of us, as we learn to take care of it.”

Accommodation: Beachfront Expedition Camping (tenting)

By boat, we travel to a remote and uninhabited island in the Suncoast region, where

Participants engage in immersive ocean-based learning. Our location is kept top secret, and we will share it once you arrive. Learning activities include:

● Snorkelling coral reef systems (Suncoast Adventures participation certification)

● Spearfishing and traditional open-fire cooking (Suncoast Adventures certification)

● Two lessons on fishing (Suncoast Adventures participation certification)

● Stand-up paddleboard training

● Outdoor survival and tropical expedition skills

● Construction of a small treehouse lookout project

● A 4-hour “sit spot” reflection experience

● Team leadership challenges are transferable to group settings

● Exploration of a 1500-year-old forest settlement site

● Reef conservation workshop and Leave No Trace tropical camping

Evenings focus on guided reflection and leadership dialogue.

“E dina, e cecere na veika lalai... It’s true, the small things have the greatest impact.”

Accommodation: Dreamview Villas

After returning from the expedition, the group resets with showers, rest, and a celebration meal. In the afternoon, we visit Nabalasere Waterfall, hidden in Fiji’s interior rainforest. Participants hike through tropical forest ecosystems before swimming beneath cascading freshwater pools. Evening activity: surprise cultural event.

Accommodation: Dreamview Villas

We travel along Fiji’s coast to Suva, the capital city and political heart of the country. This will be a long day of much to see and to experience.

Learning highlights include:

● Walking tour of Suva Municipal Market

● Visits to historic colonial and civic buildings

● Discussions on Fiji’s political history and modern challenges

● Urban climate resilience and development

We return to the Suncoast in the evening.

“Na bula ni vanua e na liga ni tamata... The life of the land is in the hands of the people.”

Accommodation: Fireside Farm Base Camp

Participants work toward SSI Open Water Scuba Certification with our partners at Volivoli Diving, exploring the Great Sea Reef (Cakaulevu)—one of the largest barrier reefs in the world.

Learning includes:

● Marine ecology and reef biodiversity

● Coral bleaching and climate change impacts

● Ocean stewardship and conservation science

Evenings include fireside discussions and cultural workshops.

“Na wasawasa e vuli... The ocean is a teacher.”

Accommodation: Canvas tents, Nanumi Au

Day 14 morning begins with a quick drive to Nanumi Au to set up for the week-long community immersion project, followed by an early-morning paddle through the mangroves, then a traditional lunch. We’ll tour the village, explore trails, and swim in the sea. In the late afternoon, we will play a local volleyball game with local community members, and in the evening, gather around a campfire for a leadership workshop on community-driven development and resilience in the face of climate change. “Sa qai kauti keda na koro" The village takes care of us, as we learn to take care of it.” Nanumi Au, meaning “Remember Me.” The community welcomes us with a traditional Sevusevu ceremony, followed by immersion into village life.

Experiences include:

● Weaving and Life of a Coconut Workshops

● Kava ceremonies and language learning

● Climate resilience discussions following Cyclone Winston

● 2 night homestay experience

● Narara love heart waterhole and natural waterslide tour

● Sunrise yoga and Waitika Bee Farm tour (full day)

“E dina, e cecere na veika lalai – The small things have the greatest impact.

We will also learn about the rich history and culture of Fiji by visiting Rakiraki town (town day).

“Tovolea... Try it. You’ll never grow unless you try.”

Accommodation: Canvas tents, Nanumi Au

This will be our final day with Nanumi Au where we will partake in a few workshops, enjoy our time with the community members, prepare for the next portion of the journey and enjoy our first Meke. Siga vinaka e yaco ga ni da cakacaka vata... A good day happens when we work together.”

Accommodation: Fireside Island Base Camp

We travel back to the Farm basecamp and prepare for an overnight “strengthening the future” event, planting trees and stabilizing the shorelines while also connecting with local young people. “Challenge, Strive, Learn (Fireside motto)... this is how we grow, this is how we lead.”

Our final morning begins with a sunrise gratitude ceremony, Fireside’s “shirt off our back” exchange, and a heartfelt send-off. Phones are returned en route to the airport, and we say our “Sota Tale” (see you again) to Fiji, forever changed. We will cap off our big experience with a boat trip through some amazing islands with Hidden Gem.