Sea coral.

School Holiday Reef Course

School holiday special: Marine life reef ecology course (Dec 2020)

A SPECIAL OFFER FOR LOCALS

An opportunity to learn about the rich marine life that surrounds us in Fiji!

About the programme:

Teachers Sara Carlson and Matthew Norman of Ocean Ventures Fiji bring a lively, friendly approach to a subject they are passionate about. The course content draws of the fifteen years’ experience they have running ocean conservation courses in Fiji and elsewhere.

Each day starts at 9:00am and finishes at approx. 3:00pm. The course will be situated at Daku Resort, snorkelling either on the reef outside or further down the road. The day is fun filled and highly informative, including talks with slides, hands on activities, time in the water, quizzes and a final certificate.

Both courses follow the same format; they are structured so that Days 2 and 3 build on the learning of the one-day course (so if you do one day and then want to add more, you can do so).

If weather is poor, we will do the study on the reef platform at nearby Devodara beach.

INFORMATION

About the programme:

This is a course that will teach you about:

  • How reefs are formed, and what types of reefs we have in Fiji;
  • The main types of corals & their lifecycles;
  • How to identify the main fish families, and how they live and eat;
  • And the wonderful world of many of the other creatures in the ocean.

Content and age: Our course spans a range of topics and activities, with educational content catering for an age range between 9 and 15, but enough fun for older siblings and parents as well!

What’s included: The course will include a presentation on our regional coral reefs, a practical element either in the water (snorkelling) or on the reef shelf (walking), activities to put some of this new knowledge to use, and a quiz to cover the new things your children have learned! The courses will also include lunch, a review of the day, and certificates of completion.

One day course

What’s covered: Reef ecology, and introduction to fish identification

What’s included:

  • Course fees
  • Lunch
  • Snorkel and mask
  • Transport to snorkel spots / beaches if needed

Dates: 

  • Friday December 11
  • Monday December 28

Price: $150

Three day course

What’s covered: Reef ecology and structures, fish identification and food web, and marine invertebrates (octopi, crabs, jellyfish, sea stars, and many more)

What’s included:

  • Course fees
  • Lunch
  • Snorkel and mask
  • Transport to snorkel spots / beaches if needed

Dates: 

  • Friday – Sunday December 11 /12 /13
  • Monday – Wednesday December 28 / 29 / 30

Price: $360 ($120/day)

ACCOMMODATION

Daku Resort is offering special family prices for accommodation, depending on how many people are staying and for how many nights. (Course fees will be added.) Please ask us for a quote.

One-day course

Two people: One night in a standard room – includes continental breakfast: $170
Four people: One night in a villa – includes continental breakfast: $340

Three-day course

Two people: Three nights in a standard room – includes continental breakfast: $450
Four people: Three nights in a villa – includes continental breakfast: $1020

OR ask us about our 3 and 4 bedroomed houses that can fit groups.

TEACHERS

Sara Carlson and Matthew Norman are both PADI Instructors with degrees in the sciences (Biology and Chemistry) and several years of experience working with students from various international schools through the conservation organization Operation Wallacea. They have taught reef ecology courses in Indonesia, Mexico, Honduras, Dominica, and Greece, and now have been based in Fiji for four years running Ocean Ventures Fiji out of Natewa Bay.

They place an emphasis on safety in the water, working mostly with students and those who have little experience in the ocean. This course uses their photos and videos to illustrate relationships on coral reefs and to provide accurate identification of reef fishes commonly seen here in Fiji.

They have a deep love of the ocean, and are endlessly fascinated by marine life. They are known for their patience in explaining the subject, and their delight in encouraging younger students to appreciate the wonders of the salt water world.