South Pacific Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer in the South Pacific and take part in volunteer work that’s designed to address the needs of local communities.

Our South Pacific volunteer opportunities include:

Generating important research for scientists and diving with sharks on our Shark Conservation Project in Fiji
Supporting early childhood development by volunteering with children in the South Pacific

And other exciting South Pacific volunteer projects.

We’ll take care of all the details, so you’ll enjoy a hassle-free experience. We also have full-time local staff at a physical office in each country, who offer 24/7 support. This means that you can focus on what is really important: becoming part of our ongoing efforts to help people in the South Pacific.

Why volunteer in the South Pacific?

Life on a Pacific Island is idyllic. The soft sandy beaches and clear blue water are straight out of a holiday brochure, but have to be experienced first-hand to really be appreciated. This is one region of the world where you’re guaranteed to have an unforgettable trip.

Choosing to volunteer on one of our Fiji projects isn’t all about relaxing on the beach, though. Rural communities face challenges with staffing daycare centres, properly protecting sharks, and spreading awareness of good nutrition. Our South Pacific projects are a chance for you to offer extra support and make a real difference for locals living in Fiji.

You’ll do this by becoming fully immersed in the local culture. This gives you a deeper insight into the challenges that people living in the South Pacific face and how you can make a positive change.

How to become a volunteer in the South Pacific

Projects Abroad Shark Conservation volunteers resting in the shade of coconut trees during a beach cleanup community day in Fiji

So how can you go about becoming a Pacific Island volunteer? The process is simple! Just follow these steps:

Think about the Pacific Island volunteer work you’re interested in, whether that’s helping children, protecting sharks, or doing community work in a small village. If you have your heart set on Fiji, then choose your favourite from the projects we offer in that island nation.
Reach out to our Project Experts, who can provide more information and help you make the right choice for your interests and goals.
Decide how much time you have to travel to the South Pacific, how flexible your dates are, and if you’d rather travel alone or as part of a group. This will determine what kind of trip is right for you, whether that's an independent Flexi Trip, Team Trip, or a High School Special for students aged 15-18.
Once you know which South Pacific island you want to visit, what type of work you’d like to be doing, and the length you wish to travel for, there’s nothing left to do but fill in the application form and book your place!

How old do I have to be to volunteer in the South Pacific?

Projects Abroad volunteers in Samoa diving in their free time

Pacific Island volunteer work with us is open to people aged 16 and over. If our projects in Fiji have requirements, we’ll state them clearly on the project information page. If you have questions about requirements, do get in touch for more information.

We also offer South Pacific volunteer opportunities for high school students aged 15-18. Our High School Specials give extra support to young travellers, so they can have the best experience possible in the South Pacific.

If you’re an older volunteer, then you’ll be glad to hear there’s no upper age limit to take part in our overseas projects. We believe you’re never too old to help Pacific Island communities. Your extra levels of skills and experience are hugely welcome!

Is volunteering in the South Pacific ethical?

We hold our volunteers to the highest ethical standard, meaning that you can volunteer abroad, confident that you are making a genuine positive change in the South Pacific. As champions of responsible volunteer travel, we follow an eight point checklist for all projects, including volunteer trips to the South Pacific Islands.

Many of our Fiji projects involve working with children and animals. These adhere to an even stricter code of conduct, to ensure the welfare of all involved. Read more about our policies and approach to ethical volunteering.

Do we offer short term volunteer opportunities in the South Pacific?

Looking for short term South Pacific volunteer opportunities? While we encourage you to maximise your impact by increasing the length of your South Pacific projects, you do have the option to go for a minimum of a week. This gives you the flexibility to pick the option that best fits your circumstances and ambitions.

If you’re wondering what kind of impact you can really make in a week, read our blog that explains how we approach short-term volunteering.

Can I volunteer in the South Pacific for free?

Projects Abroad Shark Conservation volunteer learns how to weave traditional Lovo baskets during a community day in Pacific Harbor Fiji

Without funding, we can’t achieve our long term sustainable development goals. Your time spent on South Pacific volunteer programmes is designed to be as impactful as possible, which is why you can’t volunteer for free in the South Pacific. However, it’s important to be aware of what you get for this money. Your fee includes:

Three meals a day
Accommodation
Transportation to and from your placement

And much more. Plus, the longer you stay, the lower the cost per week.

We take this hassle-free approach because it leaves you with the time and energy to get the most out of your experience and to maximise your impact.

If you’re interested in learning more about funding, check out our flexible payment plans. We only ask for an initial deposit and then allow you to cover the outstanding fees in small payments that you have complete control over!

Be sure to seek advice and support for volunteer fundraising, so you can get the money you need to go on an unforgettable trip abroad. Our staff and alumni are experts on raising funds and we’ll help you hit your fundraising targets.

Is it safe to volunteer in the South Pacific?

Fiji was chosen as a South Pacific project destination for its political stability and high levels of peace.

We maintain your safety by hiring our own local staff, who know the area well and can give you tips on keeping yourself and your belongings safe. They’re contactable 24/7. Your accommodation will have been thoroughly vetted for safety as well.

Find out more about safety and backup.