In May 2019, I volunteered for one month with Frontier and it was so disappointing I left the program early. Here's why I don't recommend anyone volunteer with the Frontier Fiji marine conservation & diving project.
By Kiki Korcova
The reason why I decided to choose this project with Frontier was because of the possibility to do some good things and combining it with my favorite hobby, which is diving. I thought that I would be diving every single day, maybe even twice, but I quickly learned that wouldn't be the case.
THERE WASN 'T MUCH VOLUNTEER WORK
The first week I was there was quite good--everything had some structure. I did a survey of corals, fish and bioindicators. The purpose was to collect data for a university and look for the specific sea cucumbers, urchins and lobster that help or harm the coral reefs. In addition, I took care of mangroves two times. But, that was it. That was all I did in those three and half weeks.The second week came and I actually did NOTHING.
Beach where volunteers hang out
There were three staff members and two of them were sick (I became sick the week after too). This is understandable.
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However, there was no other program or job made for us. They should always have some backup plan in this situation. We woke up, had food and went sleep again. It all lacked a structure and any kind of organization. It made me nuts.
I do not recommend this Frontier project to anyone who is actually looking for DOING something! I did just 10 dives during the four week program--well actually three and a half weeks since I left early because I was so angry.
LACK OF INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED
The information that Frontier had given to me and also other volunteers wasn't correct. Once I signed the contract and payed for my project, they informed me three weeks before my departure that I will need to pay for my business visa or else I couldn't take part in project. That didn't make sense when I'm volunteering and I am one who actually PAID for it. No one was getting paid so why did we have to get a business visa?
The tourist visa was free for me but this one was another 270 SG$ (in Singapore currency, which is about $200 USD).The first time I thought that something was wrong was three weeks before I left for the trip. I received a letter with a list of things which I will need. It was really long and all things were quite price plus the thing with visa, however, the worst was the middle of second week, when I did actually nothing, that was probably the time I realized this sucks.
WAY OVERPRICED
I paid $2795.00 USD, just for the program, which did include meals such as noodles, rice and fruit, as well as accommodations that were shared with other volunteers. The housing was co-ed and hostel style. However final cost was much higher. You have to pay for your flight, which was around 670 SG$ (around $500 USD), then I paid for the visa 270SG$, and solar power charger they suggested because otherwise you don't have any power. That was around 250SG$ ($185 USD).
This was a present from my parents to me for my 20th birthday so my dad basically covered all cost, which is the reason he and my mom were also so angry. He even called it scam before I left.
UNCLEAR WHAT OUR PROGRAM FEE PAID FOR
I did ask how the money from our program fee was spent. I heard some people saying it was going for food, which was around 400FJ$ for a week supplies-I think for all 10 people who was there. Also a portion went to the staff there, but they said its not much. I could have been diving in Fiji for two weeks every day on better sites for the same money with a better place to stay and better food to eat. So please if you are looking for really good marine project on Fiji, don't go with Frontier.
https://frontiergap.com/projects/120/Fiji-Marine-Conservation-%26-Diving