Marine Science Excursion in Tuvalu

Your educational student tour has begun as you travel to Tuvalu. As your plane descends, keep an eye out for the island’s white sands and crystal-clear water. This is your new home for the next week! A local guide will wait to meet you at the airport and transfer you to your beach resort. 

You have the rest of the afternoon to rest, unpack, and explore. Take a dip in the infinity pool, stroll along the beach, or grab some coffee in the lobby café. In the evening, you will regroup with your guide to enjoy a buffet dinner, which provides you with an excellent opportunity to get to know your guide who will be with you throughout your trip.

Today you are off to the Kogatapu Conservation Area, bursting with 33 kilometers of water and land. As you might expect, the area has reefs, lagoons, channels, and island habitats. This broadleaf forest protected area is home to seabirds, turtles, and crabs. A marine scientist will accompany you on each of your day trips to educate you on the island’s complex ecosystem and wildlife. Today, you will go on a nature walk to learn about the different plants and trees of Tuvalu and their functions for the island. Next, jump into the ocean to snorkel among a variety of colorful fish. Your guide will point out and inform you about the various rare marine life species. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach before free time.

Start the day with the locals as they take you to church on the back of their motorcycles. Following this, you’ll head to their homes to enjoy a lunch of coconut, chicken, and fish. Be prepared to get a little messy as the locals eat with only their fingers! Next, you’re off the Tuvalu Marine Training Institute. Join students as you train to be one of the 120 cadets to live for a year on an international cargo ship. They will soon work as fishermen, cooks, or marine engineers.

It’s time to head back into the water as your boat to the island of Kuanati. Here you will swim among colorful coral to learn about the different species. Keep an eye out for plastic in the ocean. Dive down to dispose of it properly to protect Tuvalu’s marine life! After lunch on shore, you will be guided to the island’s soft sands to find the hatching of turtle eggs. Watch as they make their way into the ocean to start their life. If any meander astray, help guide them to the water. What an experience!

Spend the day on last as you discover Tuvalu’s historical and archaeological attractions. During  WWII, American troops were stationed on these islands. The remains of their plans and weapons are visible in Nanumea, including the wreck of a landing craft. After lunch, explore well-preserved underground bunkers. Some reach depths of nearly 1000 feet. Yikes!

For your final day in Tuvalu, you’ll cruise on a luxury yacht. Suntan on its deck, enjoy champagne (for our adult navigators!) and fruit and try driving the water vehicle. When you finally reach the deep waters of Neverland, it’s time to get down to business. After thorough instructions, you will dive down into the ocean’s depths to deliver coral to its dying reefs. Ask your guide about how global warming is affecting marine life in Tuvalu, as well as the rest of the world. On your way back, enjoy the views of the sun setting on the horizon.

Time has flown by, and you have reached your final day in Tuvalu. Enjoy an early breakfast with your group and guides to reflect on your favorite moments of the trip, as well as the knowledge you will bring home with you. Following this, you’ll be transported to the local airport to head back to your country.