Coral planting in Fiji a cruise that does good

It also has a range of conservation and education programs in Fiji, which it is expanding with the opening of the nation's borders for quarantine-free arrivals.

Call it a way to sail the South Pacific while helping the environment.

Late last year the company launched its citizen science initiatives, expanded coral planting and announced its guest expert for January would be Professor Kris Helgen, chief scientist and director of the Australian Museum Research Institute.

With its team of marine biologists and ocean ambassador programs Captain Cook Cruises has been pioneering conservation and marine science activities and education in Fiji through its 3- to 11-night cruises on Reef Endeavour and day cruises to Tivua Island.

The reopening of borders gives new impetus to its programs. Coral planting continues to grow at its private Tivua Island, where passengers can take part in the "Buy a Coral, Build a Reef" program. Tivua is surrounded by 20 hectares of reef.

Both Captain Cook's expedition-style 2- to 11- night small ship cruises as well as its tall ship day-sail experiences to Tivua lend themselves to immersive experiences.

The marine science opportunities are also enhanced by remote destinations, cultural experiences, unspoilt beauty and the company's fabulous Fijian crew.

Their citizen science projects allow passengers to observe species found in each location using the iNaturalist online network. Guests also have the opportunity to upload their own observations and even discover a new species as a result.

Kris will sail aboard Reef Endeavour on January 22-29 during the first of the 2022 sailings to the Lau Group and Kadavu.

The Harvard-educated professor has spent much of the past 25 years exploring the Asia Pacific looking for new and overlooked mammal species.

He was a guest lecturer at the Smithsonian and National Geographic for 15 years, a professor and Fulbright Fellow at Adelaide University and has travelled in more than 50 countries doing field research on mammals.

He is well equipped with the latest on coral reef research through his oversight of the work done at Lizard Island Reef Research Station, part of the Australian Museum.

His guest lectures will cover topics such as "Wildlife of the Pacific Region", "Where Fiji sits in Biodiversity in the Pacific", "Preservation of the Biology of Reefs", "Life as a Species Discoverer" and more.

Reef Endeavour's voyage to the remote Lau & Kadavu islands sails only a few times a year. But due to popular demand, an additional departure has been announced for February 1-8.

Other 2022 voyages include sailings to the Mamanuca & Yasawa islands; a monthly remote Discovery cruise with one of three itineraries; the 7- and 11-night Lau and Kadavu; and the 7-night Remote North Discovery cruise to Levuka, Savusavu and Taveuni.

For more information and bookings, call (02) 9126-8160 or visit www.captaincookcruisesfiji.com