Compare Virgin Islands Volunteer Vacation by REI Adventures vs Honolulu Hawaii Experience 7D/6N by Bamba

Route Variation: Please note—Specific work locations may vary with each volunteer vacation departure.
Work locations may vary according to the needs of park rangers at the time the expedition takes place. Every Volunteer Trip departure is unique because, as volunteers successfully complete conservation and restoration activities, new activities or areas can be targeted on subsequent departures. Volunteer Trips offer the opportunity to experience the Park in a unique way not available to the average tourist. This trip is a good fit for adventurous travelers who are comfortable with a flexible itinerary and truly want to make a difference.

Day 1: Arrive for orientation and registration; free afternoon.
Our volunteer expedition begins in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. We meet at 9 a.m. for an orientation session. We then cross the island by van to the Red Hook Ferry, where we ride the car ferry for the 25-minute crossing to the island of St. John. Upon arrival on St. John we continue driving through Virgin Islands National Park along the North Shore road to give you a feel of the beautiful scenery, landscapes, rich history and beaches.

After a 45-minute drive we arrive at our new home, the Virgin Islands Environmental Research Station (VIERS) for check-in and lunch. After lunch we have our first organizational and safety meeting where we register and sign up as National Park Service Volunteers. The remainder of the day is free to explore Lameshur Bay, the Reef Bay Trail or visit the Tektite Museum. Lameshur Bay is a beach and calm bay used mostly by St. Jonians and is a five minute walk from VIERS and a good place to swim, snorkel or just bask in the sun.

Once inside the Park, we spend all nights in cabins at VIERS. All cabins are shared accommodations, with a maximum of ten people per cabin. Dinner included.

Days 2-6: Volunteer work each day from 8:30 to 4:30 with one relaxation day.
The remainder of the trip consists of a combination of work days with one rest day where you can choose your own activities. The exact schedule depends on the project location and the time needed to move from one location to another.

We start the day with breakfast at VIERS. On work days, after breakfast we pack a bag lunch, hike or travel by van to our project site, participate in the conservation project, then have dinner together back at VIERS. Our volunteer project days generally start when we leave our cabins around 8:30 a.m., returning back to camp at around 4:30 p.m. for some beach, swim, and snorkel time before dinner. For work projects, groups of 5-6 volunteers are teamed with an experienced leader. Training in all aspects of the work is provided. We may:

On rest day, we are free to relax at VIERS or explore the general vicinity. Activities available to volunteers on rest days include hiking in the Park, enjoying a remote beach or snorkeling or scuba diving day trips offered by local dive shops (at an additional cost). Our experienced leaders will offer suggestions that will help point you in the right direction.

Day 7: Depart our rewarding trip for home.
The Virgin Islands Volunteer Vacation concludes with breakfast this morning. After breakfast, we depart for St. Thomas in time to catch mid-afternoon departures at the St. Thomas Airport (STT). Volunteers can catch homeward-bound flights or can opt to extend their stay in the Virgin Islands for more fun in the sand and surf. Breakfast included.

Note on Itinerary

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule above, the itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control, including weather and terrain conditions. Work locations may vary with each volunteer vacation departure according to the needs of park rangers at the time the trip takes place.

Day 1: Honolulu, United States

Day 2: Honolulu, United States

Day 3: Honolulu, United States

Get ready to embark on an incredible downhill bike ride through Oahu’s mountain road with epic views above Waikiki, Honolulu and Manoa Valley
The trail is located on sacred land and offers visitors a different and unique glimpse of the island
During the 5-mile ride, you will be accompanied by a guide who will tell you the area’s cultural history as you discover diverse landscapes
When you reach the grassy park at the bottom, it's a short drive to Kewalo Basin for your 2-hour catamaran sail.
Leave your shoes for a snorkel to explore underwater while you keep an eye out for colourful reef fish
Enjoy some time to go swimming and snorkelling
To bring the day to a close, you will be transported back to your Waikiki hotel.

Day 4: Honolulu, United States

Day 5: Honolulu, United States

Get ready for the ultimate experience to soak up all the beauty and culture of Hawaii in just one day! After being picked up in Waikiki, you will be swept away to the island’s most breathtaking landmarks and destinations, including the spouting “Blow Hole,” and the renowned Kualoa Ranch, which is nestled against the stunning Koolau Mountains
Start your sightseeing tour with the Diamond Head, A 200,000-year-old defining volcanic structure formed in the Honolulu Volcanic Series
It’s a worldwide symbol of the Hawaiian Islands! Afterwards, visit Kahala Estates, a large concentration of some of the most expensive real estate and beachfront properties in Hawaii in which many celebrities and business moguls vacation homes.
Continue with the Halona “Blow Hole” Lookout and see how this volcanic lava tube propels water into the sky like a whale’s blowhole! Make a stop at the Waimanalo Town, a quaint, scenic town is known for its local flavor and numerous plant nurseries and agricultural lots that extend back toward the Koolau Mountains, followed by another stop at the Nuuanu Pali Lookout, the bewitchingly scenic lookout was also the site of the Battle of Nuuanu, one of the bloodiest conflicts in Hawaiian history
It was here that Kamehameha I conquered the island of Oahu on his quest to unite the Hawaiian Islands.
Get ready to visit the amazing Byodo-In Temple, a picturesque Buddhist temple tucked in the Valley of the Temples, is a half-sized replica of the 900-year-old temple in Japan
It has been featured in the TV series Hawaii Five-O, Magnum P.I., lost and the 2001 movie Pearl Harbor
Then, go to Chinaman’s Hat, the basalt islet in Kaneohe Bay, is shaped curiously like a hat
According to Hawaiian mythology, the island is formed from the remains of a giant lizard or dragon’s tail that was chopped off and tossed in the ocean.
For the final part of this amazing tour, get to know Kualoa Ranch to enjoy the Legends and Legacy at Kualoa Ranch Private Nature Reserve owned by eight generation descendants of Fr
Gerritt P
Judd. On 4,000 acres, it is one of the most sacred places on the island, with their goal to protect and enhance the natural beauty of the lands
The Laie Hawaii Mormon Temple, which is the first temple built by the Latter Day Saints Church outside the continental United States, this beautiful complex features breathtaking lush tropical gardens of Hawaiian foliage and flowers, cascading water features and more.
Last but not least, visit the North Shore Surfing Beaches, the surfing mecca of the world! Watch out for the massive waves that have attracted so many surfers to its shores
These beaches are also a popular area for filming
Finish at the Dole Plantation, Hawaii’s “Pineapple Experience,” see pineapples from all over the world and try the delicious Dole Whip ice cream. (Approximate 20 min stop.)
*Please note that hotel pick-ups are between 6:45 a.m. – 7:25 a.m.

Day 6: Honolulu, United States

Enjoy a sunset cruise specially created for fun-loving people! On this cruise, it doesn't matter if you come alone or accompanied, here you will find the best party partners while enjoying our famous "Holokai Hooch" cocktail
All drinks are included during the cruise! Give yourself a moment to relax with a refreshing drink while you enjoy an incredible sunset.

Day 7: Honolulu, United States

Transfer from Honolulu to Honolulu