Barefoot Kuata Resort Champions Marine Conservation and Rural Education

Kuata Island, Yasawa Group – February 2026

In the turquoise embrace of the Yasawa group of Islands, Barefoot Kuata Island Resort is proving that tourism can be more than leisure—it can be legacy. What began as a destination for travellers drawn to Fiji’s natural beauty has grown into a model of environmental stewardship and community empowerment.

Since 2023, the resort’s partnership with the Drawaqa Marine Conservation Trust (DMCT) has brought marine science directly into the lives of Namara District School students. Through the Marine Conservation Education Programme, children are not just learning about reef ecology—they are living it through hands-on reef excursions, letting students explore coral ecosystems; species identification and monitoring turn curiosity into scientific skill; and classroom lessons connect local knowledge with global science.

In September 2023, this journey reached a milestone: Fiji’s first Educative Marine Area (EMA). Here, students manage reef protection zones in Namara and Naviti, becoming guardians of their own ocean backyard. These initiatives empower children to take ownership of their environment while reinforcing Fiji’s commitments to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

Beyond education, Barefoot Kuata Resort has long championed marine sanctuary protection, shark conservation, and reef monitoring as part of its sustainability model. These efforts support scientific research, strengthen partnerships, and promote sustainable tourism practices that safeguard Fiji’s marine ecosystems.

In collaboration with DMCT and under the Duavata Project, the resort also co-funded a $200,000 ablution block upgrade for Namara District School. Constructed between September 2024 and March 2025 and commissioned later that year, the facility has significantly improved sanitation, student wellbeing, and learning conditions.

Namara District School serves the villages of Namara, Yamata, and Naboro in the Yasawa Islands. Teachers, students, and community members have been actively engaged in the conservation programme, participating in reef activities, awareness sessions, and ongoing collaborations documented through marine education media. With support from Fiji’s Education Ministry, the school’s journey shows how national priorities can align with grassroots action.

By combining marine conservation with rural education, Barefoot Kuata Island Resort and the Drawaqa Marine Conservation Trust are setting a benchmark for sustainable tourism in Fiji. Their work strengthens environmental stewardship, improves rural education outcomes, and positions Fiji as a leader in science-based conservation and community-centred tourism.

ENDS.

Source: Fiji Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation

Photo Credits: https://sharksandcorals.com/education-in-fiji/