Bondi Lifeguards Train in Vanuatu Through Carnival Program

The Bondi lifeguards have delivered vital water safety training to communities in Vanuatu as part of a Carnival Cruise Line initiative supporting destinations across the South Pacific.

The team, well known from the TV series “Bondi Rescue,” spent a week in the region visiting Mystery Island, the nearby community of Aneityum and Port Vila. During their visit, they trained more than 100 Ni-Vanuatu residents in skills such as identifying rips, performing safe water rescues and administering CPR and basic First aid.

Bruce “Hoppo” Hopkins, Bondi lifeguard and founder of the Float to Survive program, said: “This program teaches people how to stay calm in a potentially life-threatening situation in the water.”

“They’re taught simple yet vital skills that can save lives. It was fantastic to see how much the participants learned and improved their skills in just a few days,” Hopkins added.

According to the World Health Organisation, Vanuatu has the fourth-highest drowning rate globally. Despite being an island nation of 83 islands, many children never learn to swim.

Carnival said the training forms part of its Pacific Partnerships program, which enables the cruise line and its guests to support the destinations they visit. The company also launched a Learn to Swim initiative this year for children in Port Vila, providing lessons to more than 200 young students.

“Our guests love Vanuatu, and the warm welcome they receive, so we hope they’ll be delighted to see how this project is improving the wellbeing of the local community,” said Sandy Olsen, Carnival’s Vice President of External Affairs.

In 2026, Carnival Cruise Line ships are scheduled to call at Port Vila 29 times and at Mystery Island 45 times, bringing nearly 150,000 guests to the South Pacific.