2 February, 2026, 4:43 am Central - 23°C Clouds

Baleca explores Antarctica and aims to inspire Fijian female mariners

Baleca explores Antarctica and aims to inspire Fijian female mariners

By Cindy Chand
11/04/2024
Fijian seafarer, Naina Baleca shares her experience exploring Antarctica on social media where many proud Fijians and Pacific Islanders have been cheering her on. (Supplied: Naina Baleca)

Naina Baleca is one of the ‘coolest’ Fijians as she is currently travelling around the frozen continent of Antarctica for her Nautical Science Diploma studies with the New Zealand Maritime School.

The former Fijiana 7s rugby player and a seafarer says everything about Antarctica is unreal.

She has seen penguins, whales, only a handful of sunsets, and massive icebergs.

Baleca says coming from a small Pacific country, it's the biggest achievement in her life.

She says setting up a path for female seafarers is another feeling that she cannot explain and she is just making everyone proud back home.

Baleca says that it is her dream to obtain her officer's ticket and in maybe five or 10 years, become the captain of a "big, big ship".

She wants to set an example for the younger generations, as well as inspire more women to join the maritime industry.

The former player urges people to embrace the adventure and excitement that comes with a career at sea.

Balenca’s comments on social media are filled with messages from proud Fijians and Pacific Islanders from all over the world cheering her on.

Source: ABC

FEATURE NEWS
Fiji thump France 21-12 to win back to back Singapore titles
The Fiji Airways Men's National side have finally won back to back Singapore 7s titles after beating France 21-12.Vuiviawa Naduvalo who scored Fiji's ...
4 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Singapore 7s: Ulunisau double couldn't help Fijiana overcome France
Reapi Ulunisau's double could not help the Fiji Airways Fijiana side as they went down 17-14 to France in the 5th place play off at the Singapore ...
6 hours ago

Singapore 7s: Fijiana edged 17-14 by France in 5th place playoff
Fijiana with ball in hand, ball lost forward as France counter attack from their 22 2" Noel scores for France FRA 7-0 FIJ 3" Fiji get a ...
8 hours ago

D-day on whether President and PM acted under the Constitution in dismissing Malimali
The Suva High Court will deliver it's ruling tomorrow after the judicial review on whether the President, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu and Prime Minister, ...
11 hours ago

Judgement Day for Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Mohammed Saneem
It is judgement day for former Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem in court tomorrow.Chief ...
11 hours ago

Tabuya confirms key requirements for Great Han set by the Ministry remain unmet
Minister for Information, Environment and Climate Change, Lynda Tabuya has made it clear that the Ministry will be pursuing the appeal in the Great ...
11 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Ailava Samuels to represent Fiji in Miss Pacific Pageant
Miss Fiji 2025 first runner-up and Miss Nasinu, Ailava Samuels, has been officially appointed as Fiji’s representative to next month's Miss ...
11 days ago

Referendum Bill risks undermining democracy - Dialogue Fiji
The National Referendum Bill risks undermining democracy by criminalising political expression, enabling state overreach and excluding young people ...
13 days ago

Shocking move : FNU reassigned under PM
The Fiji National University is being reassigned under the Prime Minister's Office Ministerial Portfolio via the Ministry of Strategic Planning, ...
13 days ago

TOP