10 January, 2026, 10:48 pm Central - 24°C Rain

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

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