15 Unmissable Things to do in Nadi, Fiji

Tourists have a love-hate relationship with Nadi (pronounced nan-di). Found on the main island of Viti Levu, this isn’t the largest city on the island or even the capital, but due to the presence of Fiji’s international airport, it is the most well known.

Nadi is both bustling and quiet, and many travelers will simply pass through on their way to the nearby tropical islands of Yasawa or Mamnuncas, or elsewhere in Fiji.

Despite its reputation as a transport hub though, there are still a lot of things to do in Nadi Fiji.

This is a multicultural town, with great food and drink and plenty of culture if you know where to find it.

There are beaches and resorts nearby, while you’re only ever a short trip away from the beautiful highlands found inland.

To inspire your next tropical getaway, here are our favorite things to do in Nadi Fiji.

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15 Things to Do in Nadi, Fiji

1. Stroll Down Main Street

Main Street is where it all happens in Nadi and it’s the best place to start your visit here.

This is the commercial and touristic hub of the town, where you’ll find bars and restaurants and a seemingly disproportionate number of souvenir shops too.

Take a stroll along Main Street if you’re looking to take home a few souvenirs or gifts from your time in Fiji, but just remember to haggle for the best price and to shop around!

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2. Shop the Nadi Town Market

Handmade items for sale at the Nadi Town Market in Fiji

Another great place to visit in the town itself is Nadi Town Market, where you can find even more shopping opportunities.

This is more of a local shopping opportunity. Here you’ll find that the market is packed with fruit and vegetable stands selling a colorful array of produce that’s been brought in from the local villages and the cooler highlands inland.

For the most authentic experience, call into the market on Saturday mornings, when the stalls are packed out and the atmosphere is bustling.

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3. Visit the Fiji Culture Village

If you’re looking to learn more about local traditions and history, then one of the best things to do in Nadi Fiji is to visit the Fiji Culture Village.

Laid out like a traditional Fijian village has been for centuries, locals show tourists age-old traditions such as the iconic Kava Drinking Ceremony.

The best time to visit is for the evening shows when you’ll be treated to a sumptuous Fijian buffet and plenty of drinks, while you’re entertained by fire dancers. Yes, it’s touristy, but it is fun and cultural too.

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4. Visit the Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple

Fiji is a multicultural island nation, and much of the local population are descended from Indian immigrants who arrived when the country was part of the British Empire.

Many settled here, and one of the best things to do in Nadi Fiji is to call into the Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple to learn more.

This is a colorful Hindu Temple, and one of the town’s biggest landmarks. It’s always busy and bustling, so be respectful if you visit, but rest assured that you’re more than welcome.

5. Head to Denarau Island

Many tourists will be in Fiji for the beaches, palm trees and coconuts, and you can find all that on Denarau Island.

This resort island is attached to the mainland by a causeway, making access easy, and it’s just a short drive away from Nadi.

Denarau Island is where you’ll find the best hotels and resorts in Nadi, as well as bars and restaurants catering to tourists.

This is where you can find your quintessential Fjian getaway, where you can lounge in the sun or sip cocktails on the beach.

Read more 11 Epi c Day Trips from Denarau, Fiji

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6. Relax at a Resort

Lina Stock of Divergent Travelers Adventure Travel Blog at a luxury resort in Fiji

Of course, one of the best things to do in Nadi Fiji is nothing at all, and on Denarau Island or along the coast at other resort locations, you can find some of the country’s best hotels.

If you’re on holiday, then why not check into a flashy resort, enjoy the swimming pools, the great food and the beaches and make the most of your time in tropical Fiji.

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7. Enjoy the Sabeto Hot Springs and Mud Pools

Sabeto Hot Springs and Mud Pools Nadi Fiji

If you’re really looking for relaxation though, then one of the best things to do in Nadi Fiji is to visit the Sabeto Hot Springs and Mud Pools.

Located outside of the town itself, this is a chance to get closer to nature, as you can bathe in the natural mineral waters and smear yourself in cleansing mud.

It’s a unique and muddy experience, but one that will leave you feeling fresh and relaxed, and ready for your next Fijian adventure.

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8. See the Garden of the Sleeping Giant

And that next Fjian adventure is close by because after your relaxing session in the mud pools, you can visit the Garden of the Sleeping Giant.

This is one of the most iconic things to do in Nadi Fiji because it’s a place that’s incredibly different to the town and to the beaches.

This is a perfectly landscaped, tropical garden, and it sits majestically in the shadow of the Sleeping Giant Mountain which rises high above in the highlands.

Walkthrough the wonderfully curated and kept gardens, admiring the huge diversity of fauna that’s been growing here for decades.

The highlight of the Garden of the Sleeping Giant is the hundreds of colorful Orchids that bloom here.

Our Top Recommended Tours: Nadi Tour- Garden of the Sleeping Giant, Temple & Mud Pool Combo

9. Explore the Koroyanitu National Heritage Park

Waterfall in Koroyanitu National Heritage Park Nadi Fiji

The Garden of the Sleeping Giant is found on the edge of the pristine Koroyanitu National Heritage Park, which is easily one of the best things to do in Nadi Fiji if you’re up for a little adventure.

The highlands are beautiful, and this protected area is home to tall mountain peaks and dense jungle scenery.

There are hiking trails leading to waterfalls and hiking trails that traverse the base of the mountain peaks too. You can hire guides for journeys deeper into the national heritage park if you want a real jungle experience.

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10. Spend a Day on Nadi Bay beach

If you’re here for beaches rather than the jungle, then take a trip to Nadi Bay Beach, one of the best things to do in Nadi Fiji.

Here you can find not only a great shorefront, but an excellent array of hotels, apartments facing over the beach, and resorts too.

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11. Get Off The Beaten Path at Wailoaloa Beach

The best sea views in Nadi though are always going to be found at Wailoaloa Beach.

While you won’t find white sands, like other parts of Fiji, you will find tranquil ocean breezes as you look out across the vast expanse that is the Pacific Ocean.

The lack of pure white sand ensures Wailoaloa Beach hasn’t been hugely developed.

It’s the perfect place if you’re looking to escape the bustle of the more touristy areas and find a bit more peace and quiet while you’re in Nadi.

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12. Indulge in the Food and Drink

Sunset dinner table at a resort in Nadi Fiji

Of course, one of the best things to do in Nadi Fiji is to eat and drink and there are endless options in the town and in the resort areas.

It’s easy to find international restaurants and bars at the hotels, but take the time to get a little bit more cultural and to try a few local delicacies too.

Try the local Tavioka dishes (cassava, usually accompanied by some rice and meat) and don’t forget to indulge in the fresh fish, if you’re a seafood lover.

Given the large Indian population in Nadi, you can rest assured that you’re going to find a great curry.

Try out the local Indian eateries, where you’ll be amazed at the staggering price difference in comparison to the hotel restaurants.

13. Attend a Festival

As well as eating and drinking lots, you can also time your visit to coincide with a local festival, of which there are plenty held in Nadi throughout the year.

There are always lots of colorful Hindu parades and festivals heading through town on their way to the temple, while the main Fijian Bula Festival is held every July, and sees wild festivities being held across Nadi.

14. Take a Boat Trip to the Yasawa Islands

Lina Stock of the Divergent Travelers Adventure Travel Blog on a beach in the Yasawa Islands, Fiji

Nadi is the gateway to the tropical islands of Fiji, and the town makes the perfect base for exploring. You’re only ever a short boat ride away from the beautiful islands off the west coast of Viti Levu.

The Yasawa Islands are one of the most iconic places in Fiji, and you can reach them on a day tour, either via ferry or via seaplane.

Relax on the island resorts, sit back in the sand and enjoy a few cocktails. Alternatively, you can get adventurous and enjoy a spot of snorkeling, diving or sea kayaking around the Yasawa Islands.

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15. Spend A Day in the Mamanuca Islands

It’s also easy to reach the Mamanuca Islands when you’re staying in Nadi, and this archipelago is every inch as beautiful as the neighboring Yasawa Islands.

The Mamanuca Islands are perfect for island hopping, so join a day tour from Nadi and enjoy white sand beaches and pristine coral reef.

The Pacific Ocean here is teeming with life, and the islands are surrounded by colorful coral. The snorkeling here is possibly some of the best in Fiji, so make sure you explore the underwater world as well as the beaches.

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Article by David Stock

I have always been an outdoorsman so becoming an adventure traveler was just the next natural step. I love nature, I love to get off the beaten path and I like to explore. I enjoy scuba diving and cars. And yes, Lina and I have a naked dog.