Need to know
Nadi is located on the west coast of Viti Levu, Fiji’s largest island. Home to the country’s biggest airport, Nadi is the main tourist and transport hub of Fiji, with thousands of travellers passing through the city on their way to less accessible regions of the 332-island archipelago.
Although most people don’t spend a lot of time in Nadi itself, the city does have a number of draw cards. The beaches of New Town and Wailoaloa are wide and flat, making them perfect spots for sunbathing, walking, and playing beach sports. Stroll along the shaded walking track in the Garden of the Sleeping Giant and come across swings, ponds, hammocks and thousands of orchids, before rounding off your visit with a complimentary fruit juice. For a summertime adventure, head to ritzy Port Denarau and board a ferry to the Mamanuca Islands; here, you can go snorkelling in the crystal clear waters of Fiji’s coral reefs.
Those looking for a taste of local life should explore Nadi Produce Market. It’s here that you will find the freshest fruit and vegetables in town—and all at very reasonable prices. Further south along Queens Road lies Sri Siva Subramaniya, the largest Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere. This colourful temple is extremely photogenic and plays host to a number of festivals and events throughout the year. One example is the monthly Karthingai Puja festival, during which time Hindus will visit the temple to receive blessings, make offerings, burn camphor, and smash coconuts.
Getting around
The local buses in Nadi are cheap and fairly easy to use; departure and arrival locations are usually displayed on the front of the bus. If open-air journeys aren’t your thing, simply hail a taxi to enjoy your trip in air-conditioned comfort instead. Minivans and carrier vans often pick up commuters for a similar price to buses, however, some are not legally operated and drive less safely. Although it’s possible to hire bicycles and scooters in Nadi, we recommend doing so with caution; many locals are not used to two-wheeled motorists and therefore lack the courtesy that most foreigners expect.
Best Time to Visit
Thanks to its tropical climate, Nadi enjoys fairly consistent weather with only minor changes in temperature from season to season. Nadi generally stays between 23 and 32 degrees in summer, and drops to a pleasant 18 to 28 degrees in winter. A significant portion of tourists visit Nadi between July and September, when the days are slightly cooler and rainfall is at a minimum. Those looking to avoid peak season prices should visit in October and November, either side of which you’ll encounter busier beaches and higher prices due to the Australian and New Zealand school holidays.
Airports
Nadi International Airport
Nadi International Airport is located about 6 km from the centre of Nadi. The largest airport in Fiji, Nadi Airport accommodates over 95% of the country’s international travellers. Flights travel to Nadi International Airport from a number of destinations, including Sydney, Melbourne, San Francisco, Hong Kong, Auckland and Suva. A taxi or bus ride from the airport to the city centre takes around 15 minutes.
