Wailoaloa Beach
Backpacker resortsBeach hostels with sunsets over the Mamanucas.
Fiji city guide
Nadi Travel Guide
Nadi is where you land in Fiji, and where nobody stays long. But it's where you sort out cash, a SIM and a Bula Pass, sleep off the flight at a beach hostel on Wailoaloa, eat a roti parcel at the market and catch the morning boat to the islands.
3
Hostels in the city
6.9
Average, from 4,241 reviews
From FJ$22
Dorm beds on Hostelworld
FJ$5–10
A roti parcel
Daily
Boats to the islands from Denarau
Nadi at a glance
Nadi, on the dry western side of Viti Levu, Fiji's main island, is the country's tourism gateway. Nadi International Airport is here, and nearly everyone passes through.
The town itself is a busy, functional strip of shops, banks, curry houses and a big market, with a large Indo-Fijian community and the colourful Sri Siva Subramaniya temple at the southern end of the main street.
Most backpackers don't stay in town. They stay at Wailoaloa Beach, a few kilometres from the airport, where backpacker resorts sit on a grey-sand beach with views across to the Mamanuca islands. Denarau, a reclaimed island to the south, has the big resorts and the marina where the Yasawa Flyer and Mamanuca boats leave every morning.
Nadi is the place to get organised: withdraw cash for the islands, where ATMs are almost absent, buy a SIM, book a Bula Pass and pick up kava for village visits.
One or two nights at either end of an island trip is all most people need. Day trips go to the Sabeto mud pools, the Garden of the Sleeping Giant and Lautoka.
Where to stay in Nadi
Stay at Wailoaloa Beach for backpacker resorts and sunsets, close to the airport. Nadi town is for shopping and the market; Denarau is the resort island and marina.
Nadi town
Shopping and the marketMain street, market, banks and the temple.
Denarau
Resorts and the marinaPort Denarau, where the island boats leave.
Lautoka
Local cityFiji's second city, 30 minutes north.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 3 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Temples, mud pools and the boat to the islands
The Sri Siva Subramaniya temple, at the end of the main street, is the largest Hindu temple in the southern hemisphere, painted in bright colours and carved by craftsmen from India. Visitors are welcome; dress modestly and remove shoes.
Nadi Market sells fruit, vegetables, spices and kava root. It's the place to buy your sevusevu, the gift of kava for village visits.
The Sabeto mud pools and hot springs, in the hills behind Nadi, are a cheap, messy afternoon: cover yourself in mud, bake in the sun, then soak in the hot pools.
The Garden of the Sleeping Giant, once owned by actor Raymond Burr, has a large collection of orchids and rainforest walks.
At Wailoaloa Beach, watch the sunset over the Mamanucas, and take a day cruise or snorkel trip from Denarau.
Lautoka, 30 minutes north, is Fiji's second city and sugar capital, with a big market.
Every morning, the Yasawa Flyer and Mamanuca boats leave Port Denarau for the islands.
Free things
Nadi for free (or nearly)
Wailoaloa Beach is free, with sunsets over the islands.
Walk Nadi Market and the main street.
Visit the Sri Siva Subramaniya temple for a small entry fee.
Watch the boats come and go at Port Denarau.
Hostels at Wailoaloa run free activities, kava sessions and beach games.
Food and drink
Roti parcels, curries and the market
Nadi is the best place in Fiji for cheap food. Indo-Fijian curry houses serve curries, dhal and roti, and a roti parcel from a market stall costs FJ$5 to FJ$10.
Try kokoda, raw fish cured in lime and coconut milk, the national dish.
The market sells tropical fruit, and supermarkets in town stock supplies for the islands, where food is expensive.
Beach resorts at Wailoaloa serve meals and cheap beers. A beer is FJ$5 to FJ$9. Tap water is drinkable in Nadi.
Nightlife
Beach bars and kava nights
Nadi's nightlife is mostly at the backpacker resorts on Wailoaloa Beach, with bars, fire shows, kava sessions and games.
A few bars in town and at Denarau stay open later.
Take a taxi at night rather than walking between town and the beach.
Getting around
Getting to and around Nadi
Nadi International Airport is about 9 km north of town, and Wailoaloa Beach is a short taxi ride from the airport. Many hostels offer pick-ups.
Local buses run along the Queens Road between Nadi, Lautoka and the Coral Coast, and are cheap.
Taxis are common; agree the fare or check the meter.
The Yasawa Flyer leaves Port Denarau every morning for the Yasawa Islands, and Mamanuca boats leave from the same marina. Most hostels arrange transfers.
Domestic flights from Nadi go to Taveuni, Savusavu and Suva.
Costs
What Nadi costs
Nadi is cheap compared with the islands. Hostelworld lists dorm beds from about FJ$22 at Smugglers Cove on Wailoaloa Beach.
A roti parcel costs FJ$5 to FJ$10, and a curry meal not much more.
Withdraw cash here before the islands, where ATMs are almost absent and cards are not always accepted.
The Bula Pass for the Yasawa Flyer costs FJ$500 to FJ$900, depending on duration.
Allow around FJ$60 to FJ$100 a day in Nadi.
Safety
Staying safe in Nadi
Nadi is safe, but petty theft happens, especially at night in town. Take taxis after dark and keep valuables secure.
Watch for touts and "friendly" strangers offering tours or souvenir carvings, and agree prices first.
The sun is strong; wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water.
Cyclone season runs from November to April. Follow official warnings.
Day trips from Nadi
Nadi is the base for mud pools, gardens and day trips to the nearby islands.
Sabeto mud pools
Mud baths and hot springs in the hills.
Garden of the Sleeping Giant
Orchid garden and rainforest walks.
Lautoka
Fiji's second city and its market.
Mamanuca day cruise
Island beaches and snorkelling.
What's on
What's on in Nadi
Nadi's calendar includes the Bula Festival in July and Diwali.
7 Aug – 31 Dec
Nicky & Ouvacast
Live music fills the air as Nicky & Ouvacast take the stage at The Beach Club Wailoaloa, bringing island rhythms to your Thursday through…
15 Jul – 10 Jan
From Fiji with Love
A live theatre performance tells the story of Manasa, a village man who falls for Manisha, a beautiful Indo-Fijian woman whose mother has other…
15 Jul – 10 Jan
Afternoon Arts Adventure
Fijian culture comes alive through hands-on workshops at VOU HUB, where you can try your hand at traditional dance, weaving, or playing the lali…
16 Jul – 11 Jan
Fiji Untold
Fiji Untold brings ancient mythology to vivid life through live theatre, following Lagi's journey into the bamboo forest where she encounters shapeshifting iguanas, octopus…
17 Jul – 12 Jan
Mystery of the Missing Hat
Jemima, a shy girl with Broadway dreams, finds herself on an unexpected adventure when a simple missing hat turns everything upside down. Along with…
20 Jul – 15 Jan
Cultural Night Tour
A walking tour through Fiji Culture Village brings you face to face with living traditions, from kava ceremonies to the earth-oven cooking method known…
21 Jul – 16 Jan
Cultural Day Tour
This day tour takes you into the heart of Fijian craftsmanship, where pottery making and weaving traditions have been handed down through generations. You'll…
Hostels
Hostels in Nadi
Nadi has three hostels on Hostelworld, all backpacker resorts on Wailoaloa Beach.
When to go to Nadi
Nadi is hot all year, with highs from 27°C to 31°C. May to October is the dry season and the best time. November to April is wetter, more humid and the cyclone season.
Jan
Wet and humid; cyclone risk
Feb
Wettest; cyclone season
Mar
Wet and quiet
Apr
Improving
May
Dry season begins
Jun
Dry and clear
Jul
Peak season; Bula Festival
Aug
Dry; excellent
Sep
Dry and warm
Oct
Still dry; Diwali (Oct or Nov)
Nov
Wet season starts
Dec
Hot and wet
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average daily highs from weather2travel's Lautoka climate data, about 30 minutes north. Nadi sits on the dry western side of Viti Levu. Crowd levels are our rough guide.
How much does Nadi cost per day?
Pick a style and a number of nights for a rough total. Per day, for one person, in Fijian dollars.
Estimates. Beds are based on Hostelworld prices in October 2026, converted from US dollars. The Bula Pass sits outside these figures.
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- Doing things—
Nadi FAQs
Prices and timetables change. Check before you travel.
Where should I stay in Nadi?
At Wailoaloa Beach, where the backpacker resorts are, close to the airport and with sunset views.
How long should I stay in Nadi?
One or two nights, before and after the islands.
How do I get from Nadi to the Yasawas?
On the Yasawa Flyer, which leaves Port Denarau every morning. Hostels arrange transfers.
Should I withdraw cash in Nadi?
Yes. ATMs are almost absent on the islands, and cards aren't always accepted.
What is there to do in Nadi?
The Sri Siva Subramaniya temple, the market, the Sabeto mud pools and Wailoaloa sunsets.
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