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5 FUN & EXCITING Things to do in Nadi, Fiji

5 FUN & EXCITING Things to do in Nadi, Fiji

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Looking for the best things to do in Nadi, Fiji? Then you’ve come to the right place. After visiting Fiji multiple times, we found the absolute best things to do, from hidden gems to popular attractions. Read about them below!

If you’re planning on visiting Fiji, chances are that you’ll fly into Nadi International Airport. Many tourists leave Nadi immediately and head off to a remote island for their holiday in Fiji, which we think is such a shame! If you choose to stay in Nadi, even for just a couple of days, you’ll be rewarded with plenty of interesting and fun things to do that you wouldn’t experience on the smaller islands.

After traveling here multiple times (we even got married here!), we have found the absolute best things to do. From island hopping on a luxury catamaran to flying through the jungle on a zipline this list has something for everyone. So grab your sunscreen and let’s get into it! 

Don’t have time to read the full article? Check out this list of our absolute favorite things to do in Nadi:

  1. Learn about the incredible Fijian culture at the Fiji Cultural Village.
  2. Get your adrenaline pumping by going on the South Pacific’s largest zipline.
  3. Take a catamaran trip for a fun day out on the water.

1. Take a catamaran and snorkeling day trip

The South Sea Sailing Full Day Cruise boat anchored in the water
The South Sea Sailing Full Day Cruise boat anchored in the water

With the most beautiful turquoise-blue water, it’s a no-brainer that you have to go sailing at least once during your trip! Luckily one of Fiji’s top tours gets you out on the water with this full-day sailing tour on a brand-new catamaran.

You’ll feel like a real VIP aboard this 78-foot sailing catamaran cruising around the Mamanuca Islands. What we love about this tour is that it’s different every time. After getting a mimosa the moment you step on board (yes please!), our captain took note of the breezes and conditions of the day to decide our route.

No matter what route you take, you’ll find some secluded sand cays (basically tiny sandy islands near coral reefs) to relax at before you jump in the ocean or take the catamaran’s slide into the water to do a bit of snorkeling. All your gear is included too, so you’ll be able to travel light for this day on the water.

While getting off the catamaran is amazing, just relaxing on board is equally as nice. There are large shaded canopies, day beds, and even bean bags to relax on!

And did I mention the food?! It’s a step above with a gourmet buffet put together by an executive chef. The complimentary drinks (beer, wine, or soft drinks) after lunch were also a nice touch. The crew even created kind of a swim-up bar for us which was awesome! We felt so spoiled!

The sailing cruise is $120 USD per person and includes transportation to Port Denarau from most hotels in Nadi, Denarau, Wailoaloa, Momi Bay, and the Coral Coast. It’s one of our favorite day trips from Port Denarau.

2. Go on a sightseeing tour of Nadi 

Bailey with the Nadi Hindu Temple in Nadi, Fiji
Bailey at the Nadi Hindu Temple
Bailey at the Garden of the Sleeping Giant in Fiji
Garden of the Sleeping Giant in Fiji

Nadi is one of the biggest cities in Fiji, and although many people usually just pass through it on their way to the islands, there is actually a lot to see in and around the city that we think is worth exploring!

The main highlights of Nadi can actually be experienced in just half a day with this fun tour. You’ll visit the colorful Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple, which is actually the biggest Hindu temple in the Pacific, as well as head to a local market.

One of my favorite parts was seeing the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, which is a beautiful garden filled with thousands of orchids. There are lots of trails to explore in the garden and you can watch the frogs hop between the hundreds of lily pads in the ponds as you go. We thought it was absolutely beautiful, and spent about an hour exploring. 

Perhaps best of all is the stop at the Mud Pools and Hot Springs. This was definitely one of the best things to do in Nadi. You get into the mud baths and cover yourself in mineral-rich mud, then you wash it off and explore the different hot springs, which are all different temperatures. Trust us, your skin will feel SUPER smooth and soft after this. It’s an all-natural spa treatment! 

This tour costs $99 USD including hotel pick up and drop off if you’re staying in Nadi. It’s a half-day tour that departs at around 9 am and takes about 4.5 hours total, so you’ve still got the afternoon to chill out on the beach after a morning of exploration! 

Why We Book Tours with Viator

Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:

  • Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
  • Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
  • Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
  • Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
  • Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.

Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.

3. Go Ziplining!

Bailey ziplining in Fiji
Off I go!
Bailey having fun ziplining in Fiji
I had so much fun!

We absolutely love ziplining, so when we found out that Fiji is home to the South Pacific’s longest zipline we just had to give it a try!  

We took this epic full-day tour from Nadi which we highly recommend. You’ll get to explore a 16-cable course that covers 5 kilometers (3 miles) and takes you through limestone caves. There’s also a guided exploration of the caves, so we really felt like Indiana Jones! 

There are also some beautiful ocean views to enjoy as you sail through the trees and to top it all off, lunch is also included. We think this could be a great family day out, as long as your children are over the age of 5, or it’s also great for couples on a honeymoon in Fiji or groups of friends. 

Another thing that we love about this tour is that your guide will also teach you about the history, geology, and ecology of Fiji as you go, as well as share lots of cultural stories. So not only is it an amazing adventure, but it’s also a fun way to gain more insight into life on the beautiful Fiji islands. 

The tour costs $120 USD per person, and lasts for about 5 hours, so you can choose to go in the morning or the afternoon. All of your transport, activities, and hotel pick up and drop off are included, so everything is taken care of for you. 

4. Visit a floating bar

Seventh Heaven floating Bar in Fiji
It’s a floating paradise!
A cocktail from Seventh heaven Floating Bar in Fiji
The pina coladas were so good!

If spending a day relaxing on a floating platform in the middle of the gorgeous South Pacific Ocean is your idea of heaven – well, Seventh Heaven in Fiji has got you covered!

We took this day trip out to Seventh Heaven with some friends and wow did we have a fantastic day!

The tour to Seventh Heaven leaves Port Denaru (about 15 minutes from Nadi) and takes around 45 minutes by boat each way. Once there, you can relax on day beds and drink cocktails as you gaze out onto the bright blue water, or jump off the side and go snorkeling. If you get hungry, order some delicious food, or just have a few cocktails. We did a mix of the above and it seriously was one of the best places we visited in Fiji.

The prices at the bar are very reasonable too – we were pleasantly surprised. We also never expected the cocktails and food to be so good due to the remote location. However, they tasted fresh and were some of the best we had in Fiji. Oh and with table service, we never had to go to the bar!

It’s arguably the best bar in Fiji and is located in some of the most pristine waters you’ll ever see! If the photos above don’t get you excited, I don’t know what will!

A day trip out to Seventh Heaven starts at $77 USD and they can also arrange transport from your hotel for an extra fee.

5. Attend a cultural show

Sitting with the chief of a village on a Fiji Night Show tour
Sitting with the chief of a village on a Fiji night show tour
Fire dancers at the Fiji Night Show
The fire dancers!

There is so much to learn about the way the people of Fiji once lived and the way they live today. It’s also great to watch their traditional dances and listen to songs in a way that feels really authentic. That’s why I think everyone visiting Nadi should attend a cultural show such as this night tour in Fiji Cultural Village!

It’s a mock village where you can tour the bures (traditional Fijian bungalows), observe traditional handicrafts, and meet the chief. There’s also a kava ceremony, where you get to try this very earthy (read: muddy) tasting drink and learn all about its cultural significance. After that, you’ll enjoy a “lovo” dinner, which tastes much better – and you can even watch the food being removed from the underground oven to learn more about this unique cooking process. 

Then, as you eat, you’ll enjoy a cultural show involving singing and fire dancing, which really is incredible to watch. We thought that the dancers were insanely talented, and towards the end, they even invited some of the audience to join in! 

For us, a visit to the Cultural Village is a can’t-miss experience while you’re in Fiji and we’re so glad that we went. This experience is $77 USD and includes transportation, dinner, and entertainment, so we thought this was a great deal for 4 hours of fun!

Thanks for reading!

Bailey-and-Daniel-take-a-selfie-on-a-sandbar-while-on-the-South-Sea-Sailing-Full-Day-Cruise-in-Fiji through get your guide
Thanks for reading!

There you have it, the most fun and exciting things to do in around Nadi to make your trip to this island paradise even more special. I hope you found one or two activities calling your name. We can’t wait to return to Fiji and do some of these experiences a second time (they are that good!).

If you found this guide helpful, then take a peek at our other Fiji blogs including some favorites below:

Seventh Heaven vs Cloud 9 – My Honest Review of Fiji’s Floating Bars! 

13 BEST Things to do in Suva – A Guide to Exploring Fiji’s Capital City

13 BEST Fiji Honeymoon Resorts & Honeymoon Planning Guide