Nadi

Nadi's defining role is as the gateway to Fiji, and most visitors use it to reach the islands where the classic Fiji holiday happens. The hub is Port Denarau, on the resort island of Denarau just west of town, from where fast catamarans and boats fan out across the water. Closest are the Mamanuca Islands, a cluster of small, idyllic islands and sandbars ringed by reef — perfect for day trips, snorkelling, diving and island-resort stays, and home to the famous Cloud 9, a floating bar-and-pizza platform on the reef. Stretching north from them, the Yasawa Islands are wilder and more dramatic, a chain of volcanic islands with stunning beaches (including the Blue Lagoon), village stays and a range of accommodation from backpacker lodges to luxury hideaways, linked by the Yasawa Flyer ferry. South of Nadi along Viti Levu's shore runs the Coral Coast, an easy drive of reefs, resorts and villages. Whether you're heading out for a day's snorkelling or transferring to an island resort for a week, Nadi and Denarau are where the journey to the “real” Fiji begins.

Nadi town is a lively, down-to-earth place that reflects Fiji's multicultural society, and its standout sight is the Sri Siva Subramaniya temple at the southern end of the main street — the largest Hindu temple in the southern hemisphere, a vivid, intricately painted Dravidian-style complex with towering, sculpture-covered gopuram gateways, testament to the large Indo-Fijian community descended from indentured labourers brought to Fiji generations ago (modest dress and removed shoes are required to enter). The main street is lined with shops, handicraft and souvenir stores (be ready for friendly hard-sell), and tailors, and the Nadi Market is a colourful, authentic place to see tropical produce, kava root and local life. The town is also where you'll find practical services, restaurants serving Fijian, Indian and international food, and budget-to-midrange hotels for those overnighting before or after island stays. While Nadi is not a destination for its own beaches, a wander through town and a visit to the temple give a genuine, non-resort glimpse of everyday Fijian life.

The countryside around Nadi holds several worthwhile attractions, ideal for a day before heading to the islands or while staying on the mainland. The Garden of the Sleeping Giant, set in the foothills north-east of town, is a lush garden originally created for an orchid collection, with boardwalks winding through jungle, lily ponds and thousands of orchids beneath the Sleeping Giant mountain range (named for its reclining-figure silhouette). Nearby, the Sabeto Valley is home to the popular Sabeto hot springs and mud pools, where you can wallow in warm volcanic mud and thermal pools — a fun, relaxing and very photogenic local experience. The Sleeping Giant range itself offers short hikes and zipline adventures, and the area's villages can be visited for a taste of rural Fijian life. Other excursions from Nadi include the Coral Coast, the old capital and cultural sites further along Viti Levu, and river and highland tours into the interior. These mainland options round out a stay and show a greener, more rural side of Fiji beyond the beaches.

Fiji is famous for the warmth of its people, and the cheerful greeting “Bula!” follows visitors everywhere. Fijian culture centres on the village and the communal, and the rituals travellers most often encounter are the kava (yaqona) ceremony — the sharing of a mildly sedative drink made from pounded pepper root, offered as a gesture of welcome and respect — the meke, a traditional performance of song and dance, and the lovo, a feast of meat, fish and root vegetables cooked in an earth oven, often staged at resorts as a “Fiji Night”. Visiting a village is a wonderful experience but comes with etiquette: dress modestly, bring a small gift of kava (sevusevu) for the chief, and follow your host's lead. Practically, Nadi's airport is the country's main gateway, well connected across the Pacific and beyond; the town is compact and easily explored by taxi; and many visitors spend only a night here in transit before or after the islands. The best weather is in the drier season from May to October; November to April is hotter, wetter and the cyclone season. A relaxed attitude to “Fiji time” completes the experience.