Fiji Islands Travel Guide | Discover the Islands

Nadi – The Jet set Town

Nadi town Man. If you like action, hustling and bustling, jam-packed streets, hot, hot climate and heaps of people, then Nadi is the place for you.

Nadi (pronounced Nandi) is on the western side of the main island of Viti Levu with a population of around 43,000 at the last census in 2007. Fiji doesn’t have too many of these so we’ll be guessing numbers from now on for a while.

Nadi is multiracial with a capital “M”. A mixture of Fijians and Indo-Fijians with an added zest of life imbued by the thousands of tourists who land in Nadi as the setting-off point for their unforgettable Fiji experience.

Set in the middle of the cane field belt, which together with tourism is the basic source of sustenance for the locals, Nadi is constantly on the go and never seems to sleep.

The Main Street in Nadi is the commercial centre of the town and is brimming with shops of various persuasions all hell-bent on enticing you inside to buy something. The competition is fierce hence the prevalence of street touts offering you all sorts of ‘stuff’ at cut rate bargain prices. These efforts go hand-in-hand with loudspeakers at shop entrances belting out the latest Hindi or Fijian music. All in all it tends to be a cacophony of sound, sight and colour.

But like we said – that’s Nadi.

Expect a warm, welcoming smile wherever you go in Nadi

See you in Nadi....

Eat, drink and shop 'till you drop

Nadi doesn’t have its share of fabulous white sand beaches – for that you have to hop on a boat and go to the Mamanucas or the Yasawas.

The number of hotels, motels and backpacker accommodation is too extensive to go into however be assured whatever your taste in accommodation, whether you are transiting or staying for a day or so, Nadi’s range will have something to suit you. The rate can start from as low as $25 a night and go as high as $150 and upwards.

Restaurants are also limitless. A complete range of local and international culinary delights is available in Nadi town itself or a bit further towards the airport at Martintar or Namaka which have sort of turned into satellite towns or suburbs of the main town.

With its large Indo-Fijian population, Nadi is a centre for Hinduism and Islam in Fiji. The downtown area is defined by the Nadi River and Viseisei village on the west side, and the beautiful Sri Siva Subramaniya temple on the east. It is the largest Hindu temple in the Southern hemisphere and is a site for pilgrims.

Nadi International Airport located 9 kilometers from the city is the largest airport in Fiji and is served by international and local airlines. Thus, Nadi is the principal port of entry for air travelers to Fiji, even though it is on the opposite (western) side of the island of Viti Levu from the nation's capital and largest city, Suva. Get used to the sound of low flying jets at all times of the day and night as they arrive (and leave) and disembark our welcome guests.

Nadi is not flush in terms of tourist attractions but as mentioned the Sri Siva Subramaniya temple is absolutely stunning and offers a unique experience and the opportunity to see another culture in all its stunning beauty. Craftsmen from India were especially flown in to create this masterpiece. Those wishing to enter must take off their shoes and ladies are required to cover shoulders and legs with a sulu. Smoking and photography inside the temple is not permitted.

The Nadi market is worth a visit as it reflects the multi-ethnicity of Nadi (and Fiji in general) and close by you can also bargain for handicrafts from the handicraft market. Not quite the range of the commercial outlets in Nadi but a lot cheaper.

Basically when you get down to it Nadi is a “stepping off” point for the Mamanucas and the Yasawas or wherever else takes your fancy.

It has some great nightclubs (check out Nightlife in Nadi link) and offers a frenetic pace for the active tourist.

Nadi also boasts an 18-hole par-70 golf course aptly named Nadi Airport Golf Club with another course located at Denarau.