Nadi is on the western side of the island of Viti Levu, the main and largest island in Fiji.
Understand
Nadi is a transit point for other destinations in Fiji. It may not be such a great place to spend any time but you may find yourself here whilst awaiting ferries, boats to outer islands or planes to and from home.
If you do decide to stay in or around Nadi, make sure you are prepared to be approached by people trying to get you into their shop as you walk down the main street. These people aren't threatening, but you do need to watch your valuables.
You may also encounter an underlying air of racism between the Indian and native Fijian populations, but this rarely comes out in the open.
Get in
Nadi International Airport (NAN) is Fiji's main international gateway.
Get around
It is possible to hire cars, or take taxis, but these are expensive options when there is a great local bus service at your disposal. Travel with the locals in open-air comfort for a fraction of the price of a hire car. All buses are marked on the front with the names of the two towns they travel between. If unsure, ask the driver.
If you are staying at the Nadi Bay Hotel, simply walk to the end of that road and catch the local bus heading right (towards Nadi Town). The buses run every 20 minutes or so, and are just 50 cents FJD one-way to town.
Taxis have their hometown printed on the front bumper, if they are travelling back home they are not allowed to charge more than the busfare.
See
Do
Eat
Drink
Ed's Bar is a short walk from the Nadi Bay Hotel. Just head out to the main road and turn left (away from Nadi Town). You'll find pool table's, a small dance section and a beer garden. There is no cover if you are a traveller and no dress code either.
Sleep
Stay safe
You will hear on the grapevine quite a few stories of pickpockets and scams in Nadi. A recent story was that two young women were given an 'after hours' tour of the Hindu Temple in Nadi by a 'guide'. They were asked to leave their bags outside the temple as a mark of respect and returned to find them gone.
There is a police station in the centre of the main street if you have any problems.
Nadi (IPA:na.ndi) is the third-largest town in Fiji. It is located on the western side of the main island of Viti Levu, and had a population 30,791 at the last census, in 1996. Nadi is a multiracial town; many of its inhabitants are Indian or Fijian, along with a large transient population of foreign tourists. Along with sugar cane production, tourism is a mainstay of the local economy. The Nadi region has a higher concentration of hotels and motels than any other part of Fiji.
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 beautfiul Sri Siva Subramaniya temple on the east. It is the largest Hindu temple in the Southern hemisphere, and is a site for pilgrims. Muslims worship at the Nadi Mosque and the Ahmadiya Mosque.
Nadi is 9 kilometers from Fiji's main international airport, which is served by Air Pacific (the international airline of Fiji), Air New Zealand, Pacific Blue, Korean Air and some other domestic airlines such as Pacific Sun, Air Fiji and V.I.P charter airline Air Wakaya. Thus, Nadi is the principal port of entry for air travelers to Fiji, despite that it is almost diametrically opposite the nation's capital and largest city, Suva, on the island of Viti Levu.
Nadi is a hub of commerce and tourism, with about 18 hotels, and is popular among travelers seeking to take ferries to island resorts in Fiji's western Mamanuca Group of islands. The town is also close to the western mud-flat beaches. It is also close to the Nausori highlands to the east, and can access the Sabeto sa.mbe.to and Sigatoka si.ŋa.to.ka valleys. Other sites are the Waqadra wa.ŋga.ndra Botanical Gardens, and the Sleeping Giant Gardens, which house Raymond Burr's magnificent orchid collection.
