Things to do in Nadi, Fiji: A Local Excursion with Great Sights Fiji

I visited Nadi, Fiji during a long layover while traveling from San Francisco, CA to Auckland, NZ (to go on a working holiday). While researching the trip, I learned that during layovers in Fiji exceeding 4 hours travelers are required to go through customs and immigration and enter the country – US passport holders will receive a visitor’s visa upon arrival.

In order to easily and comfortably explore the area while I was there for less than 24 hours, I booked a tour with Great Sights Fiji.

I’m so happy I did it this way. Not only did I get to see lush tropical forests and taste fresh cut pineapple, but I also got to spend time with two Fijian locals and two Australian tourists. Heaps better than staring at the wall at the airport, right!?

In this post, I’ll describe what you can expect from the Discover Nadi Tour with Great Sights Fiji – what it was like and where we went. Plus, some tips on how to prepare for your excursion.

About Nadi, Fiji

Fiji is a tropical island located in the South Pacific. Its closest neighbors are other small Pacific islands including Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Tuvalu, and the Samoas. New Zealand’s north island is about 1300 miles away, making Fiji a great pit stop for travel between the United States and New Zealand.

Nadi (pronounced Nan-di) is a small city located on the western side of Viti Levu, the largest of Fiji’s 330+ islands. The population surpassed 50,000 residents according to a 2012 estimate and is comprised of Fijian natives, Indo-Fijians, and a large portion of expatriates and tourists from other countries.

It is the home of the Nadi International Airport, the largest airport in Fiji, making it the main point of entry to the country for travelers by air. As you can imagine, tourism is one of the main drivers of the local economy. Nadi, although it is not the largest city, has the highest concentration of vacation accommodations.

• Language – English, Fijian, and Hindi are the main languages spoken across the country.
• Currency – Fijian Dollar. The exchange rate fluctuates, but $1 FJD = $.50 USD. Always check the rates! I use the XE Currency Exchange app.
• Weather – Tropical, warm year-round with a rainy season (November – April) and a dry season (May – October).

What to Expect from the Discover Nadi Tour with Great Sights Fiji

Fijians are incredibly friendly and welcoming, and will nearly bend over backward to accommodate you.

The staff at the Great Sights Fiji booth were the friendliest and I felt comfortable with them. They welcomed me with a cold bottle of Fiji Water and a beautiful shell lei that I kept as a souvenir. Then we got to talking about how to spend my layover in Fiji.

Originally, I wanted to take a Thermal Mud Pool tour but I was the only person interested at the time. To make it worth it for the driver and guide, there must be at least 2-3 people on a tour, so this one was not available.

Next, I chose the Discover Nadi tour, which had already begun for two young Australian girls. They called for the car to come back to the airport to pick me up, so I could join them for a drive around Nadi.

WARNING: Fijian friendliness is highly contagious. By the end of your tour around Nadi, you’ll be saying “Bula” (Hello) to everyone you pass by with a big smile and an open-hand wave. Just like the locals do.

The Discover Nadi tour is just a half-day excursion, lasting only about 4-4 1/2 hours.

Each site takes only about 20 minutes to drive to and the van is air-conditioned. While driving, the guide will tell origin stories and the history of cannibalism (don’t worry, it’s no longer practiced!), colonialism, and tourism in the country over the centuries. Fiji really is a fascinating country.

A tip for the tour guide is not compulsory but warmly received.

Local Tour Guide and Driver

Every Great Sights Fiji employee I met was a native Fijian, including the tour guide and the driver. They know the area and history the best, and love to answer questions about their country.

Garden of the Sleeping Giant

Famous for its collection of orchids and other tropical plants, this garden was founded in 1977 by Raymond Burr.

If you don’t know who that is, don’t worry, I didn’t either. Raymond Burr is an actor who starred in many movies, television + radio shows, and theatrical pieces from the 1940s through the 1990s. He must have really loved Fiji.

During your stop at the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, someone will lead you around and quickly point out a number of orchids and other plants. Then you are free to explore the grounds for 20-30 minutes on your own. Before you leave for the next destination, a glass of fresh fruit juice is offered to enjoy in a rocking chair on the covered open-air patio.

It’s a peaceful and quiet place with lily ponds, a swing, and hammocks among a lush, tropical landscape.

Viseisei Village

This historic seaside village is the legendary landing site of the very first Fijians, according to ancient Fiji lore.

The guide will quickly tour the village to show you the main chiefly house, village green, the community hall, and a Methodist church. You will also meet some local women selling crafts.

It is important to know that while you are in the village, it is inappropriate to wear hats and you must wear clothing that covers your knees and shoulders. This goes for both men and women. Wraps are available to borrow from the tour guide for anyone unprepared.

Nadi Hindu Temple | Subramaniya Temple

The tour continues to the largest Hindu temple in the south Pacific. A walk around the grounds and a brief history of the temple is given.

The grounds and the temple itself are colorful with ornate and intricate decorations throughout. You’ll see many murals and sculptures of Hindu gods including Shiva, Ganesh, and Lord Murugan, the god of seasonal rains and to whom the temple is dedicated.

Even though you are there for just 30 minutes or so, find a spot to sit and observe the people giving offerings of fruits and flowers to the gods and breathe in the scent of incense in the air. The experience is quite tranquil and relaxing.

Keep in mind, modest dress is required here as well. Your knees, shoulders, and chest must be covered. Wraps are provided by the tour guide and the gatekeeper at the temple.

Nadi Markets

The final stop on the Discover Nadi tour is to the Nadi Markets. Here you can sample fresh-cut pineapple and chat with local farmers. The pineapple was by far the best I’ve ever tasted. It was served up on a stick with a small, black plastic bag to catch the juices.

I wish more time was allocated to explore the market. The fresh, earthy smell of all the produce was refreshing. I could have people watched and photographed the market for hours. Every color of the rainbow was present and the interactions with and between the farmers were priceless.

Gift Shops

The guide brought us to a few different gift shops throughout the tour in between the main stops. One was inside a restaurant/bar and sold high-end resort wear and accessories. I wasn’t interested in a single thing they were selling.

Another gift shop was full of local traditional items such as hand-carved wooden statues and wall hangings. Plus, some more modern items like lotion made with local coconut oil. I loved the lotion so much that I bought two travel size bottles in the coconut and pineapple scents. I thought that, when worn together, I smelled like a fresh pina colada. Both bottles were quickly depleted within weeks of arriving in New Zealand!

Food + Beverages

Do not go on this tour on an empty stomach, or make sure to bring a snack. It’s not a strenuous tour but there is no time allotted to have a meal.

As described above, you’ll receive some juice at the garden and have time to purchase some pineapple to snack on at the market. Plus, the second gift shop also offered a much-needed afternoon coffee in a lounge area, but that’s it.

I was ravenous by the end of the tour, and I ate breakfast!

Here is a map of each stop on the tour (except gift shops because I don’t remember the names).

How to Book This Tour

If you’re visiting Fiji on a layover, wait until you’re at the airport, don’t book anything ahead of time! Wait to see what’s available and what you’re in the mood to do. Plus, you don’t want to miss a scheduled tour due to flight delays and long lines in customs + immigration, etc.

Great Sights Fiji has a variety of tours to choose from including beach excursions, a visit to a therapeutic mud pool, or cultural tours. The employees of any of the tour companies will be familiar with the need to be back at the airport by a certain time and will make sure you’re taken care of.

If you’re in Fiji for longer than one day, you can book the Discover Nadi tour or many other types of tours through Viator. Like a full day trip to a secluded island on a schooner with lunch included or a guided tour of Suva, the capital city, or Lautoka, Fiji’s second-largest city and its sugarcane capital.

How to Prepare For a Layover Excursion in Fiji

Before you head out on your Fiji adventure, take care of a few things first.

Change Your Clothes + Freshen Up

As I said, my flight from San Francisco to Nadi took about 11 hours, then getting through customs + immigration took about an hour. Being in lines and on a plane for that long made me feel icky and in need of a good splash of water on my face.

Plus, my northern California wardrobe was not ideal for the new tropical climate. So, I found the nearest restroom to change, brush my teeth, put in my contacts, and just generally get ready for the day.

Make sure your outfit is appropriate for the outing you wish to take and is culturally sensitive – at the very least, wear a shirt that covers your shoulders and chest.

Pack Your Day Bag + What to Bring With You

Before you leave the bathroom, pack everything you’ll need for the day in your day bag. That could include medication, a sun hat, sunblock, insect repellent, and snacks. I also recommend you take a camera to capture all the Fijian beauty. Additionally, if swimming is an option on your tour, you may want to take swimwear, a travel towel, and a change of clothes.

Read More: 50+ Stocking Stuffers World Travelers Will Love

Get Cash in the Local Currency

It seemed like cash is the preferred form of payment at the places I went to in Fiji. So, stop at the ATM machine located on the ground floor of the Arrivals Concourse before you buy anything. I used my Charles Schwab bank card (no foreign transaction or ATM fees!) to get cash to pay for luggage storage, get some food, and pay for my excursion. Take a little extra for any souvenirs you wish to buy while you’re there, too.

It’s best to know the exchange rate before you  (FYI, $2 FJD = $1 USD) and have an estimate of how much you’ll be spending before getting cash out.

Store Your Luggage for the Day

Before you go wandering around the island, put your luggage in storage for the day. Luckily, it’s easy and cheap to do at Nadi International Airport.

They charge $7.10 FJ (about $3.50 USD) per item for hand-held luggage (computer bags, personal items, daypacks); $9.50 FJ (about $5 USD) per item for suitcases and travel backpacks; and $14.20 FJ (about $7 USD) per item for oversize luggage. I’m not sure how they define oversize luggage but I assume it is similar to an airline’s definition.

Type of Luggage	Amount Per Day Fiji Dollars	Amount Per Day US Dollars
hand-held luggage	$7.10	$3.50
suitcases and backpacks	$9.50	$5.00
oversized luggage	$14.20	$7.00

You’ll find the storage room on the second floor of the Arrival Concourse (not the ground floor as stated on the airport website) and it is open from 5 am to 10 pm.

I left all of my electronics in this storage room for the entire day, including my laptop and DSLR camera. While I felt it was safe to do so, I also took the extra precaution of locking my backpack and suitcase with these luggage locks.

Eat a Good Meal + Get Hydrated

Load up on a good meal and lots of water before you head out of the airport. Food options in the arrivals concourse at the Nadi airport are slightly limited, though. There is a small food court where you can get a hot Flat White and some local fried snack items, along with bottled water and a few other convenience items.

I had a latte, potato wedges, and a few fried vegetable ball things that I paid $12 FJ (about $6 USD). I wish I had taken a photo of the food and the menu to remember what the food was called because I would love to recreate it at home, and also to help show you what is available for travelers! They were so delicious!

More Things To Do In Nadi

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