November 4: Nadi

Nadi is a small town on the western coast of Fiji’s main island, yet it hosts the country’s largest international airport. The capital, Suva, located on the eastern side of the same island, has only a small airport due to its mountainous terrain and higher rainfall.

Nadi is a small town located close to both the airport and Port Denarau, from where ferry services depart to Fiji’s paradise islands. I decided to spend a day in Nadi before heading to the islands to figure out the best way to explore them. There is so much information online that it can be overwhelming, and sometimes the best approach is to get local advice. Nadi itself has enough things to see and do, making it well worth spending a day here. My hostel offered a private driver for a day at around 120 FJD (about 50 EUR), but in the end, I managed to do everything on my own using local buses and some walking for just 4 FJD.

Here are the three main attactions around Nadi :

• Garden of the Sleeping Giant – This lush botanical garden features beautiful orchids and tropical plants, with some areas feeling more “jungly” than typical botanical gardens, which I appreciated. Located near Nadi, it’s perfect for a peaceful stroll with scenic mountain views.
• Sabeto Hot Springs and Mud Pool – Just 2 km from the botanical garden, these natural mud pools and hot springs offer a unique, relaxing experience surrounded by green landscapes. You cover your body in mud, let it dry in the sun, and then wash it off in the hot pools.
• Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple – the largest Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere—was, in my opinion, a disappointing experience that can easily be skipped. Located next to a busy road, the setting isn’t very appealing, and the temple itself felt surprisingly small, especially compared to even the smallest temples I visited in India. However, if you’ve never been to a Hindu temple, it might still be worth a visit.

Click down below for some Nadi Pictures :