Welcome to Fiji’s sun-splashed Viti Levu—where Nadi serves as the warm, welcoming gateway to island time. The town’s rhythm is set by Port Denarau’s marina, the scent of frangipani, and the sing-song bula greeting that sets even frequent travelers at ease. With the Mamanuca Islands just offshore, this is the Fiji of your daydreams: powdery sand, reef-lagoon hues, and coconut palms swaying to the trade winds.

A short ride inland reveals a different Fiji: orchids tumbling over volcanic foothills at the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, and Sabeto’s natural mud pools and hot springs—nature’s spa steeped in local lore. Add in a village welcome, a kava ceremony, and flavorful Indo-Fijian cuisine, and you have a compact journey through Fiji’s soul.

Practical notes: Fiji uses the Fijian dollar (FJD), English is widely spoken, and Sundays tend to be quiet in villages. Pack reef-safe sunscreen and a light rain shell. For flights into Nadi (NAN), compare options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; nonstop times are about 10.5 hours from Los Angeles, 3.5 hours from Auckland, and 4 hours from Sydney. Taxis and resort shuttles are plentiful; Port Denarau is typically a 20–25 minute drive from the airport.

Nadi

Nadi is Fiji’s busy, breezy hub: Port Denarau’s yachts and restaurants anchor the coast, while Wailoaloa Beach delivers casual sunset strolls and live music. In town, the bright gopurams of Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple speak to Fiji’s rich Indo-Fijian heritage, and the handicraft market is ideal for wood carvings and masi (tapa) souvenirs.

• Top sights: Garden of the Sleeping Giant, Sabeto Hot Springs & Mud Pool, Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple, Port Denarau Marina, Wailoaloa Beach sunsets.
• Why base here: Quick access to day cruises in the Mamanuca Islands; wide range of eateries from modern Fijian to Indian and seafood; easy airport transfers.
• Coffee and breakfast favorites: Bulaccino (house-roasted espresso, fruit smoothies), Taste Fiji Kitchen (fresh-baked pastries, kokoda bowls), Café O at The Palms (classic flat whites, light breakfasts), The Coffee Hub (iced lattes, hearty brunch plates).
• Where to stay: Compare beach resorts and marina hotels on Hotels.com – Nadi or self-catering villas near Denarau via VRBO – Nadi.
• Getting there: Book international flights to Nadi (NAN) on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; expect FJD $20–$40 for a taxi to Denarau, 20–25 minutes depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrival, Port Denarau Stroll, and Culture by Firelight

Morning: Travel day. If you’re flying in from Australia or New Zealand, a mid-day arrival is common. Hydrate on the plane and plan for a breezy resort check-in—carry sandals, swimwear, and sunscreen in your hand luggage.

Afternoon: Settle in and wander Port Denarau Marina. Pick up a flat white or iced latte at Café O, then browse the boutiques for sulu (sarong) and reef-friendly sunscreen. For an early dinner snack, try kokoda (Fijian coconut-lime ceviche) at Nadina Fijian Restaurant; it’s bright, zesty, and quintessentially local.

Evening: Immerse yourself in a Fijian welcome with the Cultural Night Tour (typically FJD $130–$200). Expect traditional meke dance, fire lighting, village lore, and craft demonstrations—an engaging primer to Fiji’s culture.

Post-show, sip a tropical mocktail along the marina or try a nightcap at Rhum-Ba (impressive rum library) with a sea breeze and yacht views.

Day 2: Temples, Orchids, and Volcanic Mud (Nadi Highlights)

Morning: Fuel up at Bulaccino—order a cappuccino, fresh fruit with mint, and a breakfast roti. Then take the Best of Nadi Highlights tour (approx. FJD $150–$230). You’ll visit Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple’s vivid gopurams, Namaka produce market for pineapples and bananas, the historic Veiseisei village, and the Garden of the Sleeping Giant’s orchid-lined paths.

Afternoon: End with the Sabeto Mud Pool & Hot Springs—slather on the mineral-rich mud, let it dry, then rinse and soak in geothermal pools. It’s equal parts spa and laugh-out-loud photo op. Lunch nearby at Taste Fiji Kitchen back in Martintar: try grilled fish on cassava with a passionfruit cooler.

Evening: Dine at Kanu by Chef Lance Seeto (modern Fijian—think kokoda reimagined, wood-fired local seafood). If you’re craving spice, Indigo at Denarau offers tandoor platters and Goan-style fish curries. Stroll the marina after dinner for music and sea air.

Day 3: Mamanuca Magic—Intimate Island Day Cruise

Morning: After a light breakfast at The Coffee Hub (flat white and banana bread), head to Port Denarau for an intimate small-group cruise with Cruisin Fiji: Authentic Fijian Day Cruise (usually 25–27 guests; approx. FJD $300–$470). Expect snorkel stops over bright coral bommies, a beach barbecue, and plenty of time in gin-clear lagoons.

Afternoon: Laze on a sandbar, float in bathtub-warm water, or snorkel again—the Mamanucas are celebrated for beginner-friendly, fish-thick reefs. Keep an eye out for anemonefish and parrotfish; guides often share reef etiquette and local stories.

Evening: Back at Denarau, freshen up and toast sunset with a passionfruit spritz at Sails. Dinner at Rhum-Ba (grilled prawns, steaks, and a stellar marina view) or Nadina for a final hit of kokoda and ota (Fijian fern) salad.

Day 4: Easy Morning, Optional Island Club, and Departure

Morning: If your flight departs later in the afternoon or evening, consider a flexible half-day on a private island with the Malamala Beach Club - Half Day Pass (approx. FJD $170–$260; 25-minute transfer from Denarau). Claim a daybed, snorkel off the beach, and snack on kokoda tacos by the infinity edge.

If you prefer to stay close, stroll Wailoaloa Beach, sip a latte at Café O or Bulaccino, and browse the Nadi Handicraft Market for woven baskets and shell jewelry. Pack dried and neatly labeled snacks for the flight and confirm transfer timing with your hotel concierge.

Afternoon: Enjoy a final Fijian lunch—try Tatavu Grill & Bar for oceanfront bites—or grab takeaway roti parcels. Depart for Nadi International Airport (20–25 minutes from Denarau); arrive 2–3 hours before international flights. For future itineraries, you can also browse flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: Airborne. As the Mamanucas fade below, cue your Fiji playlist and start planning a return for a shark snorkel, river tubing, or a Cloud 9/Seventh Heaven floating-platform day.

Where to book your stay again: Compare resorts on Hotels.com – Nadi or browse private villas on VRBO – Nadi. For flight deals and timings into NAN, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

This concise Fiji itinerary weaves Nadi’s culture and cuisine with the Mamanuca Islands’ reefs and sandbars. In four days, you’ll savor village traditions, soak in volcanic hot springs, and glide across turquoise water—enough to fall for Fiji and plot your next, longer stay.