Most people arrive in Nadi and are immediately taken by bus to a hotel and never see the town or the valley behind it. Sadly, the things to do in Nadi list includes some of the easiest cultural and outdoor stops on Viti Levu: a very large Hindu temple, a working produce market, a hot-spring fed mud pool and an orchid garden. All are within about a 30 minutes’ reach of the next.
This guide gives an idea of the character of each stop, the approximate cost and how to make them fit into a half day or full day. The price of entry and hours of operation vary, please use the following as a guide and please check opening times before attending.
How Nadi is laid out
Located on the western side of Viti Levu, opposite the international airport is Nadi. The town itself is very small. It is passed by Queens Road, the market is located in the centre and the temple is at the southern end. The mud pools and the orchid garden are located in the Sabeto valley to the north-east of town, while the island-cruise marina, and numerous big resorts, is situated to the west of town.
The stops are not too close together, so transport is the determining factor as to how much can be accommodated. The easiest way to explore Nadi on your own is by taxi–make sure you negotiate the cost or make sure the meter is working before you ride off. Local buses are economical but cumbersome for a multi-stop day and our public transport in Fiji tells you where they run and don’t run. If you have not yet decided how you will get to the airport, the airport transfer guide outlines the options. The other method is a small group tour, typically inclusive of hotel pick up and entry fees.
The main stops
Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple
The temple is located at the southern end of Nadi town and is typically called the biggest Hindu Temple in the southern hemisphere. It is a Dravidian structure with towers adorned with figures carved and painted on the towers and in Hindu style. The existing temple dates from the early 1990s, as the original temple on the Nadi River continued to flood.
Visitors need to cover their shoulders and knees and take their shoes off at the entrance. Sarongs are typically offered for rent, if you arrive in shorts. Interior of building not to be photographed, but exterior is OK. The tourism website, Tourism Fiji has the following guided tours, which go on offer every half hour between 8:30 am and 3:00 pm, with the entry or tour fee estimated at approximately FJ$5. Allow 30 to 45 minutes. Next door, there’s the Saravana Bhavan vegetarian restaurant for a masala tea or a South Indian lunch.
Nadi Market
The central market is the place where Nadi buys fruits and vegetables, spices, and fish is free to wander. Also find it a good spot to view bundles of its own ‘yaqona’ (kava root) if you will be going to a ceremony later. Read our guide to kava ceremony guide to know what to expect and how to behave. Such markets tend to be liveliest and most fresh in the morning, so try to book it before lunch. Use small FJD notes: change is rarely available from stallholders for FJD notes larger than 50.
The Sleeping Giant’s Garden
Raymond Burr, an American actor who starred in the TV series Perry Mason, started the garden in 1977 and it occupies approximately 50 acres at the base of the Sabeto mountain range. Over 2000 species of orchids, palms, lily ponds and forest paths are reported by local press. It takes approximately an hour and a half to walk the entire garden, but if time is limited, a shorter loop is fine. There are some areas that are reported to be wheelchair accessible.
The days and hours open have varied over the years (Thursday through Sunday in 2021, for instance) so please check before making your day around it. By road, it’s around 30 minutes from Nadi town.
Bodlaibba is the site of Sabeto Mud Pool and Hot Springs.
Sabeto Springs are approximately 9 kilometres from the airport and approximately a 20-minute drive from Nadi. It’s the same process for all of them: dip in the mud pool, slip on some grey volcanic mud, dry in the sun and rinse off in increasingly cleaner pools. The hottest pool is said to be around 60°C, and the clear pool is cooler, offering the perfect spot for a long soak.
Usually, it costs FJ$15 – FJ$20 per person. Use swimwear that is easy to stain and avoid wearing jewellery as minerals may harm it. The shower room is cold and simple. Both Tifajek and its second site, just next door, provide a similar experience and are signposted so don’t expect only one entrance. Describe guides at the pools in visitors’ reports, but for travelling with young children, read which pools are safe for young children before entering.
Viseisei village and an Anchorage lookout.
The traditional view is that the first Fijian settlers came down to land at Viseisei, north of Nadi towards Lautoka. Typically you will be accompanied by a tour and you should dress modestly and be guided by your tour guide regarding customs. Before you visit, read our guide to Fijian cultural experiences.
Some half day tours include Anchorage Lookout which overlooks the Mamanuca Islands. A brief trip, but worthwhile on a sunny day.
Port Denarau and zipline
The port at Denarau is primarily a marina, shopping and dining district, and is the place to leave for an island cruise. Ideal for an evening stop to enjoy a meal. If you’d rather do something active, see our Nadi Zipline Tour listing for details and booking.
Half-day itineraries
Garden and mud pool (4-5 hours)
The best half-day is for those who enjoy being outside and don’t mind getting dirty.
- 8:30 am – collect or taxi to Sabeto Valley
- 9:00 am: Garden of the Sleeping Giant (approx. 1-1.5 hrs)
- 10:45 am: Sabeto Mud Pool and Hot Springs (approx. 1.5 hrs including rinsing off)
- Return to get lunch in town or at the resort at 12:30 pm
- If the garden is closed on the day you’re planning to visit then substitute Viseisei Village or the lookout.
From this location, you can take an optional 3-hour bus trip to the town and the temple.
This one is for a quick stop or for a slower day
Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple – 8:30 am – This temple opens before the first bus tours to the temple.
- 10:30 am: Lunch at Saravana Bhavan (early lunch)
- 10:30 am: Nadi Market
- 11:30 am – Done, and then you can go to Main Street to buy souvenirs.
A full-day itinerary (8:00 am to 5:00 pm)
This walk is based on geography and no repetition. It assumes that you are accompanied by a driver (or a taxi) for the day.
| Time | Stop | Notes |
| 8:30 am | Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple | Shoes must be taken off and clothes must be modest. |
| 9:30 am | Nadi Market | Walk through and purchase fruits or yaqona |
| 10:45 am | Meet at Sabeto Valley | Drive there about 30 minutes. |
| 11:15 am | Garden of the Sleeping Giant | The garden is open except on certain days, so check the opening days first. |
| 2:15 pm | Sabeto Mud Pool and Hot Springs | Take a towel and a change of clothing |
| 2:15 pm | Late lunch | Eat before the heat of the day. |
| 3:15 pm | Viseisei Village or Anchorage Lookout | Village visits need a guide or arrangement |
| 5:00 pm | Return to Nadi or Port Denarau | Dinner in the marina if there is still enough energy in the tank! |
If you’d rather spend the day at the beach, replace the afternoon with Natadola Beach, about an hour south of Nadi. One way to do that is our Natadola picnic tour.
Approximate costs
The above figures are from published sources and visitor reports and are not guaranteed to be up-to-date. Make sure to verify prior to departure.
| Stop | Approximate cost (FJD) |
| Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple | About FJ$5 per person |
| Nadi Market | Open for all to enter. |
| The Sleeping Giant Park | FJ$9 adults, FJ$7 children (under 6, last published rate) |
| Sabeto Mud Pool and Hot Springs | Approx. FJ$15-20 per person |
Half-day tours are listed at about US$90 to US$140 per person that include admission to the garden, mud pool, and a village visit, depending on the operator and pick-up location. For a broader view of spending, see our daily budget guide.
Tour or independent?
A tour takes care of the logistics. The wait at Viseisei is most important: pick up, entry fees, and a guide knowledgeable of the rules of the village are all arranged. The exchange is on a fixed schedule and has limited stops.
If you’re travelling in a taxi, it will be cheaper to go alone and you can spend more time where you want. More planning is required and you will have to find out yourselves the days it opens, particularly the garden. If you have to go on the dates and want the trip customized to your interests, contact us and we will do so.
Practical tips
- Start early. The mornings are cooler and the temple tour is only offered until mid-morning.
- Bring cash in FJD, in small notes, for entry fees, market stalls and tips to guides.
- Bring a sarong or a lightweight layer that will cover shoulders and knees to the temple and the village.
- Bring a towel, Change of clothes and a bag for wet or muddy items if visiting Sabeto.
- Wear sunscreen and a hat. Very little shade in the garden and little shade in the lookout.
- If you travel during the wetter months (roughly between November and April), bring a light rain jacket along.
FAQs
How many days would you need to visit Nadi?
You can see the main sights in one full day. For a slower pace, two half days will suffice and most of the famous beaches and islands of Fiji can be found elsewhere and Nadi is used more as a base or as a stopping point at the beginning or end of a long journey.
If you have only half a day in Nadi what are the best things you should do?
Select from the two half-day courses listed above. If you have time, you’ll be the most varied with the garden and mud pool combination; if you’re on a layover and want to experience the temple route, that also works.
What is the distance between Nadi town and the mud pools, and the garden?
The Sabeto springs are approximately 20 minutes by road from Nadi and the Garden of the Sleeping Giant is about half an hour away from town. They are near to one another, hence they are suitable for pairing.
What is the dress code for a Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple?
Cover shoulders and knees and be prepared to take your shoes off at the entrance. Most sarongs are available for hire. Photography can be done outside, but not inside.
Will Nadi be available on a layover?
Yes, if you want to, and have the time. Immigration plus transport and a buffer of 6-7 hours between flights. The town/temple option is the most secure one as it remains near the airport and isn’t relying on a set time to start the tour.
Do the mud pools have appropriate dimensions for children?
Most of the visitors of all ages go and there are guides available. Be aware that pool temperatures can differ; the hottest pool is said to be at around 60C, so supervise children closely and check with your guide as to which pools will be suitable.
But is Nadi worth visiting, or just an airport town?
It’s both. The primary arrival spot is Nadi, but the day provides a glimpse of Fiji’s Indo-Fijian culture, a working market and some geothermal and garden stops that are not at a resort. If you have the time, it’s worth a day.
Wrapping up
The things to do in Nadi are not extravagant but can be completed in one day and are things you won’t see in resorts that are well worth visiting Fiji and getting up close with. Head to the temple and the market in the morning, then the mud pool in the middle of the day and the marina in the evening for dinner. To help you create a travel itinerary around your dates, reach out.
If Nadi is only your starting point, explore more things to do in Fiji beyond the airport town.
