Have a long layover in Nadi, Fiji? This is how I spent my 12 hour long layover in Fiji. I also provide some useful tips on how to make the most out of your Fiji layover adventure.
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Intro
If you find yourself with a long layover in Nadi, Fiji (NAN airport), you’re in for a treat! With its tropical charm, warm weather, and friendly locals, Nadi offers a perfect opportunity to explore a slice of paradise. Here’s how to make the most of your layover in Nadi, even if you only have a few hours to spare. I’ll go over my experience of what I was able to see and do with a long layover in the vibrant town of Nadi.
Long Layover in Nadi, Fiji
I had landed at Nadi Airport in Fiji at 5:45 AM with my connecting flight to Sydney, Australia not until 6 PM. At Nadi Airport, if you have a layover longer than 4 hours, you are required to pick up your luggage and leave the terminal/airport. Since my flight was not until 6 PM, I had a 12 hour total long layover, but really actually about 8 hours to enjoy what I can in Fiji!
Get Fiji Currency
Fiji does still use currency, the Fijian Dollar, so I recommend getting some cash to purchase food and/or souvenirs while you’re out and about
To get Fijian currency, the first instance was right in the baggage claim. There is a currency exchange here and an ATM right next to the currency exchange. Not only that, but once you leave the baggage claim area, there are also 2 more ATMs right in the next hall.
We opted to use the ATM inside baggage claim since the line wasn’t toooo bad, but when we did get into the next hall, there was pretty much no line at the 2 ATMs. So it’s probably best to just wait until after you leave baggage claim if the interior ATM line is way too long.
Freshen Up
After we got our cash and exited the baggage claim area, we wanted to freshen up a bit so we found a table at the nearby cafe. We bought some much needed coffee and took turns using the restrooms directly across from the cafe. Fiji is a bit warm and humid so it was important for me to change out of my comfortable travel pants and sweater and into a breathable shirt, shorts, and sandals.
I did pack these items with me on my carry-on backpack, but since we did pick up our luggage, we could have just gotten these items out. Regardless though, I always recommend keeping an extra change of clothes or travel toiletries with you on your carryon in case there are any unexpected issues with your luggage.
I do want to note that the restroom across from the cafe did not have paper towels, just electric air hand dryers. However I did notice the restroom inside the baggage claim did use paper towels. If you need to use paper towels to maybe dry your face after washing, then I’d recommend freshening up in the baggage claim restrooms. Otherwise, using a napkin or a small towel you brought would suffice if you use the restroom across the cafe.
Store Luggage
After freshening up, drinking our coffee, and getting what we needed from our carryon and luggage, then we needed to store all our bags. The luggage storage is very easy to find. It is across from the 2 ATMs and down a long hallway to the right against the large windowed walls.
The luggage storage prices do differ based on how many bags you’re storing. The prices below reflect what the prices were as of November 2024. We paid the attendant in Fijian dollars although I’m not sure if they take card.
Luggage storage prices (as of Nov 2024):
| Item | Charge |
|---|---|
| Oversized Luggage (Big Luggage) (Bicycles, surfboards, etc.) | F$15.00 per item per day or part thereof |
| Suitcases/Backpacks | F$10.05 per item per day or part thereof |
| Day Bags & Other Small Handheld Luggage, Carryon Bags | F$7.50 per item per day or part thereof |
Finding A Fijian Adventure
Don’t Pre-book a Tour and Find one at the Airport
By the time we were ready to find our Fiji adventure, it was already 7 AM, right on time for when tours will be starting. We did not pre-book a tour because we were not sure when we would be ready to leave the airport, and we did not want to pre-pay and accidentally miss the start time. Because of this, we held off on pre-booking a tour and relied on finding a tour when we were ready to. It did look like there were a few rental companies so I’m sure anyone would find a tour easily!
Booking a Tour at the Airport
A bit further down from the cafe, there are a row of storefronts that seem to be tour companies. We ended up talking to a representative that was at the last storefront called Tour Managers. The representative gave us various options depending on how long our layover was. But since we had to be back at 4 PM at the latest for our connecting flight, only 1 tour really fit within that timeframe.
The tour the representative suggested had a private tour version and a non-private tour version with different price points. We decided to go with a non-private tour with other people since it included all ticket entries and we didn’t have a strong desire to do a private version of the tour either. So the convenience of a driver and included entry was sufficient for us!
The tour we want on is pretty similar to the one here, or in the widget below:
Fiji Highlights
The Half-Day Nadi Tour
In just a long layover in Fiji, you can visit and experience the below amazing Fiji highlights! You can really get a taste of Fiji on a half-day tour where you will want to come back and enjoy a full holiday in this tropical paradise.
For a more detailed overview of the Half-day Nadi Fiji Highlights Tour we went on during our layover, check out Half-Day Tour in Nadi, Fiji: Top Highlights You Shouldn’t Miss.
Taste of Fiji Hindu Culture
The tour we went on included visiting some of Nadi’s highlights, and I’m glad we opted for this! We visited the Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple, a beautifully colorful hindu temple. The temple does require you to take off your shoes, so I recommend wearing socks or bringing a pair of socks since the uncovered parts of the ground can get hot. Men and women are also required to wear a long skirt, which are also provided to rent before entering as well.
Taste of Fiji (Produce & Tea)
The next couple stops are opportunities to purchase souvenirs and/or produce and fruit. The Nadi Produce Markets has ton of food vendors and I recommend buying some fruit to snack on! We got mango and it tasted so fresh and delicious. Do bring cash for the markets though since card is not accepted.
We also stopped at Tappoo Department Store which is the perfect opportunity to buy souvenirs. If you’re lucky, you might participate in a traditional kava tea ceremony too!
Taste of Fiji Nature
Our last two stops of the tour were both beautiful and relaxing. At the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, we took a nice stroll through the gardens with a local guide who explained the flora we were seeing.
Then we ended at the Tifajek Mud Pool & Hotspring where you’re able to go mudding and dip into the natural hotspring! We were not prepared for this stop and did not have a swimsuit, so we did not get to fully experience the mud pool and hotspring. But we were still able to put mud on our legs, rinse the mud off in the mud pool, and dip our feet into the hotspring.
Airport Dropoff
When it was time, we were all then dropped off at our respective locations, with our stop being back at the Nadi Airport around 1:30 PM. Just enough time to collect our luggage from storage, eat lunch, and relax at a lounge before our flight.
Ending our Day in Fiji
We picked up our luggage and walked towards the International Departures hall, and stopped at a restaurant to eat a full and delicious Fijian lunch. I had to try the Fijian Kokoda (type of ceviche) with coconut cream and marinated fish, and it was delicious!
Afterwards, we went into the terminal and went to a Priority Pass lounge, Fiji Airways Premier Lounge, which was one of the nicer lounges we’ve been to.
Get access to thousands of airport lounges and join Priority Pass by clicking here or scanning the QR code to the right:
What an amazing time spent in Fiji and I can’t wait to go back to experience more of what this island paradise has to offer!
Tips to Make the Most of Your Adventure
1. Pack a Change of Clothes for Warm Weather on Your Carryon
Fiji is a very warm and humid island, so it’s best to feel comfortable and wear clothing fitting for this climate. In case of issues with your luggage and for a quick way to change, then pack your Fiji outfits on your carryon.
2. Pack a Few Necessary Toiletries on your Carryon
To freshen up for your day out in Fiji, pack a few necessary toiletries with you on your carryon. Things like a toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash and moisturizer, and sunscreen.
3. Get Fijian Currency
If you’re looking to purchase some product at the market, or some small souvenirs, then exchange or withdraw some Fijian cash!
4. If you think you’re going on a similar tour as I did, then:
4A. Bring a Pair of Socks for the Temple
You are required to take your shoes off to enter the temple grounds, and the ground can be super hot to walk on! So to not burn your feet and have some level of comfort walking barefoot, bring or wear a pair of socks for the temple.
4B. Put on Swimwear Under Your Clothes for the Mud Bath
If you want to put mud on more parts of your body to fully experience a mudding, then wear your bathing suit under your clothes! There are changing room at the hotspring too if you prefer to change into it as well.
Final Words
A long layover in Nadi is a chance to experience the beauty and warmth of Fiji, even if only for a short while. From soaking in mud baths to sampling local flavors and culture, a few hours here can leave you feeling refreshed and inspired. As you head back to the airport, you might just find yourself already dreaming about a return trip to explore more of what this island paradise has to offer. Bon Voyage!
Have you had a long layover in Nadi, Fiji?
What was your experience like – Let me know in the comments below!
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