Nadi & Coral Coast

Gateway to Fiji, with Denarau Island resorts, mud-pool hot springs and a Hindu temple, and to the south the Coral Coast's sand dunes, white beaches and villages.

Nadi lies on the west coast of Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island, and is home to Fiji's international airport, making it the first stop for almost every visitor. The area falls into three parts: Nadi town and Denarau Island (the resort cluster and the ferry dock for the outer islands); the Sabeto Valley and Lautoka to the north (Garden of the Sleeping Giant, mud pool hot springs, Koroyanitu highland hiking, Navala thatched-roof village); and the Coral Coast stretching south along the Queens Road (Natadola Beach, Sigatoka Sand Dunes, Tavuni Hill Fort, Biausevu Waterfall, and, at the eastern end, Pacific Harbour, where you can dive with bull sharks). The climate is hot all year; May–October is the cooler dry season and the best time to go, while November–April is hot, humid and rainy, and is also cyclone season. Getting there: from China, most routes connect via Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney or Auckland to Nadi (NAN); on the island, get around by taxi, hired car or self-drive. The Queens Road is in good condition, and long-distance buses such as Sunbeam will stop along the way. Suggestions: 2 days around Nadi and 2–3 nights on the Coral Coast; if you want to visit the outer islands, arrange the Mamanucas or Yasawas separately. Notes: the currency is the Fijian dollar (FJD); when visiting a village, bring kava root as a gift, cover your shoulders and knees, and remove your hat on entering; most shops and village activities pause on Sundays; beaches on the main island are less clear than those on the outer islands because of river outflow, so check the tides for snorkeling.

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