10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Nadi

Last Updated: 18 September, 2024

Nadi’s Top Budget Activities

If you’re looking to experience Fiji on a budget, Nadi is an excellent choice. As the tourism hub of Fiji, it’s conveniently located just moments away from the international airport, helping you cut down on those hefty travel expenses associated with visiting Fiji’s outer islands. Nadi is brimming with affordable accommodation options and budget-friendly eateries, and you’re about to discover plenty of free and cheap things to do! While some activities in Nadi do come with a small cost, we’ve made sure to only include options that are under FJ$30 per person.

For even more money-saving tips, don’t miss our Guide to Nadi on a Budget.

1. Visit the Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple – CHEAP

Located in Nadi Central, the Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple is a gloriously colourful building that is definitely worth adding to your sightseeing itinerary. Admission is around FJ$5, during which you will be given a sarong (sulu) to cover your legs and asked to remove your shoes before exploring the carvings and paintings of Hindu deities around the temple. You can get some great photos from outside of the temple, but taking photos inside is prohibited.

Location: Corner of Queens Road and Main Street, Nadi Town.

2. Walk Around the Garden of the Sleeping Giant – CHEAP

Visit Fiji’s largest collection of orchids, walk among the lush tropical forests, and sip on a complimentary fruit juice in the Garden of the Sleeping Giant. Entry is around FJ$20 per person to explore this little piece of paradise, making this activity easily earn its spot on this list of cheap things to do in Nadi.

Location: Wailoko Road, Sabeto, approximately 6.5 km (4 mi) north of Nadi Airport.

3. Relax at Wailoaloa or Natadola Beach – FREE

If your budget doesn’t allow for a day trip to the idyllic beaches of the Mamanuca Islands, then you can still get some beach time in Nadi. Nadi’s main beach, Wailoaloa Beach, is a good option for your usual beach activities, such as sunbathing, walking and popping in at the resorts for food or cocktails. A better-looking beach, where it’s also safe to swim, lies on the Coral Coast at Natadola Beach. The beach is about an hour’s drive south of Nadi but makes for a good day trip. The beach also has a couple of resorts to check out.

Location: Wailoaloa Beach – Wailoaloa Road, Nadi. Natadola Beach – Natadola Bay, approximately 50 km (31 mi) south of Nadi.

4. Get Muddy at the Sabeto Mud Pools – CHEAP

With entry at around FJ$30 per adult, the Sabeto Mud Pools are a great way to experience some “Fiji time” pampering on a budget. The concept of the hot pools is to lather yourself in wet mud, let it dry on your skin, and then wash it off in several different hot pools in order to work wonders for your skin. The locally-run attraction often has cheap and real Fijian meals to try too, which we fully recommend!

Location: Wailoko Road, Sabeto, approximately 9 km (5 mi) north of Nadi Airport.

free-and-cheap-things-to-do-in-nadi-fiji

5. Check Out the Lomolomo Guns – FREE

A free attraction and incredible viewpoint lie at the Lomolomo Guns at the foot of the Sabeto Mountains. Don’t forget your camera for the views over Nadi Bay and all the way to the Yasawa Islands from this WWII battery.

Location: Lomolomo Village. From the Queens Road, travelling north, turn right after the Lomolomo Village Store, then the first left up the rough gravel road. Where the main gravel road ends and forks into two dirt roads. Follow the dirt road on the left uphill (on foot) for about 5 minutes to reach the guns. This attraction is approximately 15 km (9 mi) north of Nadi.

6. … Or Visit the Momi Battery Historical Park – CHEAP

That’s right, there’s another gun encampment in Nadi, and while this one isn’t free, it’s much easier to find. The Momi Battery Historical Park is a fascinating World War II site that offers a glimpse into Fiji’s wartime history. For around FJ$10 per adult and FJ$5 per child (ages 6-17), you can explore this coastal defence battery constructed between 1939 and 1942 by US and New Zealand forces. (Children under six enter for free, and there’s a family pass available for FJ$25). Choose between a guided tour (included in the entry fee) or a self-guided exploration of the site. Most visitors spend about 20-25 minutes here, learning about the battery’s role in protecting the Navua Passage and its intriguing history – including the fact that the guns were only fired three times! The site is open from 8 am to 4:30 pm daily, with facilities including on-site bathrooms and soft drinks for sale. For a truly memorable experience, you can even book a sunset viewing. Don’t miss this opportunity to combine history, stunning views, and a touch of wartime drama on your Fiji adventure!

Location: Momi Bay, Nadi. Located between Momi and Nabila, approximately 30 km (19 mi) south of Nadi.

7. Go Shopping at Nadi’s Markets and Malls – FREE/CHEAP

This activity only remains a cheap thing to do in Nadi if you don’t buy too much! But it’s always fun to browse the shops and markets of Nadi while buying plenty of wares for under FJ$30. Fijian crafts, Indo-Fijian fashion and more can be found in Nadi Town. Souvenir shopping is made pretty easy here, with the option of large souvenir outlets like Jack’s of Fiji and Tappoo selling local and high quality yet mass-produced souvenirs, while there’s also the alternative shopping experience of the Nadi Market and Nadi Handicraft Market.

Location: Main Street and Market Road, Nadi Town.

8. Sample the Local Foods – CHEAP

You don’t have to break the bank to eat like a king in Nadi! Nadi is full of super cheap eateries with plenty of international foods represented, from authentic Fiji to Indian to Chinese and more! Take a look at our recommendations in the Top Cheap Eats in Nadi. We also recommend popping into a produce market like the Nadi Market or the Namaka Market to chat with the friendly locals and try some interesting Fijian fruit!

Location: See the link above for recommendations and their locations.

9. Spend a Day by the Pool – FREE/CHEAP

Even the budget accommodations in Nadi have a pool, so you can definitely be forgiven for spending a whole day lounging and swimming. If your chosen accommodation doesn’t have a pool, then upscale hotels and resorts in Nadi often offer day passes to enjoy their facilities for FJ$50 (or much lower). It’s a great way to save some money for one day of your holiday and enjoy some serious R&R. That’s what Fiji is all about!

Location: All over Nadi! See the links in the description for ideas.

10. Take a Day Trip to Denarau Island – FREE/CHEAP

What feels like a world away from Nadi is actually just a quick cab or bus ride to the five-star resort island and marina. Denarau Island has a handful of fabulous resorts to browse and sit down for a drink, and it has its own little township at Port Denarau packed with eateries and shops. Check out the 11 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Denarau for activities to do on your day trip there, as well as The Best Day Trips from Nadi for more ideas.

Location: Denarau Island, approximately 9 km (5.6 mi) from Nadi.

More Free and Cheap Things to Do in Nadi

That’s it for the free and cheap things to do in Nadi. For tips to plan a cheap and cheerful trip, take a look at the following:

Finally, don’t forget to bookmark The Complete Travel Guide to Fiji on a Budget. Trust us; there are a lot of useful tips!

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across Fiji and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Tourism Fiji (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
Fiji Immigration (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2025])
Fiji Revenue & Customs Service (Customs and visitor taxes - Updated [2025])
Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
Fiji Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
Fiji Bureau of Statistics (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (Tourism statistics - Updated [2025])
Land Transport Authority (Road safety advice - Updated [2025])
Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
Travel.State.Gov (U.S. travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])

Our editorial standards: At Fiji Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Robin (Ruveni) C.

This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of Fiji Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before settling in the South Pacific, so he knows a thing or two about planning the perfect trip in this corner of the world. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides and is a regular host of webinars with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

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