Affordable and Free Activities in Denarau Island
After paying for accommodation, flights and some awesome activities in Denarau, you’ll want to have a couple of “cheap” days while staying on Fiji’s premium holiday island.
Luckily, there’s plenty to do on the island for those days when you want to stick to a budget. Lazy days by the pool, wandering around the town of Port Denarau, and playing mini-golf are all ways to keep costs low.
Check out the whole list of free and cheap things to do in Denarau and start planning!
For more ways to save money in Denarau, check out our Guide to Denarau on a Budget. And don’t forget, just a short drive from Denarau Island are the 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Nadi!
Table of Contents
1. Do Some Resort-Hopping – FREE/CHEAP
While Denarau Island might not exactly be the white-sand island paradise that you get elsewhere in Fiji, the 5-star luxury resorts make Denarau Island a whole different island experience!
Jump on the hop-on-hop-off Bula Bus (tickets are around FJ$11 per adult per day) or walk from resort to resort, checking out these dreamy holiday venues.
With large lagoon-style pools, fine dining restaurants, spectacular water features and palm-fringed walkways, the Denarau Island resorts are certainly an attraction in themselves. All the resorts are open for people to walk around, so why not?!
Location: Resort Drive, Denarau Island (a waterfront walkway links all of Denarau’s resorts).
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2. Lounge by the Pool – FREE
If you’re staying in Denarau, then there’s one thing you know you can do day-in-day-out for absolutely free: lounging by the pool! Every resort or apartment complex has its own pool with sun loungers and many other perks, whether it’s poolside waiters bringing you cocktails or quiet adults-only hideaways.
If you get bored of one pool, just check out the pool in the next resort. In fact, resorts like the Sheraton and The Westin encourage guests to use the facilities in their neighbouring resorts!
Location: Resort Drive, Denarau Island.
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3. Visit Port Denarau – FREE
Whether you’re staying in one of the Denarau resorts or just visiting the island for the day, your go-to spot should be Port Denarau. This shopping and dining precinct offers great views across the harbour, making it a great place to relax with a Fiji beer or fruity cocktail.
Check out some of the shops here in the Information, Shops & Services in Denarau.
Location: Port Denarau Shopping Centre, Denarau Island.
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4. Do Some Souvenir Shopping – FREE/CHEAP
On the subject of Port Denarau, check out the shops the small town has to offer. There’s a great selection of souvenir shops, where you don’t have to spend too much to get yourself a new Fijian sarong or carved trinket.
Check out 10 Best Fijian Souvenirs for inspiration, as well as Where to Buy the Best Souvenirs in Fiji for our favourite stores.
Location: Port Denarau Shopping Centre, Denarau Island.
© FijiPocketGuide.com
5. Watch a Cultural Performance – CHEAP
You know you’re in Fiji when you see the captivating performances of the “meke”! Watch a mix of dancing, singing, Fijian warriors and fire-walking and get a great insight into the Fijian traditions.
Attending your resort’s evening performances is something not to be missed. For those not staying at a Denarau Resort, Mamacita Mexican Restaurant‘s Fijian Night with a lovo buffet and Polynesian Night provide the best value.
For more ways to experience the culture in Fiji, take a look at How to Have a Real Fiji Cultural Experience. Plus, head to The Ultimate Guide to Denarau Nightlife to find more cultural nights.
Location: Mamacita – Wyndham Resort, Resort Drive, Denarau Island.
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6. Take the Kids to the Kids’ Club! – FREE/CHEAP
Most of the Denarau resorts have fantastic (and free) kids clubs that keep the young ones entertained all day long! There are usually two age ranges to choose from so your kids can mingle with others their own age.
As for the activities, there’s a wide range to keep them busy, from crab racing to treasure hunts to learning Fijian dances and war chants!
Check out the 5 Best Kids’ Clubs on Denarau Island for more details.
Location: See the link above for recommendations and their locations.
© FijiPocketGuide.com
7. Join in on the Activities of the Adults Programme – FREE/CHEAP
It’s not just the kids that get to hang out, the adults have the opportunity to meet some like-minded holiday-goers too with the resorts’ adults programs.
Join in on some sports like volleyball, croquet or aerobics or watch cultural ceremonies. Ask at reception for the full itinerary!
Location: At any one of the resorts listed in the 10 Best Resorts on Denarau Island!
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8. Grab a Bite to Eat – CHEAP
Culinary experiences are still an activity, right? Grabbing a coffee from Lazy Beans Cafe or our personal favourite, coconut buns from Hot Bread Kitchen, is another great way to spend your time in Denarau. Swap the pricey resort meals for something more affordable at one of the dozens of eateries at Port Denarau.
Check out our list of Cheap Eats in Denarau for the best deals.
Location: See the link above for recommendations and their locations.
© FijiPocketGuide.com
9. Play Mini Golf – CHEAP
While the 18-hole Denarau golf course might not quite fit the criteria for one of the “cheap things to do in Denarau”, the mini golf certainly does!
Grab your friends or family and challenge them to a round on the Fiji-themed Denarau Golf Centre & Mini Golf.
Location: Resort Drive, Denarau Island. Find it across the road from the Sofitel resort next to the Denarau Golf Club.
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10. Watch the Sunset from Denarau Beach – FREE
The waterfront of the Hilton Fiji Resort & Spa is the best stretch of Denarau Beach, while the best views of the sunset can be found at the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort.
Although the beach is not the most ideal for swimming, it does make a pleasant place for an evening stroll and watching the vivid colours of a Fiji sunset. Oh, and for more places to take a stroll, check out the 5 Best Walks & Hikes from Denarau.
Location: Resort Drive, Denarau Island (a waterfront walkway links all of Denarau’s resorts).
© FijiPocketGuide.com
11. Get Some Braids – CHEAP
Your kids haven’t been to Fiji until they have gotten some braids! It’s on many little girls’ wish lists, so treat them to some affordable hair braiding. Braids usually cost FJ$1-2 per braid.
Shop around the resorts and at the Denarau Marina for the best price, or check out the 10 Best Things to Do in Denarau with Kids for recommendations.
Location: Found at most spas on Denarau.
© Pxhere
More Free and Cheap Things to Do in Denarau and Fiji
That’s it for the free and cheap things to do in Denarau. For more advice to keep the costs to a minimum, check out the following guides:
- 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Nadi
- 10 Best Budget Accommodations on Denarau Island
- 17 Ways to Save Money When Travelling in Fiji
Finally, don’t forget to bookmark The Complete Budget & Backpacking Guide to Fiji. 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])
- Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
- Travel.State.Gov (U.S. travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
- Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
Our editorial standards: At Fiji Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
