Activities In Nadi
The Nadi area offers a host of sporting and outdoor activities to suit almost every interest. Most of these are near Nadi, but some require a boat trip to the Mamanuca Islands or a bus ride to other locations on Viti Levu. The Sheraton resorts on Denarau Island both have watersports equipment and activities.
Fishing: The best fishing boat here is American Tyson Johnson's Sundancer ([tel] 672 0786 or 992 0044; sundancer@is.com.fj), based at Port Denarau. This custom-designed 13m (43-ft.) boat sleeps up to six persons and does both 1-day trips to the Mamanucas and extended cruises to the northern Yasawas, site of Fiji's best fishing. Fees are F$900 ($405) for half a day, F$1,500 ($675) for a full day. Inquire about prices for the extended cruises.
The two Sheraton hotels and all the resorts in the Mamanucas offer sportfishing as a pay-extra activity for their guests. On the mainland, South Sea Cruises ([tel] 675 0500) has a fleet of fishing boats and guides based at Port Denarau. Offshore, that same company operates under the name Pleasure Marine ([tel] 675 0500), with boats at Musket Cove Resort and Mana Island Resort.
Golf & Tennis: The 18-hole, 7,150-yard, par-72 resort course of Denarau Golf & Racquet Club ([tel] 675 0477) occupies most of Denarau Island, with the club house opposite the Sheraton resorts. It has a restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner at moderate prices, a bar, and locker rooms with showers. Greens fees are F$90 ($40.50) for guests of the two big resorts and F$95 ($43) for those of us who can't afford to stay there. The course is open daily from 7am to dark.
The club's six Wimbledon-standard grass tennis courts are open daily from 7am to dark, and its four all-weather courts stay open until 10pm. Fees are F$20 ($9) per person per hour on grass, F$15 ($7) per hour on the hard courts. Lessons are available, and proper tennis attire is required.
The Fiji Mocambo hotel ([tel] 672 2000) has a 9-hole executive course, and the hotel tour desks can arrange for you to play at the 18-hole Nadi Airport Golf Club ([tel] 672 2148) near Newtown Beach, behind the airport. The latter is a 5,882-yard, par-70 course which isn't particularly challenging, but the setting, on the shores of Nadi Bay, is attractive.
Hiking: In addition to the guided walks in the Koroyanitu National Heritage Park and Adventures in Paradise's waterfall hikes on the Coral Coast, Adventures Fiji ([tel] 672 2935; fax 672 4970; rosiefiji@is.com.fj), an arm of Rosie the Travel Service, offers trekkers (as hikers are known in these parts) the chance to make a 1-day walk some 600m (2,000 ft.) up into the Nausori Highlands above Nadi. We found this walk to be strenuous but fascinating; you have to be under 45 to sign up unless you're in good physical condition. Wear walking shoes with excellent traction and that you don't mind getting wet, for the sandy trail goes into and out of steep valleys and crosses streams. Also wear sunscreen, for most of this walk is through grasslands with no shade. We had a long midday break in a Fijian village, where we shared a local-style lunch sitting cross-legged in a simple Fijian home, then took a 45-minute side excursion up a narrow valley to a waterfall. The cost is F$69 ($31) per person. The company also has 4-, 6- and 10-day hikes across central Viti Levu, ranging in price from about F$500 to F$1,200 ($225-$540), including transfers, guide, accommodation, and meals provided by Fijian villagers along the way.
Horseback Riding: A 20-minute drive and short boat ride south of Nadi Town, Sonaisali Island Resort ([tel] 670 6011) has guided horseback rides through the tropical vegetation on its 105-acre private island. A 1-hour ride costs F$26 ($11.50) for adults, F$13 ($5.75) for children under 12. Riders must be at least 8 years and not weigh over 138 kilograms (275 lb.). Reservations are required.
Jet Boats: For a thrill-a-minute carnival ride afloat, Shotover Jet Fiji ([tel] 675 0400) will take you twisting and turning through the mangrove-lined creeks behind Denarau Island. This is the company that pioneered jet-boating on the Shotover River in New Zealand, and its speedy "Big Red" boats go roaring around these Fijian waterways. Heart-stopping 360 turns are guaranteed to get the adrenaline flowing and the clothes wet. The half-hour rides depart every 30 minutes daily from Port Denarau. A shuttle connects the nearby Sheratons; there are scheduled pickups from other Nadi area hotels, so call for reservations. Price is F$69 ($31) for adults and F$25 ($11) for children.
River Rafting: Travel videos and brochures seem to always feature tourists lazily floating down a Fijian river on a raft made of bamboo poles lashed together. In the old days, mountain-dwelling Fijians really did use bilibilis -- long, flimsy bamboo rafts -- to float their crops down river to market. They would discard the rafts and walk home. Today you can ride your own bilibili down the Navua River, between Pacific Harbour and Suva. Several companies have cultural tours up the river to picturesque Namuamua village, but Discover Fiji Tours ([tel] 345 0180; discoverfiji@is.com.fj) not only takes you upriver by motorized canoe, it usually brings you back on a bilibili (make sure the bilibili is included before you sign up). The river itself is a scenic delight as it cuts a gorge through the foothills. Depending on how much it has rained recently, you'll have a few gentle rapids to negotiate, and you'll stop for dips in waterfalls that tumble right into the river. Wear swimsuits and sandals, but bring a sarong to wear in the village, where you'll be welcomed at a yoga ceremony. Namuamua is much like any other modern Fijian village, with tin roofs on plywood or concrete block houses, and it has glorious mountain views from a fork in the river.
These full-day trips cost about F$100 ($45) from the Nadi hotels, F$90 to F$95 ($40.50-$43) from the Coral Coast. Children pay about half fare. A minimum of two passengers is required.
If you're into serious white-water rafting, your best bet is Rivers Fiji ([tel] 800/346-6277 in the U.S., or 345 0147; fax 345 0148; www.riversfiji.com). This American-owned outfit uses modern inflatable rafts and kayaks for trips through the Upper Navua River Gorge. These are long day trips but worth it for rafting and kayak fans. The kayak adventures cost F$175 ($79) from Nadi, F$160 ($72) from the Coral Coast, Pacific Harbour, and Suva. They don't go every day, and 24 hours advance reservations are required, so call ahead for more information.
Sailing: The Whale's Tale [STST] ([tel] 672 2455; funcruises@is.com.fj), a luxury, 30m (100-ft.) auxiliary sailboat owned by American Paul Myers, takes no more than 12 guests on day cruises from Port Denarau through the Mamanucas. The F$180 ($80) per person cost includes a continental breakfast with champagne on departure; a buffet lunch prepared on board; and all beverages, including beer, wine, and liquor, and sunset cocktails. The Whale's Tale is also available for charters ranging from 1 day in the Mamanucas to 3 days and 2 nights in the Yasawas. Rates depend on the length of trip.
South Sea Cruises ([tel] 675 0500; southsea@is.com.fj) has day sails aboard the MV Seaspray, a 25m (83-ft.) schooner that starred in the 1960s TV series Adventures in Paradise, based on James A. Michener's short stories. These trips stop at Monoriki Island, where Tom Hanks filmed the movie Castaway -- Hanks did not live on the islet all by himself during production. The cruises cost F$120 to F$160 ($54-$72) for adults, half fare for kids, depending on where you board, including morning tea, lunch, beer, wine, and soft drinks. You pay more to get on at Port Denarau, less at the Mamanuca resorts.
Because of Fiji's reef-strewn waters, the government will not permit strictly "bareboat" yacht charters, but you can rent both boat and skipper or local guide for extended cruises through the islands. Fiji Yacht Charters, Private Bag 0352, Nadi Airport ([tel] 666 2215; fax 6662633; www.fijiyachting.com), acts as an agent for several boats based at Musket Cove Resort in the Mamanucas. These include the Hobo, an 11m (37-ft.) ketch, and La Violente, a 32m (106-ft.) boat built for French royalty. Both have day cruises for about F$100 ($45) an hour and are available for longer cruises. Musket Cove's marina is a mecca for cruising yachts such as these, some of whose skippers hang around and take charters for a living.
Scuba Diving & Snorkeling: Dive operators in the Nadi area include the American firm Aqua-Trek, which has an office in Nadi Town opposite the Mobil station ([tel] 800/541-4334 or 670 2413) and dive bases at Mana and Matamanoa resorts in the Mamanucas. Aqua-Trek also has a base at Pacific Harbour, and it owns the Garden Island Resort on Taveunia. Both Sheraton resorts have dive operators on premises. Inner Space Adventures ([tel] 672 3883) at Newtown on Wailoaloa Beach caters primarily to backpackers. All have dive guides and teach courses. The price is about F$100 ($45) for a two-tank dive.
