Denarau
Denarau Island is in Nadi region.
Understand
Denarau Island is a small private island in Fiji northwest of the main island of Viti Levu, The 2.55 km2 island is attached to the mainland via a short bridge and is located 5 km north west of the town Nadi and 10 km west of Nadi International Airport.
Located on the island is Denarau Marina which is the gateway to the picture-perfect Mamanuca Islands and the Yasawa Islands. People travelling or staying on these islands via sea transfer leave from Denarau Marina.
Denarau has been built up as a upmarket, touristy, shopping area of Western Fiji.
Get in
Denarau Island is a 15 minute drive from Nadi town and up to a 25 minute drive from Nadi International Airport.
Get around
- Bula Bus, ☏ +679 675 0010, info@bulabuses.com.fj. A shuttle bus service that goes around the island, taking you to all of Denarau's major hotels and attractions. It's the most convenient way to get from one part of the island to another if it is too far to walk. $8 per adult for a day pass, free for children under 12.
See
Do
- 1 Big Bula Waterpark, Jayant Rd, ☏ +679 776 5049, info@bigbulawaterpark.com.fj. Daily 10am-5pm. A little pricey but a fun and exciting water park dominated by inflatables. Adults $99, children $84.
- 2 The Denarau Golf & Racquet Club, ☏ +679 675 9710, sg_gl2@tappoo.com.fj. Golf course with tennis courts and a restaurant. The golf course is par 72 and has water hazards in 15 of its 18 holes. Private teaching lessons for golfers at all levels are available.
- 3 Spa Maya, Suite 3 , 1st Floor, Terminal Building, Port Denarau Marina, ☏ +679 675 0330. Ayurvedic spa treatments. Facials, hair cleansing, body massage and aromatherapy. From $75 to $275 depending on package.
Learn
- 1 Flavours of Fiji Local Cooking Classes, ☏ +679 6750 840, reservations@flavoursoffiji.com. M-Sa 9:30am–4pm. The cooking school offers class, market tours and food tours. A daily session involves eight courses where you learn how to make Fijian dishes, Indo-Fijian dishes as well as tropical sweets. This ranges from root crops, local fruit and vegetables, Fiji's own style of curries and chutneys, and tropical juices. $135 per adult and $105 per child for cooking class only. $180 per adult and $130 per child for cooking class and market tour..
Buy
Because much of Denarau was designed and catered for tourists, you will be able to buy many more things in foreign currencies (Australian, US, New Zealand dollars) than in the rest of the country. Shops are also more likely to stay open in the night and on Sundays. However, keep in mind that the souvenirs you will find at Denarau Island, like black pearls, bula t-shirts and wooden carvings, are more expensive than the same sourvenirs at Nadi town, which is itself more expensive than the less flashy towns.
Eat
- 1 Hard Rock Cafe, Port Denarau Shopping Complex, ☏ +679 670-3131, Info@hardrock.com.fj. Daily 10am-11pm. Here the well known American rock 'n' roll franchise has two levels, 150 seats, authentic merchandise and a performance stage. Happy hour is between 3pm and 6pm daily, during which beers are only $2. Keep in mind that there is nothing particularly Fijian about this Hard Rock.
- 2 Nadina Authentic Fijian Restaurant, Building C, Shop R1 & R2, Levu, ☏ +679 675 0290. Daily 10am-11pm. The standout restaurant in Denarau providing local Fiji cuisine. The seafood and kava ceremony is topnotch. Vegetarian options are also available. With oceanfront views, you will feel a cooling sea breeze as you sit and dine at Nadina.
Drink
- 1 Lulu Bar, Port Denarau Terminal, ☏ +679 672 5858, admin@lulubarfiji.com. Daily 7:30am–late. They have Fijian and international beers, a variety from wines from New Zealand, Australia and the United States, and a decent selection of cocktails, including their espresso martinis.
Sleep
The prime resorts of Denarau are all lined up along the northern and western shoreline.
- Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa, Beachfront, ☏ +679 6751111, reservations@sofitelfiji.com.fj. Check-in: 2pm, check-out: 11am. The 5-star resort has 296 guest rooms looking over the ocean and a 26 acre garden. The walls are decorated with all kinds of traditional Fijian art such as paintings, carvings and sculptures. Amenities at the hotel include an interactive kids club, beach club, pool, gym, cultural activities, beauty salon, water sports, fitness centre, day spa, and five restaurants. They also cater for conferences and wedding packages.
- Sheraton Fiji Resort, Denarau South, ☏ +679 675 0777, sheraton.fiji@sheraton.com. Guests have unrestricted access to the entire resort complex, consisting of the Sheraton, Westin and Golf Club. A range of water sports are offered, including kayak, hobie cat, paddle boarding and jet ski. A total of 297 rooms are available at the resort.
- 1 Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa, Beachfront, ☏ +679 675 6800, fijibeachresort.reservations@hilton.com. Two beachfront restaurants and a swimming complex with seven pools. One of the pools is adults only.
- 2 Radisson Blu Resort, Resort Drive, ☏ +679 675 6677, reservations@radissonfiji.com. Radisson is geared towards the family market and is very child friendly. The Blu Banana Kids Club engages children aged 12 and under with a range of fun activities. Apart from that, there is free WiFi, many pools, a day spa and a private beach at the hotel. Couples on a romantic trip may find the atmosphere too noisy with the number of kids running around.
- 3 Wyndham Resort, Narewa Road, ☏ +679 675 0442, denarau.reception@wyn.com. One of the few resorts with a good Mexican restaurant.
- 4 The Westin Resort & Spa, Denarau Island North, ☏ +679 675 0000, westin.fiji@westin.com. The rooms are a little bit older but are among the most spacious in Denarau. It is popular with couples. The buffet-style breakfast is complimentary.