Unless you fly, your Mamanuca trip starts at Port Denarau Marina. It is a compact harbour-side complex of ticket counters, cafés, restaurants, a supermarket, an ATM and souvenir shops, about 20 minutes by road from Nadi International Airport and 10 minutes from Nadi town.
Denarau itself is a reclaimed island joined to the mainland by a short bridge and given over to large international resorts, a golf course and a water park. It is not the “real Fiji”, and its beach is grey and tidal — but as a comfortable place to sleep before a morning ferry it is hard to beat. Cheaper beds are in Nadi town and along Wailoaloa Beach.
Top things to do: Port Denarau & Nadi
Catch your boat without stress
Check in at the operator’s counter in the terminal building at least 30 minutes before departure. Bags are tagged by island. Most ferries and day cruises include a coach pickup from Nadi and Denarau hotels if you ask when booking.
Take a sunset cruise
If you have an evening on Denarau, a sunset sail with dinner shows you the islands’ outline the night before you reach them.
See a little of Nadi
The Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple, the produce market, the Garden of the Sleeping Giant and the Sabeto mud pools make a good half or full day inland.
Stock up
Buy sunscreen, snacks, a SIM card and cash here or in Nadi. Prices on the islands are higher and choice is limited.
How to get to Port Denarau & Nadi
- From Nadi Airport: taxis wait outside arrivals and take about 20 minutes; agree the fare or ask for the meter. Pre-booked private transfers cost a little more and save the negotiation.
- By bus: local buses and the Denarau “Bula Bus” shuttle link the resorts with the marina; public buses run between Nadi town and Denarau.
- With your boat ticket: ferry and cruise operators run complimentary or low-cost coaches from many hotels — confirm your pickup time the day before.
Insider tips
- International flight landing after early afternoon? Plan a night near Nadi; the last scheduled boats leave in the afternoon.
- On the way home, leave at least three to four hours between your ferry’s arrival and an international departure.
- Luggage storage is available at the marina and at most hotels if you want to take only a small bag to the islands.
Tours that include Port Denarau & Nadi
These bookable experiences are the easiest way to see Port Denarau & Nadi:
Private transfer from €29 per group Private SUV: Nadi Airport to Denarau/Nadi Hotels
A pre-booked private transfer from Nadi International Airport to hotels in Nadi or on Denarau Island, priced per vehicle. Handy after a long flight, and for reaching Port Denarau in time for a ferry.
- Meet-and-greet at Nadi Airport
- Help with luggage
- Private vehicle to Denarau or Nadi hotels
Sunset cruise from €72 Fiji: Sabre Sunset Cruise with BBQ Dinner & Drinks
A short evening sail from Port Denarau towards the Mamanucas as the sun goes down, with a barbecue buffet and drinks on a 78-foot sailing catamaran. It fits neatly on the evening you arrive or the night before a ferry.
- Sunset sail on a 78-foot sailing catamaran
- BBQ buffet dinner
- Drinks included
Sunset dinner cruise from €70 Fiji: Captain Cook Cruises Sunset Dinner Cruise
A longer, sit-down alternative to the sailing sunset cruise: three hours on the water from Port Denarau with dinner served on board.
- Three-hour evening cruise from Denarau
- Dinner on board
- Sunset over the islands
Mainland day tour from €67 Nadi: Garden Village Hot Spring & Temple Highlights Tour
The mainland day that pairs best with an island holiday: Nadi’s big Hindu temple, the market, a Fijian village, the hot springs and the orchid collection at the Garden of the Sleeping Giant. The most-reviewed land tour in the Nadi area.
- Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple and Nadi market
- A Fijian village visit
- Hot springs and the Garden of the Sleeping Giant
