15-hour Layover in Fiji?

I have a 15-hour layover in Fiji (Nadi) on my way to Australia. I get in at 5am and leave at 8pm, and I'd like to do something besides sit in the airport. Ideally I'd like to go snorkeling, but I don't know what day trips are available or if that's a realistic option.

Anyone have advice/recommendations? I'm sort of on a budget so if you have an idea of what your suggestions would cost, that'd be helpful.

Thanks!!

If you feel comfortable in Fiji, there is a black sand beach due west of the airport. There are nearby hotels which may offer a short-time rate?

There are companies that wil take you out on a boat to one of the offshore islands for the day, where you can snorkel.
They serve you lunch, spend several hours letting you swim in that tropical turquoise water, then return to Denarau Marina
outside Nadi. Don't know the names of them offhand, but the Fiji Tourism Bureau should be able to help you out.

for some ideas on day tours in Fiji have a look at

http://www.fijitraveltips.com/

http://www.fijidaytours.com/

and

http://www.ssc.com.fj/

these three websites will be able to provide detailed information that will get you snorkeling

almost all of the boat return times to the marina are at 6:00pm

Is 6pm at Denarau Marina enough time to get to the airport and check in for a flight leaving at 8pm?

In Fiji- probably not since it's an outgoing international flight and we are talking about life-in-the-slow-lane Fiji. Getting
through security and passport control could be just enough to miss your flight. Not to mention if the boat return to Denarau
is delayed. Do any boat tours return before 6p.m.?

Nadi airport is notoriously busy and understaffed. I would want 3 hours to be safe.

A couple tours that run from 9am - 3pm

Most boat trips run from Port Denarau, allow 30min to the airport.

This place http://www.rafflesgateway.com/
is right opposite the airport and is a good place to have rest, shower, swim eat, drink.
They can also organise tours.Pretty sure you can get a "day use" rate there.

I'm planning to go from Canada to Australia with a stopover to fiji aswell. Can you tell me what airline does that? I can't find one and don't want to travel through Auckland.
Thx
CD

"I'm planning to go from Canada to Australia with a stopover to fiji aswell. Can you tell me what airline does that? I can't find one and don't want to travel through Auckland."

Air Pacific.... try kayak.com

^Yup.

Air Pacific has daily flights from LA to Nadi, and then multiple flights daily from Nadi to Australian destinations (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane).

No one flies direct from Canada to Fiji.