Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

6 hour layover: Nadi or Suva -- Just want to go swimming on layove

Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Fiji

Hello

Flying from LA to Tonga stopping in both Nadi and Suva.

I can arrange to have 6 hours at one of the two locations. (arriving at 6AM at Nadi or 830 at Suva)

My best layover was in San Andres, Colombia where I spent two hours swimming at the beach 4 blocks away so figured I could try it in Fiji.

So where would you choose if you just want to chill at a nice nearby beach.

thanks
Niraj

Well - neither have good swimming beaches - you have to go to the offshore islands for best beaches.
I imagine you are flying in to Nadi and then transferring to another airline?

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I will be arriving in Nadi but will continue on Pacific Air to Suva (different flight ofcourse).

thanks
Niraj

Edited by: nirajpatel13

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mmm, fiji will be a different experience for you in my opinion

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The airport in Suva is quite a way outside of the city and there aren't really any beaches nearby anyway. You'd have more luck in Nadi. There are beaches nearby there, but they're not great for swimming. Really, as suggested above, you'd need to take a boat out to a nearby island. Doing this with a 6-hour layover is pushing it.

If I had to choose a 6-hour layover in either airport, I'd prefer Nadi, the bigger airport. There's just not much going on in Suva's airport. Suva itself has more of interest if you want to look around a city, but the travel time to and from the airport will make it so you don't have much time left in the city.

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thanks guys,
I guess I'll bag that idea and bring a big book
Niraj

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Across the road from the Nadi Airport is the Raffles Hotel - they have a great pool area if you want to just swim or relax. They offer day room rental but I got the feeling they let you just hang out if you want(that may have changed as it was a few years since we were there). We sat in their lobby for 3-4 hours waiting for our taxi. They have a shower facility that was also available to people who just dropped by while waiting for their flight. It might be a better option than just staying at the airport. There is a left luggage room at the airport as well!

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