Fiji - 20 Hour Layover

Hello All,

Got a couple of questions that I could LIKELY get answered with an exhaustive web search OR by asking the experts (buttering you up in hopes that you'll ignore my laziness). My girlfriend and I hold U.S. passports and are flying to New Zealand via Nadi, Fiji. Our layover is close to 20 hours (don't judge us, the tix were supah cheap). I think we'll stay at the Raffles; it appears to be the closest place to the airport.

1. Will we need any Visa to clear immigration / customs?
2. Is there a better spot to camp than the Raffles?
3. Is the airport small enough to show up 1 hour prior to flight the next day or is 2 recommended?
4. Is there a "must do" activity that would be possible in our timeframe? (Approx. 1:00 p.m. to early next morning)

Much Mahalo in Advance for ALL tips, tricks and advice.

Scarlet

1. You don't need anything in advance.
2. Camp?
3. The airport can be busy and it does get a fair bit of traffic. Two hours would be wiser.
4. No, not within that time frame. Don't judge Fiji by what you'll have time to see.

Agree with Tch7:
2. Raffles is close, generic and relatively cheap (so I use it for overnights). It depends what you are after. There are 5 star generic resorts (Hilton, Sofitel, etc) only 20 minutes drive away on Denerau Island (via a bridge not a boat). If you're leaving early morning, don't consider anything on a true island - you'll wave your flight goodbye as it passes over you
3. It's small and chaotic. If you're flying Air Pacific (or a code-share flight), they'll want you there 3 hours before the flight. Pretty well everyone else is 2 hours. Do not risk one hour. I know people that have snuck on despite being only 30 mins to take off, but I also know people who've been bumped a few minutes under the hour
4. Agree and agree. You could probably do one of the tourist shows in the evening. They're fun, but just don't expect a 'genuine Fiji experience'

If you feel up to it, 20 hours should make it possible to do a day-trip to one of the Mamanuca Islands - Bounty could be nice for beach, Mana for beach+exploring.
Catamarans to these islands leave from Denaru (close to the airport) several times daily, and any of the several travel agents who tend to meet international flights at the airport will be happy to book you on a day-trip.
It's probably much better than spending your time in a mainland hotel - save that one for sleeping!

raffles is a fine place to stay for an overnight stop over very close to the airport (walking distance)

I agree with tch7 don't risk 1hr before your flight leaves...2hrs would be better 1.5hrs minimum

for dinner/afternoon drinks I would go to Port Denarau (approx. 25mins by taxi from Raffles) and eat at one of the resturants there

for something to do during the day I would look at a Nadi Day Tour...lots to chose from like this one

http://www.fijitraveltips.com/index.php/things-to-do/nadi-sightseeing-tour-fiji

great way to see the city and surrounding area with limited time

MUCH MAHALO to all! Definitely will not judge Fiji based on a layover! Raffles will be the most convenient and will look into a wander about after we land. Nice to know we won't need a Visa for entry. Will definitely return for a longer stay now that I see how cheap (and fast) we can get there from Hawaii!!

Again - Mahalo - Scarlet