Where to Spend Your First & Last Night in Fiji (So You Never Miss a Flight or Ferry)

If you’re travelling to Fiji, there’s one thing every island-hopper figures out pretty quickly: timing is everything. Your flight lands at 3pm… but your ferry left at 3pm. Your island transfer only runs once a day… but your plane was delayed. Or.... the classic... trying to make it back from the islands in time for your international flight and spending the whole ride stressing instead of soaking it in.

Here’s the truth: Fiji runs on island time, and the best way to travel Fiji stress-free is to give yourself a buffer night on both ends of your trip. Below are the best places to stay for your first night when you land, and your last night before you fly out. So you never rush, never stress, and never miss a ferry again.

Your First Night in Fiji – Where to Stay After Landing

Whether you’re landing in Nadi at 6am, 3pm, or midnight... don’t try to sprint straight to the islands. The ferries to the Yasawas and Mamanucas leave early, and private transfers aren’t always running on demand. Stay close, reset, and start fresh the next morning.

Best Spots for Night One:

1. Denarau (Closest to the Ferry Terminal)

If your trip includes the Mamanucas or Yasawas, this is your safest choice. Denarau is where the ferries depart, so staying here means you’re 5–10 minutes from Port Denarau = zero stress.

Great options:

• Cardos Apartments (Airbnb)

• Port Denarau Apartments

• The Palms Apartments (perfect for families and groups)

• The Terraces Denarau

  
  

Why stay here? Short transfer, easy walk or taxi to the port, and lots of cafés and restaurants to ease into holiday mode.

2. Wailoaloa Beach (Budget-Friendly + Social Vibes)

Perfect if you’re looking for something more relaxed and budget-friendly.Wailoaloa is 10 minutes from the airport and 15 minutes from Denarau.

Great options:

• Smugglers Cove

• Ramada Suites (beachfront with sunset views)

  
  

Why stay here? Good food, a long beachfront, and the perfect place to meet other travellers headed to the islands.

Your Last Night in Fiji – For Stress-Free Departures

After you’ve spent your days island-hopping, diving, snorkelling, cocktail-sipping, and eating kokoda, the last thing you want is to rush back for your flight. Give yourself one final night on the mainland: think of it as your soft landing back to reality.

Best Spots for the Night Before Your Flight

1. Fiji Gateway Hotel (Directly Across the Airport)

The safest, easiest option. You can literally walk to the airport.

Why stay here?

• Perfect for crack-of-dawn flights

• A waterslide and pool to keep the holiday vibe going

• No transfer stress at 4am

2. Novotel Nadi (Close + Comfortable)

Only a 5–7 minute drive from the airport: clean, modern, and reliable.

3. Tokatoka Resort (Airport + Resort Feel)

Another airport-side option with a more relaxed, tropical vibe.

Stranded Tip: How Much Time Should You Allow?

Here’s the golden rule:

If your ferry leaves before 10am: Stay in Denarau the night before.

If your flight leaves before midday: Stay near the airport the night before.

Fiji runs smoothly, but not fast and transfers don’t wait for you.