Tucked away next to the beautiful Golf & Racquet Club on Fiji’s upscale suburb of Denarau Island is the country’s only mini golf course. It’s a fun family-friendly activity in Nadi, and a good way to spend a couple of hours while waiting for a flight, or unwind after a busy island-hopping trip.
Miniature golf has been a popular pastime since at least the 1930’s. Its combination of bridges, hills, traps, and other obstacles make it a fun, challenging game that’s great to play. We’re always looking for fun things to do in Nadi, so when we found out that there was a mini golf course at Denarau Island, we picked our laziest summer day and went to check it out.
Visiting in mid-afternoon in the middle of summer might not have been the ideal choice, though we still had a good time. Denarau’s Mini Golf course is in a lovely setting with some shaded benches, but like any outdoor activity in Fiji, there’s no escape from the humid heat. If you’re visiting on a hot summer day, I recommend going in the morning. Fiji enjoys a warm tropical climate year-round. Summer months stretch from November – April, and these are the rainiest and hottest months of the year. You’re more likely to have the course to yourself during this time, though the more popular winter months are the most pleasant, with more sunshine and slightly cooler temperatures.
Denarau Mini Golf is an 18-hole course, and while it may not be as fancy as many of the mini golf courses you’ll find in other parts of the world, it has enough challenges to make it an entertaining way to spend a couple of hours enjoying Fiji’s tropical outdoors. The course may be uneven in places, and you’ll probably need to sweep off a few leaves before you take a swing, but this is Fiji and that’s part of the experience!
The course was quiet when we arrived, and even though Denarau’s Mini Golf course is on the main road, we weren’t bothered by the noise of traffic. It was a fun and relaxing activity, and we enjoyed the lovely green setting. The reception desk sells cold drinks, including some bottled alcoholic beverages. Scorecards are provided and anyone who gets a hole-in-one is encouraged to write their name on the board at the front.
How to get to Denarau Mini Golf
You can find the mini golf course along Resort Drive at Denarau Island, which is about a 15-20 minute drive from Nadi International Airport. If you’re staying at a hotel in Denarau, you can easily catch the Bula Bus to the golf course. The shuttle departs from every major hotel, as well as the shops at Port Denarau every 15 minutes. If you’re staying at the Sheraton Resort, it’s a short walk across the street. A taxi from most areas of Nadi will cost between $20-35, though I recommend you agree on a fare with the driver beforehand.
Other things to do near Denarau
There are tons of great activities in and around Denarau Island, which can be enjoyed before or after a visit to Denarau’s Mini Golf Course:
• Denarau Marina is worth a visit, whether you’re taking a boat to one of the islands or just want to spend an afternoon shopping and eating. Personal dining favourites are Lulu Bar and Cardo’s Steakhouse, and unique Fijian-made souvenirs can be found at places like Pineapple Boutique and Jacks of Fiji.
• A great way to experience Fijian cuisine is to learn to make it yourself! The Flavours of Fiji cooking school is located on Denarau Island, and offers tours of Nadi Market as well as a 3-hour cooking class that will teach you to make 6 different Fijian and Indo-Fijian dishes.
• The Garden of the Sleeping Giant is located near Nadi International Airport. Previously owned by a Hollywood actor, it now operates as a beautiful public garden with colourful orchids, winding pathways and an amazing lookout.
• Just a 40-minute drive south of Denarau is the Momi Battery Historical Park. Located on a hilltop, this historic site was a military station during World War II. Visitors can learn about Fiji’s role in the Pacific War and see the restored 7-metre guns that still sit on top of the hill.
• If you’re looking for some excitement, Skydive Fiji can take you up to 14,000 feet above Denarau Island for amazing views of the surrounding area. They offer free transfers between local hotels and their base in Denarau.
At the time of our visit, the Denarau Mini Golf course was open 7 days a week from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Admission was $25 per adult and they had a special family rate of $65 for two adults and 2 children. Updates can be found on the Denarau Mini Golf Facebook page.
Are you planning a trip to Fiji?
Find out how you can make a positive difference on your trip by reading my guide to ethical travel in Fiji. It lists some of the ways you can help the locals, contribute to the economy and help to keep the country looking beautiful.
I’ve created a printable travel planner that will help make trip planning a breeze. This 7-page PDF has spots to fill in hotel and flight details, emergency info, must-do activities and more. It is available as an instant digital download in the Onwards + Upwards shop.
You can also check out my Fijian language guide, which will help you learn some of the common Fijian words and phrases so you can connect with the locals. It gives a bit of insight into Fiji’s 3 main languages, and helps you learn the basics of pronouncing iTaukei words.
