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July 23, 2024Nadi Airport – Spotting Guide
Nadi Airport (NAN/NFFN) is the biggest airport in Fiji located just north (2 kilometers) of the city of Nadi itsself. Nadi is located at the western coast of the main island of Fiji called Viti Levu. The airport was opened in 1942 and nowadays handles 2,9 million passenger a year (2024). Besides Fiji Airways, a lot of interesting and exotic carriers like Air Niugini, Nauru Airlines or Solomon Airlines can be seen.
From spot 4 drive till the end of Wailoaloa Rd and you will reach the Turtle Airways hangar. A couple of seaplanes are parked there.
Written by Clindon J Down Photography, Qu Zizhuo and Jon Marzo. Last Update March 2026: Spots 4B,C and 5 added
| Rating | |
| Movements | |
| Airline Variety | |
| Photo Locations | |
| Weather | |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 02/20 | 3275 x 45m |
| 09/27 | 2135 x 45m |
| Terminals | |
| Domestic Terminal | Located in the south handling all domestic flights |
| International Terminal | Located in the northwest handling all intl. flights |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not needed here, so luckily you do not need to bring a ladder to your vacation in Fiji. |
| Car/Public Transport | Most spots are located in walking distance from the terminal, but otherwise you can also easily take a taxi to get around the airfield. There is a e-bike rental store at Newtown Wailoaloa Rd. Check https://www.bicyclefiji.com |
| Drinks/Food | In the terminal you can find some facilities as well as here and there around the airfield. |
| Hotels | There are various hotels and resorts all around the airport. For spotting you can use the rooftop from the “Nadi Bay Resort Hotel”. |
| Season | There is not specific season with much more/less traffic here, but the weather is better and sunnier in the months May till October. |
| Security | Spotting is absolutely no issue here at Nadi, just be prepared to be looked at strangely as spotters are fairly not that common here! |
| Runway Usage | |
| 02/20 | Crosswind runway. Small props (DHC6) up to 737 (short haul) use this runway for domestic flights. |
| 09/27 | All long haul flights use this runway. 09 preferred for arrivals whilst 27 is for departures. |
| Spot #1 – Domestic Terminal – Ramp | |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This spot is located outside, just next to the Domestic terminal. If coming by car, you can park at the airport’s carpark and then make your way there and then head for the fence front just east of the Domestic terminal. |
| WHAT | From here you can spot aircraft movements in front of the domestic terminal: for example the Twin Otter base or Fiji Link and a few ATRs as well. In the back you can also see 09/27 movements. |
| TIME | Roughly from morning till mid-afternoon during the local winter season. In the summer months its not usable as sun is above the planes. |
| MISC. | A ladder could be useful, but you can also work through the fence nicely or use one of the stones at the fence to clear it. There are food outlets & bathrooms in the terminal. Haze might be an issue on the apron. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 24-200mm |
| Spot #2 – Rental Car – Intl + Remote Apron | |
|---|---|
| WHERE | From the terminal start walking eastwards to the Rental Car area. There you will find some housings/facilities and just north of these there is a part of the fence you can reach/access and walk along looking for your favourite angle: southern part allows front-shots, eastern part side-shots. Further option is to walk on the abandoned railroad tracks northwards, pass the hangar and find another place to spot from, directly at the fence. If coming by car, you can park at the airport’s carpark and |
| WHAT | This spot offers nice views onto the apron in front thus it is good for the international aircraft arriving or departing from the closest gate, plus military and corporate jets nearby. |
| TIME | The light here is good in the morning hours until noon. |
| MISC. | A ladder could be useful, but you can also work through the fence nicely. There are food outlets & bathrooms in the terminal. Haze might be an issue on the apron. Security approached spotters here on multiple occasions but once you explain what you are doing they are very welcoming. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 24-200mm |
| Spot #3 – Bradfield Dr – 27 Approach | |
|---|---|
| WHERE | From the terminal, walk or drive towards the helicopter apron of Island Hoppers Fiji on Bradfield Drive – or if you are entering the airport area from outside/the east, it is a left turn to the south after entering the airport. From Bradfield Dr you will have a decent view at one point as you can see below. |
| WHAT | From here you can beautifully shoot 27 arrivals. |
| TIME | Roughly from morning till mid-afternoon during the local winter season (May-October). In the summer months it’s not usable as sun is above the planes. |
| MISC. | No ladder needed here as you can shoot over the fence. There are food outlets & bathrooms in the terminal as nearest option, so take water as it can be quite sweaty! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 200-400mm DHC 6 = 400mm |
| Spot #4 – Wailoaloa Rd – 02 Arrivals | |
|---|---|
| WHERE | There are two locations at the southwestern end of the airport for 02 arrivals. It is right next to the tent of “Cool Events Venture” (Spot 4A) at Wailoaloa Rd or continue the dirt road further up till the fence (Spot 4B). All are very close to each other. You can come here by taxi from the airport or take a car/motorbicycle easily. |
| WHAT | From here you can spot 02 Arrivals. |
| TIME | Good from noon till sunset roughly. |
| MISC. | Nothing around, except houses and farms: no toilets, no food stands, bring what you need. Not a lot of flights so bring sunscreen. Beware of angry dogs at 4B. Locals use wooden sticks on bikes to defend themselves. The dogs need some minutes to cool down, stay in the car if possible |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-300mm A320 = 160mm |
Spot 4A Cool Events Venue
Spot 4B Fence
| Spot #5 – Nalagi Hotel – 02 arrivals and 20 departures | |
|---|---|
| WHERE | The rooftop deck of the Nalagi Hotel at Queens Rd offers a fantastic view on the 02 approach. Sit down, relax and swim in the pool before the next plane is on approach. There is no need to be a hotel guest! The swimming pool, terrace and toilet are all free. There is a small store on the top floor selling drinks and snacks. |
| WHAT | From here you can spot 02 Arrivals and 20 heavy departures |
| TIME | Good from sunrise until noon. |
| MISC. | Everything needed within the hotel complex. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 737 approch = 400mm |


4A is not possible anymore as a new Hotel with several houses blocks the view to the approach.
4B is still accessible but it is one road south as where it is marked on the map. Beware of angry dogs there. Locals use wooden sticks on bikes to defend themselves. The dogs need some minutes to cool down, stay in the car if possible.
I can see the hotel on Google Maps and removed the spot. Thanks for the hints!
-Julian
The top floor of the Nalagi hotel is also a great spot. It has a convenience store and sunshades, and you can take photos of the takeoff.
Can you provide some photos please to support@spotterguide.net
Thanks, Julian