Denarau Golf and Racquet Club
On Denarau Island a short hop from Nadi, the gateway to Fiji's resort coast, Denarau Golf and Racquet Club is the islands' best known course. Eiichi Motohashi designed it in the early 1990s, a par 72 of about 7,150 yards threaded between lagoons and palms, with playful bunkers shaped like marine creatures and a string of beach resorts on the doorstep.
Photo: Denarau Golf and Racquet Club via Google.
The verdict
Denarau is resort golf in the truest sense, a tropical par 72 sitting at the center of Fiji's most developed holiday island, ringed by Sheraton, Westin and Hilton properties. Eiichi Motohashi gave it width and a Pacific sense of fun, including bunkers cut in the shape of marine creatures, while keeping enough water and length to hold the attention of a low handicap.
It suits the golfer on a beach holiday who wants a round or two without travelling far from the sun lounger, and it pairs with Natadola Bay along the Coral Coast for a fuller Fijian golf trip. Take a buggy, play early before the heat builds, and treat it as the relaxed centerpiece of an island stay.
Denarau Golf and Racquet Club at a glance
- Opened
- 1993
- Designer
- Eiichi Motohashi
- Type
- Resort
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 7,150 yds
- Green fee
- From FJD 300
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Denarau Golf and Racquet Club and leading course databases. Eiichi Motohashi designed the course in the early 1990s, a par 72 of about 7,150 yards on Denarau Island. Indicative visitor green fees in 2025 run from about FJD 300 to FJD 350 for eighteen holes, with juniors discounted. Fees change by season and year, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The course plays through a flat tropical landscape softened by water and palms, with the standout feature the set of bunkers shaped like a turtle, a manta ray and other Pacific creatures that give Denarau its identity. Width off the tee keeps it friendly for holiday golfers, but the lagoons gather a loose shot and the greens ask for a steady hand.
Length is there from the back markers at about 7,150 yards, enough to test a scratch player, while the forward tees keep the round comfortable for mixed groups. Heat and humidity are the real defense, so an early tee time and plenty of water matter more than club selection on many days.
It is golf to be enjoyed rather than survived, a scenic, walkable resort layout that fits neatly around the beaches, spas and dining of the Denarau resorts.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Resort course; visitors welcome daily, with guests of the Denarau resorts the core market |
| Green fee | From about FJD 300 to FJD 350 for eighteen holes, juniors discounted (indicative, 2025) |
| Booking | Reserve through the club or your resort concierge; buggy hire is usual in the heat |
| On the day | Buggies available; light tropical dress in line with resort golf; sun protection essential |
| Getting there | Denarau Island, about 20 minutes from Nadi International Airport across the causeway |
| Best months | May to October, Fiji's drier, cooler season, is the most comfortable for golf |
Access and fees verified June 2026; policies change, so always confirm directly with the club or your resort concierge before planning a visit.
Where to stay nearby
Denarau Island is built around its resorts, with Sheraton, Westin, Hilton, Radisson and Sofitel properties set along the beach within minutes of the first tee. It is the simplest base in Fiji for a golf and beach holiday, with restaurants and a marina at Port Denarau close by.
For a wider trip, the Coral Coast to the south adds Natadola Bay, regularly rated among the finest courses in the South Pacific, and a string of beach resorts. Pairing Denarau with Natadola makes a satisfying two course Fijian itinerary.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Denarau Golf and Racquet Club.
Build a Fiji golf trip
We pair Denarau with Natadola Bay and the best of Fiji's beach resorts, then book the lodging around your tee times. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Denarau Golf and Racquet Club questions
Who designed Denarau Golf and Racquet Club and when did it open?
The course was designed by Eiichi Motohashi and opened in the early 1990s on Denarau Island near Nadi, the gateway to Fiji's resort coast.
What is the par and length of Denarau?
Denarau is a par 72 of about 7,150 yards from the back tees, a tropical resort layout threaded between lagoons and palms with bunkers shaped like Pacific marine creatures.
How much does it cost to play Denarau?
Indicative visitor green fees in 2025 run from about FJD 300 to FJD 350 for eighteen holes, with juniors discounted. Fees change by season and year, so always confirm directly before booking.
Can visitors play Denarau?
Yes. Visitors are welcome daily, with guests of the Denarau resorts the core market. A buggy is usual in the tropical heat and an early tee time is wise.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Tee time windows, course access changes and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.