Tuvalu
Floating in the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and Australia lies the tiny, little-known nation of Tuvalu. This remote archipelago nation, sitting just south of the equator, offers intrepid travelers pristine tropical islands with world-class scuba diving, extraordinary marine wildlife, rich Polynesian culture, and the kind of breathtakingly beautiful beaches with overwater bungalows more commonly associated with the Maldives or French Polynesia.
Yet few people even realize that Tuvalu exists! In this blog post, we highlight some of Tuvalu’s top visitor attractions across its three island groups – the must-see places and must-do activities if you’re lucky enough to journey to one of the Pacific Ocean’s hidden travel gems.
Funafuti Conservation Area
Most tourists arriving by plane land at Funafuti Atoll, home to Tuvalu’s capital, Vaiaku. Funafuti offers the best tourist amenities and services in Tuvalu, along with plenty of marvelous sites, so it serves as an ideal home base.
Topping any visit to Funafuti is spending a day at the Funafuti Conservation Area, an offshore marine sanctuary protecting magnificent coral reefs teeming with over 400 species of colorful tropical fish and endangered sea turtles. Local guides lead snorkeling and scuba trips spotting manta rays, reef sharks, sea snakes, and all manner of glorious underwater creatures. When you surface, relax right on the marine sanctuary’s idyllic white sand beach dotted with swaying palm trees.
At low tide, check out Funafala Islet, connected to Funafuti by a coral causeway exposed only a few times monthly. Funafala offers prime tidal pools for bonefishing and unmatched sunset views as you picnic on the beach. And for great photo ops, stop by the lovely 1896 Catholic church, one of the oldest structures in Tuvalu.
Vaiaku Lagi Hotel & Restaurants
While lodging options remain basic in Tuvalu, the Vaiaku Lagi Hotel offers comfortable air-conditioned rooms right near the airport and ferry terminal. Enjoy delicious Tuna steak and Chinese fried rice at the on-site restaurant after watching magical sunsets at the Funafuti Yacht Club next door. The pastel-colored dining room at Lyn’s Place serves excellent seafood cooked with coconut milk and tasty desserts like cassava cake and panipopo coconut buns.
Island Hop to Spectacular Outer Atolls
One of the chief draws of visiting Tuvalu involves booking an island-hopping expedition to outer atolls offering authentic Polynesian lifestyle experiences. Catch a ride on fishing boats between Funafuti and smaller neighboring islands like Funamanu or Fualopa. Here you can snorkel or scuba dive even more pristine reefs, learn handicrafts from master carvers, enjoy Polynesian dancing performances, and get welcomed as an honored guest by warm locals when staying in village guest fales.
The truly adventurous can arrange multi-day sails on the Nivaga III supply ship bringing cargo and passengers to the outer island groups of Nanumanga, Niutao, Nanumea, Nui, and Nukufetau. Far from other tourists, immerse yourself making coconut oil, hearing mythical tales, and feasting on delicacies like freshly caught Red Snapper over an open fire in thatched huts. Just be prepared for very basic accommodation in rural villages!
Discover Tuvaluan History and Culture
Gain greater appreciation for Tuvaluan cultural heritage with visits to the Tuvalu Philatelic Bureau displaying the iconic Tuvaluan stamp collection, the Tuvalu National Library and Archives to peek at historical documents, and the National Museum housed at Vaiaku Falekaupule for exhibits introducing native arts and traditional seafaring canoes.
Don’t miss mingling with lively Tuvaluans at the kaupule building dancing and playing ukulele on Fiafia Night every Thursday. And for local handicrafts like intricately woven fans or model outrigger canoes, stop by stands near the airport run by women’s cooperatives.
Nature Lover’s Paradise – Nanumea Atoll
Located at Tuvalu’s northern edge, Nanumea Atoll offers one of the most idyllic tropical island settings imaginable. Encircled by white and pink sand beaches with legendary sunrise views, Nanumea features ancient stone fish traps dotted along the coastline and vestiges of defensive walls protecting against historic invaders.
But Nanumea’s real claim to fame lies as one of the best destinations in the Pacific region for spotting migratory birds. Ornithologists have logged over 30 species here, including thousands of stunning terns. Join conservation groups forest bird surveying and enjoying the island’s abundant coconut crab population. At Nanumea’s turtle sanctuary, get hands-on helping conservation officers protect Hawksbill Turtles during the laying season.
Adventurous souls can also explore shipwreck remains left from WWII naval battles and arrange overnight camping on uninhabited Motu Upua islet off Nanumea’s coast. Let the sound of the waves lull you to sleep under the stars in the middle of the pristine Pacific!
World Famous Diving Mecca – Niutao Atoll
Experienced divers know Niutao Atoll as one of the premier scuba diving and snorkeling locations in the South Pacific. Featuring stupendous visibility up to 200 feet, divers flock to Niutao to explore vertical reef walls blanketed in corals and sea fans that plunge to incredible depths. Along the way, spot giant tuna, breaching dolphins, sharks, and majestic manta rays.
Niutao offers multiple world-class dive sites like Kolou’s Cave penetrable only at slack tide and revealing an undersea world of stalactites and stalagmites, the mystical looking Golden Chimneys site, and Nuapapa Pool with resident sea turtles in a protected inner lagoon area.
When booking dive trips with Niutaan captains, don’t miss sampling delicious cook-to-order seafood BBQ right on board between adventures. It makes for quite a gourmet experience right in the middle of the Pacific!
Tuvalu Travel Tips
As an tiny country visited by just a few thousand tourists annually, Tuvalu offers the kind of off-the-beaten-path adventure only accessible to intrepid travelers seeking authentic cultural experiences in one of the world’s most remote destinations.
To visit Tuvalu, secure tourist visas before arrival, as they are not available on entry. Funafuti Port’s ferry terminal and the country’s lone international airport on Fongafale islet facilitate interisland domestic transportation and flights in via Fiji. Travel between November and March falls during the dry season with cooler temperatures and ideal scuba diving visibility.
While continuously working to expand facilities, Tuvalu still has extremely limited lodging, primarily village guest house fales or basic hotel rooms, especially outside the capital. So visitors must prepare for rustic conditions at times – but the chance to connect with incredibly welcoming people in one of the planet’s least traveled places makes any minor inconveniences worthwhile!
So pack your spirit of adventure and make plans to uncover the gems of the Pacific – the magical islands of Tuvalu await! Let us take you to this South Pacific paradise!
