travel to tuvalu from uk

How To Travel To Tuvalu and Best Things To Do in Tuvalu

One of the least visited countries in the world, Tuvalu only receives about 2000+ visitors per year.

The official tourism website comes with the tagline, ‘Timeless Tuvalu’ – perhaps it’s a hint to expect a much slower pace once you arrive.

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Either way, if you’re planning to travel to Tuvalu, you’ll be among a very small number of curious travellers to reach this part of the world.

On the flight from Suva in Fiji, the 64-seater plane was only half full. There were a few visitors travelling to Tuvalu for business and only five people visiting for tourism.

The rest were locals probably seeking medical assistance, visiting family or studying in Fiji and returning home for a break.

Table of Contents

Here is how to travel to Tuvalu:

Getting to tuvalu.

Since not many people travel to Tuvalu each year, there is little information available online. As of Jan 2020, there are 3 flights per week with Fiji Airways that connect Tuvalu with Suva in Fiji (please note Fiji has 2 airports, most other flights arrive at NAN airport). This is the best flight to travel to Tuvalu.

The flight leaves Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday early morning and returns to Suva in the afternoon.

Fiji Airways is reliable and if you’re lucky to have QF frequent flyer points, you may be able to use them as this flight is expensive (flat fare of USD $300-$500 each-way)

The only other airline flying to Tuvalu is Air Kiribati connecting Tarawa (Kiribati) flying every Wednesday. Unfortunately, this flight is very unreliable and we do not recommend that you travel to Tuvalu with this airline. 

As it turned out, we had confirmed seats with them to move on to Kiribati from Tuvalu, however, the flight was cancelled. I’ll explain more about that later. For this reason, we’d recommend paying the extra money and booking seats back to Suva with Fiji Airways. It will save you many headaches in the long run when you travel to Tuvalu. You can find the best-priced fares on Skyscanner .

Here is our helpful guide on  How to find and book the cheapest flights to everywhere

Our travel to Tuvalu – We have arrived

Landing in Tuvalu is quite the experience. The small island nation appears in the middle of the Pacific and you can see the lagoon on your left  (hint: get a seat on the left side of the plane coming in) .

Approaching the airstrip, it feels like you’ll land in the water. Then a couple of palm trees and a tarmac appears, and you brace yourself for a quick landing.

Once we had landed and the plane was moving towards the terminal building, we could see local women waving at the plane before we step off.

As expected, the airport is very small, and while the luggage is offloaded, it’s a breezy clearance through immigration as one guy processes all arrivals. There aren’t many tourists that travel to Tuvalu, it’s mostly people travelling for work or locals.

As we retrieve our luggage, we walk outside to find many smiling locals and some with signs of the few hotels/guesthouses to stay at while on the island.

Accommodation

As mentioned, there are only a few places to stay in Tuvalu, and we were very happy with our stay at Esfam Hotel. This family-run hotel feels more like a welcoming guesthouse.

Rooms have A/C, good beds, kettle with tea/coffee and they’re very clean.

Room rates are (AUD $100 twin/double) per night or from A$75 single comes with a decent breakfast. The rates are very similar for other accommodation options on the island. The hotel is very conveniently located only a few minutes walk from the airport and the main hub of town.

Esfam hotel can also provide you with home-cooked meals for lunch or dinner of chicken/fish served with rice for AUD $15 AUD, you just need to give them a few hours notice.

Overall, the staff were fantastic here. In saying that, the people of Tuvalu, in general, were super friendly. But if you plan to travel to Tuvalu, we suggest you stay here.

Other accommodation options in Tuvalu are listed below:

Filamona Hotel  – Located just on the other side of the airport and another popular option. Rates here are A$120 per night for a double room. View price and availability here .

L Lodge  – This is also another good option, however, you must walk about 10-15 min to get here in the high heat and humidity. Room rates are A$70 single room or A$100 double room with breakfast.

To make a reservation at any of the above accommodation options, you need to email or call them. You will find that they are currently not listed on  booking.com  – this is the website we’d usually use to reserve ahead.

Getting online in Tuvalu

If you thought travel to Tuvalu is different to what you were used to, well get ready to be offline. Wifi is not common in Tuvalu. If you want it, you gotta pay quite a bit for it.

Hotels and guesthouses don’t have it, but they will tell you that the best way to get connected in Tuvalu is to go to the Telecom office and buy a voucher.

These start at AUD $5 for 250 MB or A$20 for 1GB.

Things to Do in Tuvalu

1. hang out on the airstrip.

The main sight in Tuvalu is the airstrip (the airport runway). I’m not kidding, the runway is like the social hub of the island in the evenings, as during the day it is very hot.

If you only have one time to do when you travel to Tuvalu, then this is it.

As there are only 3 flights per week arriving here, there is a loud siren that is blasted before any flight lands or departs to alert all the locals below to clear the airstrip.

In the evenings, locals come here to play football, rugby and volleyball and kids ride their bikes here. They even have their own unique sport called Te Ano. Make sure to come here one evening to chill out and see all the activities going on

2. Day trip in the lagoon

A visit to the conservation lagoon would be another major highlight. You need to organise a boat with a fisherman (about AUD $70) and also pay a conservation fee of AUD $150.

The maximum number of people in a boat is up to 7 people, so if you can organise a small group of people, the costs above can be shared. You can try to talk to other people on the flight or guesthouse when you travel to Tuvalu to see if they are interested in sharing the coast. 

Ask your accommodation provider to put you in contact with the fisherman. Maybe keep your eye out for any travellers on your arrival flight and ask them if they’re interested in sharing costs for this day trip before you arrive. A day trip in the conservation area is from 08:00 – 16:00.

3. Hire a scooter

You can hire a scooter and drive around the island. There is only one main road – you can’t get lost. Your accommodation provider may have one for you to hire.

If they don’t, they’ll refer you to a place nearby that will hire one for you. Everybody knows each other in Tuvalu, the sense of community here is strong. We loved it.

What to eat in Tuvalu – and where to find it

You probably didn’t travel to Tuvalu for food. As with other small island nations, options for good wholesome foods and fresh produce are scarce. The cooked food that you will find is mainly Chinese food or deep-fried fish and chips. Many locals live on imported goods such as 2-minute noodles, rice, canned meat and frozen food as there aren’t too many other choices. It costs more to eat more nutritious food here.

If you have the budget, I’d recommend that you eat the home-cooked food from your accommodation provider during your stay. If you’re travelling on a budget, we found a few places to eat for less below:

The small takeaway shop near the airport  – Once you exit the airport and turn left, there is a small colourful hut with 2 wooden picnic tables out front. Ladies inside here cook deep-fried fish and chips for A$4 per serve (we ate this, it was good). I saw steamed rice with chicken curry and chicken sandwiches too.

It’s affordable food and the portions are generous. This place was buzzing at lunchtime with locals stopping by to collect lunch to take away. A good option in my opinion.

Blue Ocean Chinese Restaurant  – A small place with plastic chairs and plates of Chinese food that ‘will do’. Don’t expect anything great here. We ate here when we arrived on the island (only a 5min walk from Esfam Hotel) and ordered a combination fried rice for A$6.

It wasn’t great, but it did the job. We didn’t return again during our stay in Tuvalu.

The supermarket –  We found two supermarkets on our travel to Tuvalu, but this one was by far the best one. It’s a 10-minute walk from Esfam Hotel down one road, you can’t miss it.

The best thing about this place is that they cook hot Australian meat pies for A$2. This is a cheap dinner option and filled the spot. You can also find the usual suspects such as packets of biscuits etc to get you through.

You can buy a cold beer here or from the little shops around the island for about A$2.60.

Our experience in Tuvalu

Overall we really enjoyed our time spent in Tuvalu. The people were lovely, there’s a nice tropical vibe and hanging out with the locals on the airstrip was kinda cool.

Unfortunately, due to the cancelled flight from Air Kiribati (to take us to Kiribati), we got stranded here. The flight was cancelled due to mechanical reasons and it wasn’t operating until the following week.

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It was looking like we were to be stuck in Tuvalu for another 8 days which would affect the rest of our flights and plans through the Pacific nations.

We spent a day going back and forth with the Air Kiribati representative over the phone trying to arrange how we were to get off the island. In the end, we were able to get on a waitlist for the fully booked flight the following day with Fiji Airways.

Miraculously, we made it onto the flight back to Suva. We took the flight link to Nadi (where we were forced to spend two days) and then onwards to (kind of) catch up with our planned itinerary.

In saying that, we never did get to Kiribati, so that has to be rescheduled for another time. 

Travel Tips for Oceania & Australia

We have many travel guides and tips for Oceania & Australia—a fascinating continent!

Australia is ideal for exploring with two wheels! If you plan to explore Oz, check out our best tips for doing the Big Lap of Australia 

These 12 classic foods from Australia  are unmissable and remember to get a photo with the 30 best BIG THINGS in Australia.

Do you plan to visit the Pacific islands? You’ll need our ULTIMATE guide to visit every country in the Pacific.

Furthermore, if you plan to travel longer after visiting Australia and Oceania, these 21 cheapest countries to visit will make your hard-earned dollars stretch a bit further.

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If you want to travel with like-minded travellers, consider joining a group tour. View the best deals on group tours in Oceania & Australia here .

Check out our best-ever travel tips compiled from more than twenty years of experience.

Travel Planning Resources

✈️ Flights : We use Skyscanner to book cheap flights worldwide.

🏨 Accommodation :  Booking.com is our preferred platform for booking hotels and accommodation. We use Vrbo to book apartments and long-term stays.

🏥 Travel Insurance : We recommend Heymondo ( Get 5% off Heymondo)  & SafetyWing

🚌 Transportation : Trainline is the best website to reserve trains. We use Omio to book transport worldwide. For travel in Asia, we use 12Go.  

🚘 Car Rental : We use DiscoverCars to book rental cars worldwide.

👫 Group Tours :  G Adventures OR compare multi-day tours worldwide with Tourradar .

📸 Day Tours & Trips :  GetYourGuide  & Viator are the only two platforms you need.

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🎒 Luggage :  Osprey Farpoint 40L Backpack  or  Samsonite Luggage Range.

🛄 What to Pack:  Don’t forget your Universal charger and a good  power bank .  To help you pack the essentials, here is our ULTIMATE Packing List for all Travellers .

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✅ Check out our Travel Gear  and  Travel Resources for more valuable tips to save you money!

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Tuvalu: How To Get The World's Least Visited Country

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10 best california parks where you can pull your rv right up to the water, 7 hike-friendly towns in colorado, quick links, tuvalu - the tiny remote pacific country, background & history of tuvalu, expect rudimentary but authentic services in tuvalu, accommodation on tuvalu.

The least visited country in the world is said to be the tiny remote Pacific Island country of Tuvalu. Those who have visited Tahiti (one of the most popular destinations in the Pacific) will be taken aback by just how different the two locations are. Going to Tuvalu is an adventurous and rewarding experience - it is not a simple and straightforward affair like getting to Tahiti or Hawaii.

The main way to get to Tuvalu is via another Pacific Island country, Fiji . There are flights three times a week between the country with an ATR 72-600 aircraft. There is a flight from Hawaii to Fiji, but many of the flights connect through Australia. Have an unusual bucket list of destinations by taking the time and effort to visit the country that the fewest people get to see.

Tuvalu is one of the smallest and most remote countries in the world. And thanks to its massive isolation, it is one of the most authentic countries in the Pacific to visit. Tuvalu was formerly known as the Ellice Islands and is located around mid-way between Hawaii and Australia.

It is a peaceful and non-commercialized island with vast expanses of ocean. It is full of atolls, picturesque lagoons, coral reefs, and rich Polynesian island culture. It is made up of three reef islands and six atolls.

• Population: 10,500 People
• Language: Tuvaluan & English
• Capital: Funafuti

The country is very vulnerable to rising sea levels from climate change, with no point of the islands higher than 4.5 meters or 15 feet above sea level.

The main island is Funafuti which has over half of the country's population - around 6,000. Officially, the entire atoll of Funafuti is the capital.

Related: Visit Norfolk Island: Australia's Peculiar Pacific Island Territory

The Polynesians expanded from Samoa and Tonga to colonize the Tuvaluan atolls during the great age of Polynesian exploration. The first Europeans to see the archipelago were the Spanish in 1568. In the 1800s, the United Kingdom claimed the islands, and it became a fully independent country in 1978.

The United States has a history with the country as well. During World War Two, several thousand American troops were stationed there (then called the Ellice Islands). The Americans built airstrips on the islands that are still used today.

While it is the Solomon Islands which are the World War Two military hardware graveyard of the Pacific, visitors can see discarded WW2 military equipment in Tuvalu. See the remains of WW2 planes long abandoned in the scrub, the wreck of a landing craft, and the old runways. See a well-preserved underground bunker and more.

Tuvalu is considered one of the world's most peaceful but least developed countries. But life on these remote islands is simple and yet often harsh. The country has no rivers or streams and little soil. The country has earned some money by selling its internet suffix ".tv" for television broadcasters.

• Currency: Australian Dollars
• Visa Policy: 1 Month Visa Free (90 Days For Schengen Area Passports)

The currency in use in Tuvalu is Australian dollars. Visitors should bring traveler's checks or bring plenty of cash as there are no credit card services anywhere in Tuvalu. The country does have a bank - the National Bank of Tuvalu that is open 10.00 am to 2.00 pm Mondays through Thursdays and 9.00 am to 1.00 pm on Fridays.

There is internet available in the country, but expect it to be slow.

Related: Explore Palau: 10 Best Ways To Explore This Hidden Pacific Island

Visitors need to keep in mind they are visiting a very small, very remote, and undeveloped country. So don't expect the accommodation and services to be on par with Tahiti and the like. Tourism here is still in its infancy. For more detailed information about visiting the country and organizing one's trip, one should check the country's website and email accommodation providers on the islands.

The list of accommodations in the country is:

• Afelita Island Resort ([email protected])
• Afelita B&B ([email protected])
• Fakasagi Lodge ([email protected])
• Funafala Guest House ([email protected])
• L’s Lodge ([email protected])
• Lanumoana Lodge ([email protected])
• Luta’s B&B (ph: 00 688 20794, mobile: 00 688 7003025)

It's not every day the exhaustive list of accommodations in a country can be detailed in a single article! Enjoy a very personal and friendly stay within Tuvalu with the locals.

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Tuvalu: All you need to know

Tuvalu is a tiny independent country in the South Pacific made of nine atolls that achieved its independence from the UK in 1978 . Despite being one of the top-5 least visited countries in the world , it has a lot of unique features that made it one of the most special places I have ever been to. 

For one, Tuvalu is the second smallest country in the world in terms of population, closely following Nauru at just 11,000 citizens, and measures just 26 square kilometers, making it the fourth smallest in terms of size, after Monaco , Nauru and The Vatican. 

However, it felt much smaller than these three. The main island, where most of the Tuvaluan live, has one road that crosses it end to end and measures just 11km long, and the island is just a few meters wide at times. 

I have been to narrower countries, Kiribati is sometimes just the width of the causeway, but the fact that you can walk the entire length of Tuvalu in two hours makes it feel terribly small, even smaller than Nauru whose circumference road is 19km.  

If you want to see how Tuvalu looks like from the air, see the video below which shows the last minute before landing on Tuvalu.

Tuvalu is also the least developed country in the world and one with the smallest GDP at just over $40 million in 2018, that is less than any of the publicly traded companies in most European stock exchanges. Yet it runs on a budgetary surplus .

Tuvalu does not have the natural phosphate resources of neighbouring Nauru or the wealth of the Church in The Vatican, and it is not a haven for the rich and famous. 

The country’s main income sources are the the sale of stamps to philatelic collectors (they have some curious ones for sale too), fishing licenses and the income from the sale of copra. It also famously leased the country’s .tv domain to a Canadian company. 

Then there is The Tuvalu Trust Fund , set up years ago as a safety net in case the country does indeed sink. Sadly, this is what Tuvalu is known to most: a country slowly disappearing under rising sea levels. 

Like the Maldives or Kiribati , the country is largely flat, the highest point is about 4m above sea level, and the risk of disappearance is high. Locals tell you about patches of beach that once were, or islands that have been submerged, like it has happened in the Solomon Islands. 

It is common to see palm trees practically horizontal, as the sand they grew on has been washed away by the sea. 

Where is Tuvalu

Tuvalu is located a 2h flight away from Fiji and about 3h flight away from Tarawa in Kiribati, the only two airports with three weekly direct commercial flights (jointly). Geographically speaking, Tuvalu is half-way between Hawaii and Australia and right next to the Equator so temperatures are the same all year round .

History of Tuvalu

Tuvalu, formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is a group of coral atolls geographically located in Micronesia but of Polynesian descent that was a British colony until 1978. 

Polynesians populated the islands in the 14th century and words like Talofa, used in Tonga and Samoa , are also part of the local Tuvaluan language. The country shares a lot of its cultural heritage with Samoa even if geographically, and politically, it was administered together with Kiribati.

The island was first spotted by Western explorers in the 16th century when Spanish Alvaro Mendana de Neyra saw it but the original name of the islands was after a ship owned by a British MP called Edward Ellice who arrived in 1819. 

During the 19th century, the islanders were kidnapped and used as slaves until the UK declared it a protectorate in 1892 together with the Gilbert Islands, today’s Kiribati. 

In the 21st century, Tuvalu makes the news regularly because of the effects of climate change. The country is sinking, literally, and it is thought the population will become the first climate-change refugees , having to flee Tuvalu because the rising sea levels will swallow the islands.

Australia’s Prime Minister has offered full citizenship to Tuvaluans (and Nauruans and i-Kiribati) in exchange for fishing rights and Fiji has offered land to relocate the small population. 

Population relocations are not new, they happened with some Tvaluans after WWII and with a Kiribati island in 1945, but never because of climate change. The country is also trying to protect itself with programs to avoid erosion and sea walls.

If it were to sink, would Tuvaluans hold rights to the waters? Would the country still have a seat in the UN? These are some very complex questions to answer.

Things to do and places to see in Tuvalu

Before the country disappears, you can visit Tuvalu and see for yourself. 

The main island of Fongafale is a really really small place and, as you read from above, there is little development so, as expected, there are few things to do .

Most visitors will stay in this island, because that is where the airport is. Going to the other atolls is hard because there are no flights and the boats depart every two weeks.

Tuvalu has no ATM and credit cards are not accepted anywhere either, so you need to bring all your cash with you. You can however exchange foreign currency, Australian Dollars, USD and Euro, at the only bank branch, right by the airport. 

This means that you need to plan what you will do ahead of time so you bring enough cash to pay for it. Things like renting a scooter or a car, or going on a trip to the Conservation area are extremely expensive activities.

Do […] on Tuvalu’s runway

Tuvalu’s main feature is the open runway which is a unique institution from WWII and the only place in the world where a country’s international runway is used for anything else during most of the week.

The airstrip was built during WWII by the American forces who conquered the island before the Japanese did and built an airstrip to be able to land military planes and other equipment. 

Since then, Tuvalu has maintained it as the lifeline of the country, making it more accessible than other islands in the Pacific that have remained colonies and can only be reached by unreliable ocean routes.

Tuvalu is not the only country with an open runway, Nauru has it too, but you can’t use for anything else when there is no air traffic, it simply sits idle and empty. 

In Tuvalu, you have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of playing volleyball, football or simply watching the Milky Way from the runway and that is a pretty cool thing, especially for aviation geeks.

As soon as the evening comes, locals flock to the runway for anything and everything and when the night falls, you will find people sitting on the pavement, or laying down. This is quite an experience.

This unique experience is the result of the country’s isolation. Tuvalu receives only three flights a week, usually even less as the Air Kiribati flight from Tarawa is almost always cancelled (as some friends of mine noted). 

The Fiji Airways flights from Suva lands and departs in the middle of the day and the police will ring a siren about 15min before their arrival to warn everyone. The road accessing the runway will then be guarded by policemen stopping car traffic and you can watch a plane land mere meters from you.

Pro tip : for an extra dose of fun, drive your scooter down the runway, totally allowed and you’ll see the local doing so.

Funafuti Conservation area

The Conservation Area was the highlight of my trip to Tuvalu . 

After having visited almost all the Pacific countries, I knew that not all them have the white sand, powdery beaches we dream of, many of them, including Tuvalu and Nauru, are mostly atoll islands with rocky shores, aggravated by global warming, and the beach is an elusive idea.

What is more, despite many of them having beaches, laying on the beach like we are used to in the northern hemisphere is not really a thing there, the locals don’t want to get a tan and it’s really hot. 

Plus there are no beach facilities per se, since people only go down in the evenings when it is less hot, just to play. In the Funafuti Atoll where the capital of Tuvalu is, there is only a small patch of sand at end of the runway, along with a few concrete picnic tables and benches, but it is not very inviting because the port is nearby.

For the real South Pacific feel, head to the Conservation Area where you will spot fluffy pink and white coral beaches, swaying palm trees and no other human in sight.

The conservation area includes six islands , Tepuka Savilivili, Fualopa, Fuafatu, Vasafua, Fuagea and Tefala, and tours usually take you to Fualopa because it is the largest and nicest. 

The government protects this area and fishing or staying overnight is not allowed. Visitors also must pay $70 fee to enter the reserve and there are ongoing efforts to protect the area from further erosion from weather and rising sea levels. 

During your trip to the reserve you can snorkel on the clear waters and see colorful reef fish and large clams. On land, there are lots of nesting birds and millions of small hermit crabs and larger coconut crabs. Turtles also nest on the beach and we spotted dolphins. If you are lucky, you can also see manta rays.

Fualopa is between 25min and 1h by boat from Vaiapu but this depends on the sea. We took 25min to get there and over an hour to return because of the large waves.

The tour is made with a guide and a boatman. The guide will stay with you, the boatman usually goes and returns to pick you up. Tours run from 8,30am until lunch time, you can stay longer if you request it. 

You should bring everything with you, and take back any trash. There is nothing on the islands and the weather is unpredictable so I suggest a dry bag to put your belongings so they don’t get wet on the boat or on the island. The lodges usually rent snorkelling equipment and will give you towels.

This is not a cheap activity . We spent a considerable amount of money for the excursion. You need to pay the following:

• $5 per person for snorkelling equipment (to the lodge you stay at)
• $70 to the Conservation Area
• $150 for the boat ride
• $20 per person to the guide
• Total for two people: $270 for half a day

As you can see, this is as expensive as a dive trip but at least you know a bit chunk goes to the conservation of the area. Fuel is expensive in Tuvalu as it needs to be imported, so the boat ride is costly. 

If you have time or prefer to see more than one, you can ask the guide and you can stop at more than one island. We were quite happy to stay at Fualopa enjoying the area, taking photos, flying the drone and snorkelling, but she mentioned there were other islands we could visit. 

Alternatively, the best thing to do would be to ask for a full day tour which would probably cost more on the guide but the same for the rest. This way you can go island hopping. Make sure to bring lunch.

Walk (or drive) the length of the island

Because the weather is permanently really hot, we decided to rent a car to get around. You will soon realise it takes about 15min to drive the length of Funafuti , you could also walk it and that would be around 3h return. It is small. 

Renting a car can be done from the lodge. We rented our RAV4 car from L Lodge’s owner, and this is usually how things work, you just borrow someone’s car for a fee, in this case, $75 per day. You needn’t worry about petrol because you can’t really use much of it. 

Nobody checked our driving license or got us to sign anything, this is just how it works. Tuvalu has no crime and if anything happened, everyone would know within minutes.

If you drive along the main road, you can reach the farther point from Vaiapu and realise that is the island’s landfill. 

See the sunset

The island of Fongafale sees great sunsets from the lagoon side and it pays to buy some snacks and a drink from the supermarkets in town and then drive to a spot of your choice to see the sun set. You will be absolutely alone and the colors are just always stunning.

I could suggest to go to a bar instead, but there is only one, and is in town, so it has no views. It also does not get going until later in the evening.

Buy stamps and send postcards

Thanks to my very persistent travel companion, I got to visit the Post Office. 

We had to go four times to be able to finally get someone to sell us some postcards and stamps but it was well worth it.

While postcards are something that regularly runs out (we were lucky a shipment had arrived the day before), stamps are always available and Tuvalu has some really weird and unique ones that make for collector’s pieces.

Go to church

Even if you are not religious, like me, Sunday in the Pacific is the day for church. Most of the countries do not allow for work on Sunday and all businesses will be closed, so the only thing left to do is to put on your best dress and join the locals at church.

Churches in the Pacific are for everyone and they are are full of singing, so they make for a truly cultural and fun experience . Chances are a local will invite you for lunch after, this happened to me in every country.

Watch a Fatele performance

As we were leaving the airport after out nocturnal visit to the runway, we heard the singing and dancing at the community hall, the maneapa.

We got closer and saw all the locals dancing and singing, some wearing grass skirts, others in their regular clothes, and everyone clapping and dancing along. 

Unlike other countries in the Pacific like the Cook Islands, Fiji or French Polynesia, the dances in Tuvalu are authentic , there are tourists to perform for, and are the way the locals have fun. If you are interested, just ask the lodge you are staying at where you can find one.

The two main ones are the large yellow maneapa next to the airport as well as the one along the runway.

Marvel at beautiful cemeteries

One thing that impressed me the most about Tuvalu are the beautiful cemeteries. Tombs are often covered with permanent wooden huts which are decorated with flowers outside and sometimes inside. They look beautiful and are very visibly seen as the country has limited land. 

Walk to other islands

If you want the truly remote South Pacific experience, you can even visit some of the other islands in the Funafuti Atoll. Most of them can be reached either by boat (like the Conservation area) or by foot at low tide. 

If you continue walking past the runway on the southern part of Fongafale at low tide, you will be able to walk to one or even two islands on foot. Crossing to other islets at low tide is common in the area, I also did it in Kiribati, you just have to be careful not to be caught at high tide because there are no boats to bring you back. 

Stay at an even more remote island

If you want to feel truly remote and have the real castaway feel, then you should book a room at the idyllically quiet Afelita Island Resort , located in the north part of the atoll and reachable on a 10min boat ride. 

Explore WWII Wrecks

Although you will not find fighter jets like in Solomon islands , anti aerial guns like in Kiribati or Nauru, or ship wrecks like in Chuuk , Tuvalu also has its fair share of WWII wrecks.

The island was bombed by the American and Japanese forces but it did not suffer as much as other parts of the Pacific because the population did not resist. What you can find here is heavy infrastructure equipment left behind after the war. 

Along the island you can find a few abandoned wrecks including a rusty treaded vehicle. In the sea, a Van Camp wreck near an abandoned and rusted bus. 

Chill and relax

As you might have realised, there is not that much in the way of active things to do in Tuvalu. The country is laid back, has a limited amount of tourist attractions and is very small. So do as locals do and take it easy. 

Maybe find a stretch of sand and lay down under a palm tree to read, or use one of the many hammocks hanging around for a nap (ask the local owner first). Relaxing and disconnecting is one of the best, and easiest things to do in Tuvalu, mostly because there is little internet and you are far from the noises of urban centers.

Tuvalu restaurants and bars

Restaurant options in Tuvalu are limited and there are only a couple of options, both run by Chinese families and with long menus with any possible pseudo-Chinese dish you can think of . 

The usual suspects are fried chicken, fried fish, grilled and stewed meats, fried rice and noodles. The menus are quite extensive but heavy meat and fish based with carbohydrates. It is very difficult to find fruits and vegetables on any menu, in particular, it’s practically impossible to see vegetables. 

Tuvalu has very limited arable land with locals growing some fruits in their backyard for their own consumption and the vast majority of the foods are imported. As a result, fresh vegetables rarely make it and if they do, are very expensive. 

Even the vegetables in dishes are mostly frozen (peas, corn, carrot) and fresh options limited to cabbage. This makes it hard for the locals to have a balanced diet and Tuvaluans are one of the most obese populations in the world. 

This restaurant on the first floor of a concrete building that is the closest Tuvalu gets to a mall, serves Chinese food with a more sophisticated feel than any other place in the country. This probably is the most formal of all the restaurants even if it still serves food on plastic tables and chairs.

On the menu all sorts of dishes, from sizzling grilled meat to chop suey (a very popular Chinese dish in the Pacific), curry, noodles, soups, rice, stir fried meats and vegetables, etc. with generous portions and prices ranging from AUD18 to AUD30.

Similar to 3Ts, Ocean Blue also serves Chinese food but with a more limited menu and in a more modest setting. Blue Ocean is however known for its fish and chips , which is actually pretty good and made with locally caught fish.

There are also a long list of other dishes, fried rice, stir fry, chop suey, etc.

Tuvalu hotels and other accommodation

Like with restaurants, there are limited accommodation options in Tuvalu and only a handful of hotels. The best ones are Esfam and L’s Lodge which is where I stayed. 

I went to visit all the rest of the places to check them out and compare and also asked a few other travelers, most notably Taiwanese doctors who were staying at L’s Lodge and had visited Tuvalu many times for extended periods, and these two are the best. 

Things to note when booking a hotel in Tuvalu:

• Remember that you can’t use credit cards anywhere on Tuvalu so try to book and prepay before arrival or bring lots of cash with you.
• There is no hot water anywhere on Tuvalu, all hotels have cold water and the only place with hot water is the Australian compound. Hotels are no exception so get ready for cold showers.
• It is extremely hot in Tuvalu all year round so I highly recommend booking a room with AC or you will struggle to have any rest. 
• Mosquitoes are everywhere and during my visit, there was an outbreak of dengue too so make sure to close the windows and if you spot any, use repellent.

Ls Lodge is a cozy small guest house near the end of the runway. The rooms are spread over two floors, three on the ground floor and the rest upstairs.

On the first floor there is a living room with sofas and a TV as well as a kitchen and table where breakfast is served. On the ground floor there are also some sofas and the reception from where you can book a tour to the conservation as well as rent a car or scooter.

L’s Lodge is available on Airbnb and you should indeed book in advance and prepay because you can’t pay with credit cards at the hotel (they’re not accepted anywhere in Tuvalu) and bringing so much cash is a hassle. 

Esfam Lodge

Esfam is a slightly larger lodge located nearer to the airport and has similar facilities and rooms. It is also a family-run business. 

Esfam is also available for booking on Airbnb but beware, my travel companion was asked to book outside the site and pay at the hotel, you should make sure to use Airbnb instead because of the protection that gives you and the fact that you don’t have to carry cash. 

Filamona Guesthouse

Filamona is located right by the airport and is usually cheaper than the other two options above. The guesthouse does not receive great reviews from friends but it is far more affordable than the other options.

It is also the only one which has a bar where foreigners and sometimes local politicians and other important people congregate for drinks. There is also a colorful tomb at the entrance, a rather unusual sight anywhere else but common in Tuvalu. You can book Filamona on Facebook by messaging them.  

Funafuti Lagoon Hotel

The government owned hotel is the only real hotel in Tuvalu . Located right by the airport and sea-facing, the hotel was undergoing refurbishment when I was there and adding new bungalow rooms.

Visa and other practical information

Tuvalu is a very unique country with lots of limitations, hence you need to properly plan your trip  ahead of time.

How to get to Tuvalu

Tuvalu is reachable by plane on a twice weekly service by Fiji Airways from Suva in Fiji, and the occasional weekly flight from Tarawa operated by Air Kiribati that is notoriously unreliable and usually cancelled. 

The 2h flight from Suva is the safest bet to make it to Tuvalu but it is also quite an expensive option. Flights are served by a propeller plane that can fit 68 people with their luggage. If you are flying from another city connecting in Suva you will have to collect your luggage and re-check in. 

Because the flights only run twice weekly you will either spend two or five days in Tuvalu. Most people spend two and if you had five you would probably be quite bored, which is why you should then consider staying at one of the island lodges for a couple of days.

The airport in Tuvalu has no luggage belt, instead, the suitcases will be brought over by the staff directly from the plane. Check in commences about 2h before the flight and the staff are unable to issue any onwards boarding passes. 

Boarding passes are hand written and luggage weighed on regular scales. There is no bar or cafeteria at the airport and the boarding lounge only opens half an hour before the flight. There is no AC inside either but there are lots of fans. 

Best time to visit Tuvalu

Tuvalu is a tropical island and as such, it sees a lot of rain. Even the driest months enjoy short downpours and that is necessary because Tuvalu has no natural water sources so the only way for the population to stock on water supply is by collecting rainfall. 

The following graph illustrates the monthly rainfall and you can see how even in the drier summer months rainfall is very high. For reference, Tuvalu’s dry months’ rainfall see more rain than most countries in their rainy season.

Case in point it rained every day I was there even though July is supposed to be a dry month.

At the same time, temperatures are constant all year round between 25 and 31 degrees. But don’t let this fool you, humidity is also high, making the heat sensation worse than the thermometer may indicate. 

Because the rain can put such a damper on your holiday and make the roads and the trip to the conservation area difficult, I highly recommend visiting Tuvalu from June to September.

Money matters

This is the most essential part of the planning because Tuvalu is the only country in the world without ATMs . Other countries require you to bring all your cash with you because of embargoes (e.g. Sudan) but Tuvalu just has no place to get money once there so you need to plan well how much you will need.

Firstly, Tuvalu’s currency is the Australian dollar and there is one bank office only in the whole country located by the airport where you can exchange foreign currency. The counter for this is on the first floor and is open in the morning only. 

Alternatively, there is Moneygram in the same bank office, which you can use to send yourself money before the trip or get a relative to do so should you need. 

How much will you need? Here is a rough budget for Tuvalu for two people traveling for two nights:

• Trip to the conservation area: AUD270.
• Cost per meal: AUD25 pp x 4 meals = AUD100 per person, AUD200 for two.
• Car rental: AUD75, try to get them to rent you the car for two half days so you go to the conservation area on Day 2 in the morning and have the car on the afternoon of Day 1 and 2.
• Postcards, stamps, water, snacks, etc. AUD50 pp = AUD100. 
• Drinks for sunset: AUD15 pp x 2 days AUD60.
• TOTAL: AUD630, without including hotels which you should try to prepay by booking on Airbnb.

Visa for Tuvalu

Most nationalities can go to Tuvalu without a visa. You can find the visa requirements via the Emirates website which uses IATA information.

You will have to fill in a four part arrival card with sections on customs, agricultural quarantine, health and immigration which the airline staff will hand out before landing. Upon landing, there will be four people taking each of the papers and then you can collect your luggage. 

Immigration for foreigners is swift as the planes don’t carry a lot of passengers and the majority are local.

What to pack and bring to Tuvalu

The country’s remoteness means that a lot of the things that you would regularly and easily find in most places may just not be available in Tuvalu so you should bring everything you need with yourself.

Because this is a beach holiday, I would suggest to pack the usual suspects. Plus, not to exacerbate the country’s garbage management efforts, I highly recommend taking your trash with you when you leave. 

Chances are this just means a couple of plastic bottles but just imagine how hard it is to dispose of that when your country’s total size is just 26 square kilometers.

Here is a list of the things you should take with you to Tuvalu.

This is a must, the sun is hyper strong in the Pacific and you are right by the Equator so bringing high SPF sunblock and applying it regularly and continuously is a necessity. I always love and use Biore which is non stick

A hat or cap

This one for women is good, and this one for men. I would usually think that a cap is enough but after severely burning my neck I know that you need to make sure to cover that part too so a wide brim option is best.

Mosquito repellent

Mosquitoes in the Pacific are vicious and ever present. When I visited, Tuvalu had both Zika and a Dengue outbreak so proper protection is a necessity. I used three pots of repellent in my ten days in the area and just moderate spraying did not protect me, I had to literally douse myself in repellent. 

You really need a repellent that has DEET in Tuvalu. OFF is a reliable brand I use often (I brought it to Tuvalu) and this one has 25% DEET. Or if you are really prone to mosquito bites try Coleman which has 40% DEET. Make sure to thoroughly wash hands after applying it, DEET is really toxic and will upset your stomach.

I am practical in this department, just like with the mosquito repellent and hat. You can wear designer glasses to the luxury resort in Taormina , but you need to bring heavy duty sunglasses to Tuvalu. 

Because the sun rays are strong and you need to protect your eyesight from the sun and the wind. I am a big fan of Oakley, they are heavy duty, they last, they are polarised and not too expensive. I have been using them since I was a lifeguard at age 16 and spent 8 hours a day staring at the ocean, sand and sun. 

These simple black ones are good for men, or in brown if you prefer. For women, Oakley has come a long way from the manly, heavy-duty models to cute cat eye versions in brown and in black . 

Although I will admit I have bought the same black Oakley sports model for years and love it because it holds my hair when I place them on my head and doesn’t let any sun or sand get into my eyes because it covers them all the way.

Clothes and swimwear

In terms of clothes, I highly recommend shorts and t-shirts and long sleeve cotton or linen shirts which both protect you from the sun and the mosquitoes. 

A sarong is useful for many things and helps you if you want to get in the water in the main island. At the Conservation Area you will most likely be the only one, but in Funafuti, you should cover up as a women and not wander in the beach in your swimwear. Swimwear is to be used on your trip to the conservation. 

Given how strong the sun is, I strongly suggest bringing a rash vest , I always wear them to protect from the sun when snorkeling so I don’t sunburn without realising it. Make sure it is long sleeved and has SPF protection.

For women, they make some really cute ones these days and I like the ones with a zipper which can be taken on and put back on easily. This flowery one is very cute and ticks all the boxes and this black one is more plain and goes with everything. Or get a super sexy onesie or Billabong’s silver shiny one (beware it does not cover your arms).

Other things to pack

You should bring any medical and personal hygiene products with you because the range of options available is very limited and regularly runs out. Any prescription medication should also be carried with you because it may not be available on the island.

Tuvalu has limited medical facilities and only one anesthesiologist shared with Kiribati. That is, the doctor spends six months in each country. While the Government of Taiwan has had a long term aid program where they send doctors to Tuvalu to help train and perform procedures, you are best making sure you don’t need any help. 

Travel insurance

You should never leave home without travel insurance and remember that this needs to be bought before your trip. 

World Nomads is a very widely used insurance company with affordable prices. You can get a quotation and purchase insurance pretty quickly and easily with the box below. 

• Check if you need a visa, get help processing it at iVisa .
• Never ever leave without travel insurance. Get affordable coverage from World Nomads or long term insurance from Safety Wing .
• I find all of my flights on KAYAK . Check their Deals section too.
• Search for all your transportation between destinations on the trusted travel booking platform Bookaway .
• I book all my day trips and tours via GetYourGuide , they are the best and their tours are refundable up to 24h in advance.
• Get USD35 off your first booking with Airbnb .
• Compare hotels EVERYWHERE at HotelsCombined and book with Booking.com .
• Compare car rental prices at Rentalcars.com

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Tuvalu Travel Guide: How to Get to Tuvalu & Where to Stay

• 5th February 2024
• 6 minute read

As one of the few thousand visitors who are welcomed a year, this Tuvalu Travel Guide will provide you with the necessary information for an otherwise off-the-beaten-path experience.

The isolated islands of Tuvalu are for keen travellers seeking tranquillity, cultural richness and untouched natural beauty in a place where the slow pace of island life is embraced. You’ll have plenty of time to connect with the friendly locals of this Pacific paradise, but just travel there quick, as the destination is slowly disappearing to rising sea levels.

Tuvalu consists of nine atolls, each with a unique charm and character. The largest and most populous atoll is Funafuti, which is also the country’s capital. This is home to government buildings, schools, a hospital and the international airport.

Table of Contents

How to get to tuvalu, island transport, funafuti lagoon hotel, esfam hotel, best time to go, local cuisine, pack essentials, why does no one go to tuvalu, is tuvalu a country, does tuvalu get tourists.

Don’t have time to read this now?  Pin this blog for later .

Tuvalu Travel Guide

Funafuti, Tuvalu’s capital, is home to the country’s famously small international airport. This is served by flights from Fiji.

As of 2020, there is only one flight path to Tuvalu; Suva Airport (in Fiji) to Funafuti International Airport. This service is operated by Fiji Airways, flying two to three times a week, departing on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The flight takes approximately 2.5 hours. This is the most popular and easiest route into the country, but make your booking well in advance and check the schedule as options are limited and can be affected by changing weather conditions and potential delays.

Being a small, remote island nation, Tuvalu has very limited transport options available but this only contributes to the charm of the Pacific nation.

👟 Foot –  From one end to the other, Funafuti (the main island in Tuvalu) is just approximetly a 10.5 kilometre walk. Exploring by foot allows visitors the opportunity to explore at a leisurely pace, interact with locals along the way and soak in the laidback atmosphere of the island. Plus, there is only one road, so navigation is not difficult.

🛵 Moped – The island is best explored by moped, however, you will not find anything other than manual transmission. Filamona Hotel has a moped available for rent, but you will also find an entire fleet across from the Halavai shop which is beyond the Chinese restaurant. The friendly owners of the family-run business offered us one moped for 20 AUD per day. You could drive the entire length of the island in 20 minutes.

🚤 Boat –  It is possible to organise a boat trip that will transport you between two to three uninhabited paradise islands in the atoll. This is an unmissable day trip where you’ll discover some of the best snorkelling opportunities, palm trees to climb and fresh coconuts to slurp. The town council is the only place that will organise such a trip. You will need to visit the office in person at 9 am to ask for permission, a permit and a boat driver. The permit costs 70 AUD and the boat was 150 AUD, so it may be worth offering to share the journey with fellow travellers. The journey is flexible, and open to amendments, but typically runs from 10 am to 4.30 pm between islands such as Fualopa, Te Puka, Afuakliki and Fualefeke.

Where to Stay in Tuvalu

Accommodation options in Tuvalu range from guesthouses to small hotels, with only a few places located on the main island; Funafuti. With this in mind, consider booking your accommodation at the earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.

Filamona Hotel is a very popular option. Why is this place a top choice? Filamona Hotel is just metres away from the airport… Honestly, there is nothing but a building between the plane and the hotel’s reception desk! Besides the convenience, Filamona Hotel is the best for people-watching as their premises overlook a large portion of the airstrip.

Funafuti Lagoon Hotel is the largest of the accommodation options. It may be better equipped, but personally, I felt it was less charismatic and more of a hub for foreign workers.

This family-run hotel has a welcome resembling a guesthouse. The rooms have air conditioning, decent beds and a kettle, with a decent breakfast each morning too. Although Esfam is only a few minutes walk from the airport, it is not the closest. On the other hand, this hotel is conveniently located within the town’s main hub and the other restaurants. Wifi is also often available on the property.

Things To Know Before You Go

The weekends are extremely quiet in Tuvalu, especially on Sundays whilst the locals attend their local church services. Shops, banks, restaurants and other services are closed with accommodations offering meals to their guests only. With this in mind, it may be preferable to plan your visit around the weekdays instead.

The day-to-day currency of Tuvalu is the Australian Dollar (AUD). It has been the legal tender since 1966.

Tuvalu is a cash culture society, however, there are no ATMs so arrive prepared. It is possible to change money at the airport, but the exchange rates do not tend to be favourable. Credit cards are not accepted anywhere in Tuvalu.

Whether you are looking for a data plan or any wifi connection, the internet is hard to come by in Tuvalu. There is a Telecom shop on the main street; Tuvalu Road. They are closed on the weekends, but if you catch them open you could potentially buy a 1GB SIM card for 10 AUD. Otherwise, there are other locations where you can find a limited connection. For instance, Esfahan Hotel has wifi available within their property, though they do not appreciate anyone other than guests trying to connect.

Tuvalu Travel Guide Tips

Christianity is a common practice in Tuvalu, with church service being a focal point every Sunday. For that reason, don’t expect anything to be open so stock up on necessities and ensure you’re accommodation can prepare your meals on that day.

Tuvalu is not widely known for food as fresh produce and wholesome options are hard to come by. Any meals that you will be presented with are likely to consist of deep-fried fish, noodles or Chinese food. In order to budget you stay, take enough cash for 10-15 AUD per meal in a restaurant, or 20-25 AUD to dine in hotels.

The main attraction in Tuvalu is the airstrip. When it’s not in use by incoming planes, Tuvalu’s famous runway is the town’s meeting point. During the day, you will find locals driving along the edges and across the centre of the airstip (only!) . Then when the sun falls, the residents will accept the cooler temperatures as an opportunity to play sport, socialise, or even stargaze on the tarmac.

Three loud sirens inform everybody on the island that a flight is due to land on the runway. The first sound is a warning; the second confirms the airstrip is closed to traffic and the third indicates the plane is arriving. This is evidently one of the most exciting events to happen every week on the island as the energy changes and local kids surround the airstrip to admire the aircrafts from just metres away.

Due to Tuvalu’s remote location, it’s important to pack everything you might need. This should include reef-safe sunscreen, insect repellent, female products and any specific medications, as well as enough cash too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Being in a faraway corner of the world with limited transport links, Tuvalu is a very difficult country to access. With this difficulty and the lack of a tourism infrastructure, there isn’t many people who choose to visit the country.

Tuvalu is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean between Australia and Hawaii. At 26 square kilometres (10 square miles), it is one of the smallest and most isolated countries in the world.

Tuvalu typically only welcomes one to four thousand tourists each year, although most of them are foreign aid workers and researchers. As a result, there is very little typical tourism infrastructure to support visitors. Nevertheless, the Tuvaluan people are still very welcoming, but any tourist will undoubtedly be among a tiny number of curious travellers, with the majority of foreigners travelling for work, study or volunteering purposes.

Let’s go! @katie.maree

Did You Know…

If you purchase through a KatieGoes link, you still pay the sam e but we receive a small amount. This contribution helps keep this blog moving – win, win! Nevertheless, I only recommend personal favourites…

🎒 My Gear : Check my travel essentials for backpacking, van life and outdoor adventures.

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Getting help

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel. 

Emergency services in Tuvalu  

Ambulance: 999 

Hospital: (+688) 20749 

Police: 911 

Contact your travel provider and insurer 

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do. 

Refunds and changes to travel 

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first. 

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans , including: 

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider 
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim 

Support from FCDO  

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including: 

• getting help if you’re a  victim of crime   
• what to do if you’re  in hospital   
• if you’re affected by a crisis , such as a terrorist attack 

Contacting FCDO  

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications  when this travel advice is updated. 

You can also contact FCDO online . 

Help abroad in an emergency 

If you are in Tuvalu and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the British High Commission in Suva, Fiji , who provide consular assistance for Tuvalu. 

FCDO in London 

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad. 

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours) 

Find out about call charges  

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13 things to know before visiting Tuvalu

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Travel To Tuvalu Islands

Travel info tuvalu, plaining a trip to tuvalu and wondering what to expect  the information on this page will help and cover everything from money to hiring motorbikes. if you need more information, please feel free to contact us .

Tuvalu lies west of the International dateline and 1000km north of Fiji in the central Pacific just below the equator and is 12 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time in the same zone as Fiji. The six atolls and three islands that make up Tuvalu together total only 25 square km in land area, curving northwest-southeast in a chain 676 km long on the outer western edge of Polynesia

The ancestors of Tuvaluan people are believed to have arrived on the islands about 2000 years ago. Under the leadership of chiefs, known as ‘Aliki’, traditional Tuvaluan society continued for hundreds of years before it underwent significant changes with the arrival of European traders in the 1820s.

Even greater changes took places when the Samoan Pastor of the London Missionaries Society arrived in the 1860s. Tuvaluans soon embraced the new faith and virtually all of them are now Christians, mostly Protestants. Religion plays an important part in everyday life, although much of the previous culture and traditions are retained.

Tuvalu (then known as the Ellice Islands) first came under British jurisdiction in 1877. In 1892 Tuvalu became a colony. In 1975, following overwhelming support for separation in accordance to the referendum held the previous year, the country became an independent constitutional monarchy and the 38th member of the commonwealth on October 1, 1978.

Tuvalu is classified by the United Nations as one of the world’s peaceful least developed countries. Tuvalu has recently been accepted and elected as the 189th Member State of the United Nations for the New Millennium

The National Bank of Tuvalu (NBT) opens from 10:00am to 2:00pm on Mondays through to Thursdays and 9:00am to 1:00pm on Fridays. Tuvalu uses Australian currency. CREDIT CARD services are not available anywhere in Tuvalu so visitors are advised to travel with travellers cheques. Overseas payment amounts of over $2000 need exchange control approval.

Tuvalu has a pleasant tropical climate, usually with little variation day or night from about 30 degrees Celsius. Average rainfall varies considerably, but is usually more than 3000mm annually.

Comunication Services

International and local telephone services are available at the Telecommunications as well as access through the Internet.

Visitors over 18 years of age are each allowed duty-free on arrival a liter of spirit or wine and up to 200 rolls of cigarettes.

Departure Tax

AUD$30.00 per person

Dress is normally very casual. However, there is a sensitivity about the way women dress. Therefore wearing brief clothing such as swimming suits in villages is not advisable.

Emergency Services

A general Hospital exists on Funafuti, full medical and dental services are available.

There are several restaurants in Tuvalu offering a variety of local and foreign dishes.  A few also have licensed bars.

Local Economy

Import is high, as there is very little manufacturing on the island due to the island’s geographical components. A coral atoll with a soil of low agricultural productivity as a result of high salt water intrusion. Some marine resources and coconut products are exported but much of people’s income is derived from Seamen and scheme workers based in New Zealand through remittances sent to their families. In addition, the people fish and engage in agricultural activities for their daily use. Government revenue is mainly from fisheries resource.

Local Handicrafts

Tuvalu fans, mats, baskets, necklaces, woodcarvings and fishhooks are famous throughout the Pacific. These can be purchased at the Women’s Handicraft Center near the airport, from small handicraft stalls outside the airport and on each of the outer islands.

Language Spoken

Tuvaluan and English.

Tuvalu has a population of 9,561 people (2002 Census). Of this total population, 4,492 of reside on Funafuti, the Capital of Tuvalu.

Postal Service

Full international postal services are available. The Tuvalu Philatelic Bureau provides some of the most sought-after stamps in the world

Water Supply

There are no rivers or lakes. The Country relies on rainwater stored in tanks for its water supply so please use water sparingly.

The Fijian domestic carrier, Fiji Airways, operates between Suva and Funafuti three times a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays).

Air Kiribati provides a once a week service  linking the nations of Kiribati and Tuvalu. The service departs Tarawa at 12pm on Wednesday and arrives in Funafuti at 3pm it then departs at 4pm and arrives back in Tarawa at 7pm. The service uses Air Kiribati’s Dash 8 100 series aircraft which has the capacity to take up to 35 passengers each way.

Ticket prices start at $350 one way.

To book contact Air Kiribati at [email protected] or via phone at +686 75021108 or Air Kiribati’s GSA in Funafuti – Manu Travel Services via email at [email protected] or by phoning 20980 or 7006053 or 700 6054. 

Ground Transportation

• Cars, motorbikes, bicycles and motorboats available for hire.
• Minibuses also operate on week days.

However, it is not a large island so it is also easy to get around by foot, while enjoying a closer view to the village life and having a few brief conversations with the locals along the way.

Although internet is available, travellers to expect slow connection.

Where to Stay

• Afelita Island Resort ( [email protected] )
• Afelita B&B ( [email protected] )
• Fakasagi Lodge ( [email protected] )
• Funafala Guest House ( [email protected] )
• L’s Lodge ( [email protected] )
• Lanumoana Lodge ( [email protected] )
• Luta’s B&B (ph: 00 688 20794, mobile: 00 688 7003025)

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Travel Guide

Tuvalu, the submerged archipelago.

Tuvalu is an island nation and territory made up of nine atolls and coral islands. They lie in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean, between Hawaii and the Fiji Islands, absolutely isolated and almost abandoned. Indeed, the Tuvalu Islands are seriously threatened by rising sea levels. The tragic result of climate change, it is estimated that they will be submerged within 50 years if the world does not act. For the time being, the government’s grievances are not receiving the expected response, and the future looks set to be one of exile. In spite of the melancholy, the inhabitants are still smiling, and welcome the rare international visitors to their paradise on borrowed time.

About Tuvalu

Location: South Pacific Ocean

Area: 26 km²

Population: 11,800

• Main City: Funafuti

From Hawaii: 4,200 km, 15 hours

Airport: Funafuti

Why Visit Tuvalu

Here’s a trip to the end of the world in every sense of the word! Tuvalu is geographically isolated, more than a thousand kilometers from its nearest neighbors. Difficult to access, the nine islands and atolls are also hundreds of nautical miles apart. With limited natural resources and densely populated but small populations, the micro-nation lacks a tourism infrastructure that meets Western standards: archaic hotels, sparingly distributed water and the absence of organized tours.

As a result, international visitors are few and far between: just a few thousand a year! Completely off the beaten tourist track, Tuvalu is an intimate destination offering an extraordinary sense of discovery and authenticity. At sea level and with no elevation changes, visitors enjoy incredible natural landscapes, both colorful and deserted, at the slow pace of the island nation. In this land threatened with extinction, the journey becomes introspective.

The Essentials of Tuvalu

1. sharing the everyday life of tuvaluans.

Due to their isolation and limited means, the inhabitants of Tuvalu are unable to travel the world. So they welcome the rare visitors to their islands with curiosity and kindness. Contact is made all the easier by the fact that the village spirit still prevails: everyone knows each other and frequents the same places in Tuvalu. Immersion in local daily life is complete, and social barriers are quickly broken down.

The locals speak Tuvaluan, but most of them know English, making communication easy. Exchanges take place naturally at the turn of a traditional dance party, a meal or a church service. The absence of tour operators on site also favors spontaneous excursions in the company of your hosts at the guesthouse, a fisherman or a local you met the day before.

2. Funafuti Conservation Area

Tuvalu’s main aquatic protection zone is located on the western slope of Funafuti atoll. It comprises several motus, channels and a large part of the lagoon and coral reef. A 20-minute boat ride from the villages, this environmental laboratory has become a haven for many species, both marine and terrestrial. Green turtles, numerous fish and molluscs, preserved coral and a host of birds can all be observed on the islets. Beyond the reef, more imposing species such as reef sharks live peacefully in the ocean waters.

In this unique environment, the colors of the lagoon are fantastic, and underwater visibility makes for easy and enjoyable observation. In fact, the area is very popular for snorkeling and swimming. The white sandy beach of one of the motus also offers magnificent scenery. A day trip by pirogue in the company of a local is a must in Tuvalu.

3. Visit the Outer Islands

Tuvalu has nine islands and atolls: Funafuti, Nanumaga, Nanumea, Niulakita, Niutao, Nui, Niulakita, Nukufetau, Nukulaelae and Vaitupu. In the absence of airfields, ferry services are used for supplies and passenger transport. However, the fortnightly frequency of traffic means that any journey is potentially very long, if the return connection is not postponed or even cancelled. As a result, most of the few international visitors remain in Funafuti, the capital where over half of the country’s total population lives.

For romantic explorers who take the plunge, it’s an opportunity to experience an even more immersive journey in contact with the locals. Covered with motus for lagoon strolls and snorkeling, Nukufetau atoll promises total disconnection from the natural elements. Another destination of choice, the island of Vaitupu, is punctuated by a self-sufficient daily life. In any case, these are trips to be reserved for those in search of a tranquil retreat with no time constraints.

Tuvalu in a Nutshell

Tuvalu is a little-known and original destination for those wishing to discover life at the end of the world. In spite of the British influence, the Polynesian spirit prevails, resulting in beautiful encounters, dreamy landscapes and the feeling of living a unique experience. An atypical adventure, certainly, but also one imbued with a certain weariness in the face of the depletion of natural resources and the inexorable rise in sea levels. At the end of the world and the end of time: an island paradise on the brink of apocalypse?

Funafuti atoll can be visited in just two days. On the other hand, at least two weeks are needed to fully immerse yourself in the daily life of the inhabitants, and almost a month to visit one or two other islands in the archipelago. All that remains is to choose the best time to visit Tuvalu. This trip can be part of a wider Polynesia discovery program, including Hawaii, Fiji and New Zealand. Contact us for further information.

Good to Know

History: A former British colony, Tuvalu gained independence in 1978. Like Australia, they remain part of the Commonwealth, and the head of state is the de facto monarch of the United Kingdom.

Currency: The Australian dollar is the national currency. There are no ATMs in Tuvalu, and payments are made in cash only. The country’s only bank is on Funafuti.

Internet: In order to finance its infrastructure, electrify the islands and improve the education system, the government of Tuvalu has sold the extension of its .tv digital domain name to the highest bidder.

Unusual: Due to very little air traffic, the inhabitants of Funafuti have turned the runway of the international airport into a place for meetings and sports activities.

Explore Tuvalu

Check Out Our Practical Tips, Recommendations & Ideas For Your Stay!

Getting to Tuvalu: When and How!

Tuvalu and Climate Change: A Nation on Borrowed Time

Introducing Tuvalu

• About Tuvalu
• Images of Tuvalu
• History, language & culture
• Weather & geography
• Doing business & staying in touch

Plan your trip

Travel to tuvalu.

• Where to stay

While you’re there

• Things to see & do
• Shopping & nightlife
• Food & drink
• Getting around

Before you go

• Passport & visa
• Public Holidays
• Money & duty free

Book your flights

Flying to Tuvalu

Fiji Airways ( www.fijiairways.com ) flies twice a week from Suva (Fiji) to Funafuti.

Airport Guides

Funafuti international airport, flight times.

From Suva - 2 hours 35 minutes.

Departure tax

Travelling to tuvalu by rail, driving to tuvalu, getting to tuvalu by boat.

Shipping services operate from Fiji, Australia and New Zealand.

Cruise ships

Adventure cruises organised by tour operators also call from time to time.

Book a Hotel

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Travel Advisory August 9, 2023

Tuvalu - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued with updates to health information and Travel Advisory Level.

Exercise normal precautions in Tuvalu. 

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Tuvalu.

Commercial transportation to/from Tuvalu is sporadically available. 

If you decide to travel to Tuvalu:  

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.    
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter .  
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Tuvalu.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.    
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .     

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Embassies and Consulates

U.s. embassy suva.

158 Princes Rd, Tamavua Suva, Fiji Islands Telephone:  +(679) 331-4466 Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  +(679) 772-8049 Fax:  +(679) 330-2267 Email:  [email protected]

Destination Description

Learn about the U.S. relationship to countries around the world.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

 To enter Tuvalu, you will need:

• A passport with six month validity;
• Onward/return ticket;
• Proof of sufficient funds for your stay;
• Visitor permits valid for up to one month are issued for a fee of AUD $100.

For further information about entry requirements, you may contact:

Tuvalu Permanent Mission to the United Nations 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400 D New York, New York 10017 Phone: (212) 490-0534

For individuals planning to enter by sea: Tuvalu’s customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning importation or exportation of items such as agricultural products. Visit the  Tuvalu Permanent Mission to the United Nations  website for the most current visa information and customs restrictions. 

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Tuvalu.

Find information on travelers with dual nationality,  prevention of international child abduction  and  customs regulations  on our websites.

Safety and Security

Crime:  Tuvalu has a low crime rate. However, visitors should review their own personal security practices, be alert to any unusual activity around their homes or businesses and report any suspicious incidents to local police authorities.

Victims of Crime:

Report crimes to the local police at 911 and contact the U.S. Embassy at +679 331 4466, or after hours at +679 772 8049. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime.

See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• Help you find appropriate medical care
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion
• Provide a list of local attorneys
• Provide our information on  victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• Replace a stolen or lost passport

Tourism:  The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near Funafuti. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy for assistance.

For further information:

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP )   to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. 
• Call us in Washington at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department's travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution ,   Travel Advisories , and  Alerts .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook . 
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:  You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities, prior to practicing or operating a business.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our  webpage  for further information.

Currency:  The Australian dollar is the legal currency in Tuvalu. The Tuvalu National Bank accepts traveler’s checks and most major currencies, including U.S. dollars.

You should be prepared to pay cash for hotel bills and all other services, since credit card services are not available. There are no ATMs on Tuvalu, so it may not be possible to withdraw cash from overseas bank accounts.

Cyclone Season:  The official cyclone season is November through April. The  Fiji Meteorological Service  maintains a Tropical Cyclone Warning Center (TCWC) in Nadi serving the Southwest Pacific Region. General information about natural disaster preparedness is available at the  State Department’s website , as well as from the  U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA)  website.

Faith-Based Travelers:  See the following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report  – see country reports
• Human Rights Report  – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTQI+ Travelers:  Sexual conduct between males is illegal, with maximum penalties of seven to 14 years’ imprisonment. See   our  LGBTQI+ Travel Information   page and section 6 of our  Human Rights report  for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance.

Tuvalu prohibits discrimination on the basis of physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental disability. Supplementary state services to address the special needs of persons with disabilities are very limited.

There are no mandated building accessibility provisions for persons with disabilities. The only multi-story government building has elevators, but they are not always operational. There are no elevators in private multi-story buildings.

Students:  See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips.

Women Travelers:  See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

• Medical and dental care is very limited in Tuvalu.
• Serious medical problems are referred to health professionals and hospitals in Guam or Hawaii.
• Serious medical conditions requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals often expect payment “up front” prior to service or admission.

For emergency services in Tuvalu, dial 911 .

Ambulance services are:

• not widely available and training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards.
• not equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment.
• Injured or seriously ill travelers may prefer to take a taxi or private vehicle to the nearest major hospital rather than wait for an ambulance.

We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance overseas. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription.

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Air Quality: Visit AirNow Department of State for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of doctors and hospitals . We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

Health facilities in general:

• Public medical clinics lack basic resources and supplies.
• We strongly recommend supplemental insurance  to cover medical evacuation in the event of unforeseen medical complications.
• In many areas, tap water is not potable. Bottled water and beverages are generally safe, although you should be aware that many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless bottled water is specifically requested. Be aware that ice for drinks may be made using tap water.

General Health Language:

The following diseases and health concerns are prevalent:

• Tuberculosis
• Chikungunya
• Food safety
• Clean water

Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about Resources for Travelers regarding specific issues in Tuvalu.

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:  Traffic moves on the left in Tuvalu. The main roads on Funafuti are paved, but other roads on other islands are generally unpaved. Animals and pedestrians walking in the road make night driving on unlit secondary roads hazardous. For specific information concerning Tuvalu driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance, contact the  Tuvalu Permanent Mission to the United Nations.

Traffic Laws:   Driving while intoxicated is illegal and punishable by fine or imprisonment. Exercise caution, as traffic tends to move slowly.

Public Transportation:  The main forms of public transportation are taxis or motorcycles.

See our  Road Safety page  for more information.

Aviation Safety Oversight:   As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Tuvalu, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Tuvalu’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the    FAA’s safety assessment page.

Maritime Travel:  The U.S. Coast Guard has concerns about the security practices in the ports of Tuvalu. Until those concerns can be addressed, the Coast Guard advises that Mariners and passengers traveling through the ports of Tuvalu should exercise caution.

Mariners planning travel to Tuvalu should check for U.S. maritime  advisories  and  alerts . Information may also be posted to the  U.S. Coast Guard homeport  website, and the  NGA broadcast warnings website.

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .

For additional IPCA-related information, please see the  International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act (ICAPRA)  report.

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Check passport expiration dates carefully for all travelers! Children’s passports are issued for 5 years, adult passports for 10 years.

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It's Time to Find the Best Tuvalu Flight Offer

Whether you're seeking a flight to the country's capital of Funafuti, or would prefer to fly someplace more rural, you're guaranteed to find the ideal destination for your trip here on Expedia. We're all about helping you search for cheap flights to this country that won't drain your bank account. We understand you want to allocate more of your hard-earned cash toward exploring the sights and less on the cost of your flight to this fantastic region. And that's the reason we offer you with an incredible assortment of economical airline tickets, including both round-trip and one-way reservations, to guarantee your Tuvalu travel plans stay within your budget.

While on your vacation in Tuvalu, immerse yourself in the nearby culture by sampling regional menu items and enjoying the outdoor attractions. . No matter where in this country you decide to go, swing by the iconic landmarks on your vacation, and enjoy vistas of the most picturesque areas. It's easy to see why so many adventure seekers, history buffs, and travel addicts alike are attracted to this inviting locale.

Reserve Your Tuvalu Holiday Today

Expedia can save you time and money when arranging your tickets to the Tuvalu, so you can spend your time getting the most out of your trip and not fretting about busting your budget. We offer a variety of airlines, airports, and flight times, making it easy for you to purchase your airfare whether you're hunting for an overnight ticket or a flight to a particular airport. We even offer an intuitive mobile booking app, which allows you to book your trip from wherever it's most convenient for you.

If you have a rest from everyday agendas that has nearly arrived, now is an excellent time to take advantage of a flight to Tuvalu. prime your mouth for savory food and your smartphone for glorious landscapes - it's time to relax! Book your journey to Tuvalu this minute, and get ready to embark on an unbelievable getaway tomorrow. When it's time to finding flights to Tuvalu that match your price range and agenda, look no further than our options right here. Just type in your desired travel dates now to browse the best offers on airfare in Tuvalu.

Here at Expedia, we’re committed to helping you find cheap flights to Tuvalu that won’t break the bank. We know you want to put more of your hard-earned cash toward exploring the sites and less on the price of your airfare. That’s why we provide you with a vast selection of affordable plane tickets, including roundtrip and one-way reservations, to ensure your Australia - New Zealand and the South Pacific travel plans remain within your budget. Take advantage of our lowest rates on airfare and have leftover money to spare on your travel adventures.

When it comes to finding flights to Tuvalu that match your price range and itinerary, look no further than our options right here. We offer a variety of airlines, airports, and flight times making it easier for you to book your airfare. Whether you’re looking for a redeye ticket or a flight to a specific terminal, you’ll find exactly what you need. We also provide a hassle-free mobile booking app, which lets you reserve wherever and whenever is most convenient for you. Book your airfare to Tuvalu today and get ready to embark on an unforgettable getaway tomorrow.

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