Niue

Travel guide of Niue

One of the world's smallest island nations with no industry, preserved nature, starry skies and clear ocean waters. Niue is a large coral atoll and has a unique coast with rocky terrain, coves, cliffs and caves. The country invites visitors with great sea activities, snorkeling, diving, fishing and even a highlight - swimming with humpback whales which is possible at only a few places on our planet.

Useful information

Land, geography

• a land area of only 99 square miles / 160 km² makes Niue one of the smallest island nations in the world while at the same time it is one of the world's largest coral islands
• Niue is a tiny coral atoll with a hight rising up to only 197 feet / 6 metres, comprised of only coralline limestone and marble
• the oval shape of the island has a diameter of only 18 km / 11 miles
• the island is characteristic with rugged and rocky terrain, a coastline of steep cliffs, caves and blowholes while inland area is a flat plateau
• Niue is set in the South Pacific, approx 430 km / 270 miles east of Tonga and 500 km / 310 miles south of Samoa

Climate & Weather

• Niue has tropical climate
• average daytime temperature is 80°F / 20-28°C from May to October (winter time) and 86°F / 22-30°C from November to April (summer time)
• Niue's medium humidity reaches up to 88%
• it is warm during the day and the temperatures drop pleasantly at night all year round

Travel season

• if you wish to encounter humpback whales the season to travel to Niue is June to October

Government

• the capital of Niue is Alofi with only approx 1.000 inhabitants
• Niue is one of the smallest self-governing states in the world
• the island rules in free association with New Zealand, has a Premier and a parliament with 20 seats

Time zone

• UTC/GMT -11
• no daylight saving time

Currency, payments

• New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
• most businesses accept NZ debit cards, MasterCard and Visa cards
• there is no ATM on the island, money can be withdrawn from Kiwibank in Alofi and it accepts also only NZ debit cards, MasterCard and Visa cards

Fly to Niue, airlines

• weekly flights from Auckland, NZ by Air New Zealand (2019)
• connection to Auckland possible from the US with American Airlines / Quantas Airlines, United Airlines / Air New Zealand, Air Tahiti (as of 2019)

Transport

• no public transportation system
• car, motorbike and bicycle rentals are available
• transfers between accommodations and the airport can be arranged

Entry requirements

• visa is not required but a passport valid for 3+ months and a valid return ticket is necessary
• departure fee of 34 NZD per person starting from 12 years is payable at the airport
• we will inform you about updated entry requirements for visitors from your country together with our offer

Travelling since 2020

• Travel world changed in 2020 with the worldwide lockdown. Travel conditions are still being updated, airlines releasing new schedules, hotels and destinations applying new arrangements where necessary. As it is hardly possible to keep all relevant information on our websites up to date, we will inform you about current situation at the time of your request and of your journey.
• If the destination you choose is not yet accessible for travellers from your country, we will recommend a similar available option.

Duty Free

• Duty Free items per 18+ years person arriving in Niue: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, 3 bottles of spirits not exceeding 100 oz
• Duty Free beer bottles from Apia, Samoa are not allowed

Electricity

• 240 volts, 10 amp, 3 pin plus - same aj New Zealand
• it is recommended to bring an adaptor

Internet, signal coverage

• free countrywide WiFi coverage in available in Niue, thanks to the Internet User Society Niue
• phone and cell phone service is provided by Telecom Niue
• postal service, own ZIP code obtained only a few years ago

Population

• only approx 1.600 people inhabit the island, half of them living in the capital Alofi on the west coast of the island
• the rest of inhabitants live in small villages located nearby the main road encircling the island, mostly on the western coast
• majority of Niue's population is Polynesian
• in contrast with the other surrounding nations Niue never adopted the Polynesian hierarchies of chiefs and priests, however they rely on family bounds and clan-based units

Language

• Niuean and English are widely spoken in Niue
• practical words and phrases to learn in Niuean:
• Fakaalofa lahi atu = hello or greetings
• Fakaaue = thank you
• Fakamolemole = please
• Kai = eat
• Inu = drink
• Kia monuina = good luck

Religion

• Christianity, brought here by the London Missionary Society in 1846
• Niuean people are very religious and attend church service on Sundays
• Sunday is a day of rest in Niue
• Niue has a variety of denominations including Protestant Niue Ekalesia Church, the Latter Day Saints, the Catholic Church and others
• visitors are welcome to join Sunday service

Health

• brand new hospital in Alofi
• no vaccinations are required to stay in Niue
• precaution is recommended with the corals, pack an antiseptic cream for cuts

Tipping

• tipping is not expected, but appreciated

Dress

• wearing swimwear in villages and towns is not acceptable in Niue, but it is easy to purchase a paleu (sarong) and put it over the swimwear, just as the locals do
• a light rain jacket and a sweater for the evening is worth bringing all year round

Nature

• the coastline is ragged and rocky, but there are also little sandy coves
• the longest sandy beach is Avatele Beach
• almost 1/4 of the island land is a tropical rainforest with with flora and bird life
• Huvalu Forest Conservation Area - covering 20% of Niue's land, virgin tropical rainforest, traditionally managed by local villagers, protecting the wildlife and traditional plants
• one of the highlights of Huvalu is the Togo Chasm, a small sand enclave with lush palm trees sheltered by unique rock formations
• spectacular fauna and flora of Niue includes butterflies, bougainvillea, frangipani, hibiscus and orchids all over the place, ferns and rhododendron sheltering a variety of bird life including weka, swamp kens, parakeets and white tailed terns, not to miss the large fruit-eating bats
• diversity of marine life including turtles, dolphins, whales, corals, sea snakes and all kinds of fish

Ecology

• Niue has practically no industry
• watch the amazing starry skies in Niue!

Culture & Traditions

• many restaurants accompany evening meals with traditional dance nights fiafia
• each of Niue's 14 villages hosts a show-day every year to feature local cooking, crafts, sports and cultural skills

History

• historians believe that Niue was first settled more than 1.000 years ago by Tongans and Samoans and migrants from the Cook Islands
• Captain James Cook discovered the island for Europeans by sight in 1744, but never actually landed
• significant european arrival was in 1846 when London Missionary Society arrived at Niue
• Niue was briefly a protectorate of the United Kingdom, then in 1901 Britain annexed Niue to New Zealand
• New Zealand returned sovereignty to Niue in 1974

Excursions / must see

• Visitor Information Centre in Alofi has a presentation of local artifacts and offers an insight into Niues history and culture
• Opaahi Landing in Alofi - one of the landing spots for traditional canoes, the place where Captain James Cook attempted to land at Niue unsuccessfully

Caves

• Niue has a unique cave system that is a must see while on the island
• rainwater runs quickly through the island's limestone into the sea, creating caverns, caves and cathedrals; it is thanks to this that the waters around the island are so clear and the visibility so great
• Avaiki Cave, named after a legendary Polynesian homeland as the first settlers arrived here, is a narrow gorge that leads to a coastal cavern with a beautiful natural pool
• Palaha Cave is a showcase of stalagmites and stalactites
• some scientists believe that the cave system in Niue is the most extensive in South Pacific

Humpback Whales in Niue

• the best time to meet these amazing mammals is June to October and the best place of the island is the bay of Avatele and Tamakautoga
• a humpback whale usually has a size of about 40-50 ft / 12-15 meters and a weight of approx 36 tons
• female whales are larger than males and are often accompanied with their youngs
• these whales are famous for their breaching (leaping out of the water), unusually long front fins and their amazing complex whale songs
• Niue is one of just like 3 places in the world where it is actually possible to swim with humpback whales; it is only possible to go swimming with whales with certified providers of this service

Sports, activities

• Niue is a popular destination for water sports - especially swimming, snorkeling, diving
• an experience unique in the world and available at only a few places on the planet is swimming with humpback whales. This is possible in Niue from June to October when the whales migrate through the waters just a stone throw from Niue's shores
• the best place to meet whales are the bays of Avatele and Tamakautoga
• it is only possible to go swimming with whales with certified providers from the island
• it is also possible to swim with doplhins in Niue
• the island with wild ragged coastline offers wonderfuô spots like Limu Pools and Matapa Chasm which are so beautiful that they used to be reserved for Niuean Kings exclusively
• fishing is also popular in Niue - game fishing is possible just nearby the shores thanks to the steep limestone cliffs
• several local operators run established charters for tourists interested in fishing
• hiking in the forest and over the coastal grounds is popular and relaxing
• Niue also has a 9-hole golf course

Diving

• Niue is one of the best diving destinations in the world - clear waters (amongst the clearest in the world) with visibility up to 260 feet / 80 metres
• unique underwater landscape provides diversity of marine life including turtles, dolphins, whales, corals, sea snakes and all kinds of fish

Biking / Cycling

• biking is a popular way of transportation over the island
• there is very little traffic and the highest point of the island is only 226 feet / 68 metres above sea level
• a sealed ring road around the island is 64 km / 40 miles long, goes also through forests and offers wonderful views over the coast
• bicycles can be hired from car rental companies, some hotels and motels provide them for clients too

Shopping, souvenirs

• the most popular souvenirs from Niue are traditional woven hats, mats, bags and baskets, hand made from pandanus leaves; local women are proud of their skills and Niue's weaving is considered among the finest in the Pacific
• best place to obtain some of these traditional pieces of art is at an annual village show-day festival
• each of Niue's 14 villages hosts a show-day every year to feature local cooking, crafts, sports and cultural skills

Food, cuisine

• restaurants in Niue offer Polynesian and European cuisine
• traditional local cuisine includes coconuts, uga, taro, talo, breadfruit, cassava, crab and shellfush
• locals take great care of the quality of their food products
• the annual village showdays offer a great opportunity to taste various local foods which include traditional cooking in umu, a large ground oven where pigs and chicken are prepared together with vegetables, game, fish and fruit
• many restaurants accompany evening meals with traditional dance nights fiafia

Special tourism

Accessible Tourism

• for visitors facing any challenges or disabilities we are ready to provide the best available options of transport, accommodation and services following their individual requirements
• let us know your special needs, we are happy to assist in creating a great holiday package fit for you

Wedding and Honeymoon

• Niue is becomming a popular wedding destination, mostly for New Zealanders

Events

• show-day festival 14 times a year - each of Niue's villages arranges an event to feature local cooking, crafts, sports and cultural skills

Accommodation

• there are mostly smaller accommodation facilities in Niue including one resort / hotel, some motels and guesthouses as well as self catering apartments and villas
• booking well in advance is advised