Tuvalu

Travel guide of Tuvalu

Tuvalu is one of the smallest nations in the South Pacific and only 9 atolls and islands make up its land. Its smallness and peace, seclusion far from the modern world is what attracts visitors to arrive here. No big hotels or resorts, only small and more basic accommodations enhance the authenticity of Tuvalu experience. Pristine waters with variety of fish and coral invite for snorkeling and the tiny islets offer great setting for a picnic on a desert island. Tuvalu is not just about the romantic feeling, the country faces challenges of climate change and rising ocean level as the islands reach less than 4 metres / 13 feet above sea level. Thanks to its stamps Tuvalu is also a Philatelic treasure destination.

Useful information

Land, geography

• Tuvalu is one of the smallest and most secluded destinations in the world
• Tuvalu's islands have the photogenic face - small deserted islands with beautiful sandy beaches, greenery of palm trees and clear blue seas, wonderful contrast in color between the deep and the shallow waters
• Tuvalu is made up of only 6 atolls and 3 islands with total land area of just 9.5 square miles / 24 km²
• the islands are flat atolls rising only up to 13 feet / 3,9 meters above sea level
• the distance between northernmost Nanumea and southermost Funafuti atolls is approx 290 miles / 470 km

Climate & Weather

• Tuvalu has a pleasant tropical climate
• there are only little variations between day and night temperatures from about 86°F / 30°C with fresh sea breeze
• on some islands the rains occur more often between October and April, otherwise they occur evenly throughout the year and are an important source of drinkable water for Tuvalu
• the annual rainfall average is usually more than 3.000 mm

Government

• Funafuti is the capital of Tuvalu
• the islands were formerly known as Ellice Islands but not to get confused with the historical island in New York the country got renamed
• 'Tuvalu' means cluster of eight, although the nation comprises of total 9 islands

Time zone

• UTC/GMT -12 = Tuvalu is 12 hours ahead of Greenwich Time, same time zone as Fiji
• this means Tuvalu liest just west of the International dateline
• no daylight saving time

Currency, payments

• Tuvalu uses Australian currency - Australian Dollar (AUD)
• 1 EUR = approx 1,65 AUD / 1 USD = approx 1,40 AUD (2020)
• Tuvaluan coins go up to 5 dollars, otherwise all transactions are in Australian dollars

Fly to Tuvalu, airlines

• Funafuti International Airport in the capital of Tuvalu
• The Air Pacific operates between Suva (Fiji) and Funafuti twice a week, direct connection to Fiji is available with Air New Zealand, Quantas and Air Pacific from Los Angeles (2019)

Transport

• the best way to move around and explore the island is by motorbike and there are a couple of taxis too
• there are no domestic flights in Tuvalu, only 2 ships connect the islands, namely Nivaga II and Manufolau

Entry requirements

• visa is not required, but visitors have to present a passport valid for at least 6 more months and a valid return ticket
• we will inform you about updated entry requirements for visitors from your country together with our offer
• a departure tax of 30 AUD is required

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

• visitors above 18 years of age are free to bring 33 oz of spirit or wine and 200 cigarettes

Electricity

• 220-240V AC, 50Hz, Australian-style plugs
• adapters and transformers for different plugs and current are required

Internet, signal coverage

• Tuvalu has recently acquired satellite communications technology and international calls can be made from most of the islands
• there is mobile phone network in Tuvalu and also internet access
• postal service is available and Tuvalu disposes of some of the most sought-after stamps by philatelics around the world

Population

• out of total about 10.000 inhabitants approx. 4.000 people live in the capital Funafuti
• about 4.000 people have already been moved to New Zealand as a response to the rising ocean level in past years

Language

• the 2 dominant languages of the country are Tuvalu and English
• 3 linguistic areas in the country
• most people in Tuvalu speak English

Religion

• on Tuvalu visitors can find various Christian denominations and there is also a Mosque in Funafuti

Health

• Tuvalu has no special health requirements for visitors
• there is a hospital in Funafuti, full medical and dental services

Tipping

• tipping is not required in Tuvalu

Dress

• very casual dress code
• wearing swimming suits and brief summer wear in the villages is not advised, especially for women

Nature

• the small uninhabited atoll islets surrounding Tuvalu's lagoons attract visitors
• the natural flora of Tuvalu comprises of only a restricted number of species - pandanus and salt-tolerant ferns predominating
• the few areas of atoll scrub provide nesting habitat for birds and mangrove areas, which are being planted around the atolls for protection are also an important natural habitat
• Funafuti Conservation Area covers 13 square miles / 33 km² of land and water area on the western side of Funafuti atoll. This includes coral reef, lagoon, channel and ocean inhabited by colorful fish and 6 tiny islets which are home to coconut crabs, nesting seabirds and green turtles.

Ecology

• Tuvalu is facing the challenges of climate change on the Earth - as all of Tuvalu's land is rising up to not even 4 meters above sea level
• the issue is not only water level threatening to cover all the islands' land but even before this happens the salination of the land makes it difficult to grow crops
• Mangrove Planting is an interesting project in Nanumea atoll where the women of The Tuvalu National Council of Women are planting mangroves around the atoll in order to prevent land erosion and protect the islands from severe weather and rising ocean level; a 1 kilometer strech of coastline is to be platned in the main village area of Nanumea
• the people of Tuvalu are also preparing for potential emigration from their homeland
• there are no fresh water resources on the islands and Tuvalu relies on the water gained from rains, stored in big tanks - they ask tourists to use water wisely (how about seawater desalination?)
• fishing, hunting and collecting animals and marine plants by visitors in Tuvalu is prohibited

Culture & Traditions

• Tuvaluans maintain their Polynesian culture, arts, crafts, architecture, music, dance, legends and social organization
• falekaupule - dance event at one of the local meeting houses, a must see when in Tuvalu

History

• Tuvaluans' ancestors are believed to have arrived some 2000 years ago
• the society was ruled by Aliki, local chiefs, for hundreds of years before the Europeans arrived in the 1820s
• Samoan Pastor of the London Missionaries Society came to Tuvalu in 1860s and turned almost all the population to Christianity, still much of the native culture has been retained
• Tuvalu came under British jurisdiction in 1877 and became a British colony in 1892
• in 1975 following a referendum held the previous year, the country gained its independence
• Tuvalu is now one of the least developed countried in the world and the 189th Member State of the United Nations

Excursions / must see

• picknicking, sightseeing and swimming in the conservation area of tiny islands, enjoying the solitude and smallnest of Tuvalu is its top attraction
• Funafuti Conservation Area - 5 islets of Funafuti atoll on its western side, all uninhabited and protected
• David's Drill - scientists from the Royal Society of London conducted experimental drilling in the late 1800s to test Charles Darwin's theory of atoll formation who stated that all atolls are of volcanic origin; the drill reached 928 feet / 282 meters but did not find a volcanic rock and nor did the other attempt. Modern scientists, however, proved that Darwin was correct in this theory. The boreholes are still visible in Fongafale village.
• Remains of World War II - many American troops had a land base on Tuvalu islands. Funafuti was the main base but remains of war and aircraft are visible in different places. The northernmost island Nanumea has an old runway and remains of war planes in the scrub; a wreck of a landing plane can be observed on the reef near the village.
• Church in Nanumea - with a pointed German-style tower it is among the tallest in the South Pacific
• 'Selfie-spot' in Fongafale, northern side of Funafuti where the road is getting thinner thanks to land erosion caused by rising sea level

Sports, activities

• Snorkeling at Funafuti is amazing thanks to American troops who during the WWII blasted several huge ocean side pits to obtain building material. At low tide thousands of fish get trapped in these huge pools and can be observed closely until the high tide.
• Te Ano is a traditional game in Tuvalu where 2 teams line up facing each other, a member of one team throwing a small heavy ball towards the other team who must hit it back with their hands. If the opposite team lets the ball fall, the other team scores. The team who gains 10 points as the first wins. The winning team then sings a fatele and dances, the loosing team sits and watches the winning team.

Diving

• Tuvalu has nice diving sites and rich underwater world with the islands being made of coral reefs
• nevertheless there are no dive shops or operators in Tuvalu - only the hotels or guest houses will assist visitors with diving services
• snorkeling, however, is a popular activity in Tuvalu, Funafuti being the prefered location

Shopping, souvenirs

• the most sought-after items to be purchased in Tuvalu are its postal stamps depicting all aspects of island life since 1975 already
• The Tuvalu Philatelic Bureau located at the southern end of Funafuti displays and sells these collector items
• among the traditional crafts valued as souvenirs are fans, mats, baskets, necklaces, woodcarvings and fishhooks
• the craftworks can be purchased at the Women's Handicraft Center, at the airport and on each of the outer islands

Food, cuisine

• Tuvaluans eat mostly fish
• in the hotel and guesthouses of Tuvalu visitors can enjoy tasty seafood meals at reasonable prices
• The Vaiaku Lagi Hotel and Plantation Restaurant have fully licenced bar and dining facilities relying mostly on fish and local foods
• Hideaway Guesthouse provides picnic lunches or served lunches as well

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

Events

• falekaupule - dance event at one of the local meeting houses (Maneapa), a must see when in Tuvalu

Accommodation

• there is only one hotel in Funafuti, a lodge and several guest houses
• the other islands offer accommodations only in guest houses and through homestays programs