Tuvalu

Get in

thumb|Tuvaluan kids watching an incoming airplane at Funafuti International Airport Citizens of Schengen Area countries do not need a visa.

Everyone else is eligible for a one-month visa on arrival. This is free for citizens of: American Samoa, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Belize, Cayman Islands, Cook Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Gibraltar, Grenada, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Montserrat, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, South Korea, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom, Vanuatu and Zambia. For everybody else, the visa costs A$100.

Get around

Getting around Tuvalu is simple but requires a relaxed, flexible mindset. Most movement happens on Funafuti, where the main islet, Fongafale, is long and narrow, making it easy to explore by motorbike, bicycle, or on foot. Scooters and bikes are widely rented by guesthouses, and the single main road runs the length of the islet, passing villages, shops, and the airport runway. Traffic is light, and distances are short, so getting around feels easy and informal.

Travel between the outer islands is done by boat, as there are no domestic flights. Government‑run ferries and cargo vessels make scheduled trips several times a week, though timetables can shift depending on weather and operational needs. Journeys can take several hours to more than a day, depending on the destination. While basic, these inter‑island boats are an essential part of Tuvaluan life and offer a memorable way to experience the country’s seafaring culture.

On the outer islands, transport is minimal and wonderfully simple. Most people walk or cycle along sandy paths shaded by coconut palms, and distances between villages are short. With no crowds, no rush, and no complex transport networks, getting around Tuvalu is as much about embracing the slow pace of island life as it is about reaching your destination.

See

thumb|Traditional canoe carving Tuvalu is not a destination for those in search of spectacular sightseeing opportunities. The island nation is not only small, it also lacks any city-like destination or architectural heritage. There are no hills or mountain ranges, no rivers or gorges. But it will provide travellers an experience unlike others.

The Funafuti Conservation Area on the western side of the Funafuti atoll has some of the best natural sights, and includes reefs, the gorgeous lagoon, channel, parts of the ocean and island habitats. Its diversity in marine life makes it an excellent place for scuba diving or snorkelling.

The massive stationing of US troops in the Second World War left the island nation with a number of wartime remains, including airstrips, bunkers and plane wrecks along the main island of Fongafale and near the village of Nanumea. The tiny island of Motulalo in Nukufetau has an airstrip too, as well as some plane wrecks. If you have any interest in postal stamps, the Philatelic Bureau on Funafuti is a must-see. The Tuvalu Women's Handicraft Centre at the airport is a good place to see and buy local crafts. If you have time however, try catching a boat to one of the outer islands and admire the local people's skills in making ornaments, fans, mats, baskets or woodcarvings there.

Do

The national game is te ano (the ball). Two teams line up facing each other hitting a ball. The objective is to keep the ball in the air as long as possible. It is similar to volleyball.

Traditional dancing is performed on special occasions, and the local "maneapa" (the town hall) is your best chance of experiencing one.

Eat

There are many lodges that have restaurants that serve food and beverages. They serve many cuisines such as Chinese, Italian, and Indian. Fish is abundant given its location.

Drink

Bars serve soft drinks and alcohol during meal times.

Stay safe

A siren signals when to leave the runway for an approaching plane.

Violent crime is rare, and usually involves alcohol and family disputes. In fact, Tuvalu is believed to be a country with one of the lowest crime rates in the world. In 2025, there were only two inmates in the nation's only prison.

Male homosexuality is illegal in Tuvalu, though the law is rarely enforced.

Stay healthy

Tap water quality is inconsistent at best; it's often collected from rooftops. Don't drink it without boiling or treating.

Connect

Tuvalu uses the Australia/New Zealand electrical plug with 240 volts and 50 Hz.

The international dialing code is: +688

Local numbers in Tuvalu have 5 digits, with the first 2 representing the islands as follows: Funafuti: 20, 21 Nanumaga: 27 Nanumea: 26 Niulakita: 22 Niutao: 28 Nui: 23 Nukufetau: 24 Nukulaelae: 25 Vaitupu: 29

There is available a GSM network in 900 MHz, provided by Tuvalu Telecom, with ID: 553-01.