Tuvalu travel guide

Getting there

Funafuti International Airport is the only international gateway, with flights from Fiji. Cargo-passenger ships occasionally sail from Fiji, but there are no land borders.

Best time to visit: May–Oct – drier weather with less chance of storms.

Flights: see the cheapest month to fly from your nearest airport.

Tougher months: December to March – the wetter season brings heavier rain, higher humidity and the possibility of tropical cyclones.

Weather by month in Funafuti

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Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).

Time zone: Pacific/Funafuti. Compare with your local time.

Visas: in our passport dataset, 198 of 198 other passports can enter Tuvalu without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 0 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 0 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.

Background: Visa policy of Tuvalu (Wikipedia).

Official advisory: Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (U.S. Department of State, updated 2024-12-02). Read the advisory.

Stay

Most trips to Tuvalu are based around Funafuti, Funafuti Conservation Area or Fongafale. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.

Typical daily budget: about US$70–110 for a backpacker and US$130–200 mid-range, per person.

Connect

Plug types: I. Voltage: 220 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.

Calling code: +688.

Mobile data: set up a travel eSIM or check your roaming plan before you fly, so data works as soon as you land.

Do

• Funafuti (Capital atoll · lagoon life): The main atoll and home of the capital, with a huge lagoon, the airport and most guesthouses.
• Funafuti Conservation Area (Funafuti · marine reserve): A protected stretch of reef, lagoon and islets that offers the country's best snorkelling and birdlife.
• Fongafale (Funafuti · main islet): The narrow strip where government buildings, markets and village life are concentrated.
• Nanumea (Northern atoll · culture): A remote outer atoll with a striking historic church, wartime remains and traditional village life.
• Nukufetau (Central atoll · lagoon): A quiet atoll with a broad lagoon and WWII airfield history, reached by the inter-island ship.
• Vaitupu (Central island · villages): One of the largest islands, known for its historic secondary school and strong community traditions.

Things to do

• Explore the Funafuti Conservation Area. Take a boat across the turquoise lagoon to uninhabited islets ringed with white sand, coral and nesting seabirds.
• Snorkel the lagoon. Float above coral heads and tropical fish in the calm, crystal-clear waters of Funafuti's lagoon.
• Watch a fatele dance. Join a community gathering in a maneapa where singing and drumming build to a thrilling, joyful crescendo.
• Stroll the runway at sunset. When no planes are due, the airstrip becomes the island's playground for football, volleyball and evening walks.
• Cycle or scooter around Fongafale. Rent a bike or scooter and ride the length of the narrow main islet, with ocean on one side and lagoon on the other.
• See WWII relics. Look for aircraft remains and wartime sites left behind from the Pacific campaign.
• Visit the Tuvalu Philatelic Bureau. Browse the colourful stamps that have long been one of the country's best-known exports.
• Taste island cooking. Try fresh reef fish, coconut crab, breadfruit and pulaka cooked the traditional way.

Eat and drink

• Pulaka – giant swamp taro, a staple food
• Fresh tuna – grilled or eaten raw
• Breadfruit – baked or boiled
• Kaleve – sweet coconut sap drink

Money and safety

Currency: Australian dollar (AUD). Currency and plug checker.

Tipping: Not customary..

Emergency numbers: 911 police · 999 ambulance.

• Tuvalu uses the Australian dollar, along with locally issued Tuvaluan coins.
• Card acceptance is very limited and ATMs may be unreliable or unavailable, so bring enough cash for your whole stay.
• Tuvalu has very low crime, but take normal care of your belongings.
• Use strong sun protection and drink plenty of water, as the equatorial sun is intense.