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Tuvalu travel guide
Tiny coral atolls and a calm lagoon far from the crowds.
Tuvalu is one of the smallest and least-visited countries on Earth, made up of nine low coral atolls and reef islands. Life centres on Funafuti, where the lagoon, the airstrip and village life all sit close together.
Travel tools
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.
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/Tarawa. 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.
Source and more: Tuvalu travel facts on RoamSun
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.
Source: RoamSun Tuvalu page · Browse hotel guides
Connect
Plug types: I. Voltage: 220 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.
Calling code: +688.
Mobile data: read the travel eSIM setup guide before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.
Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun
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.
Source: full Tuvalu guide on RoamSun
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
Source: RoamSun Tuvalu guide
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.
Source: RoamSun Tuvalu facts
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Tuvalu?
May–Oct – drier weather with less chance of storms. Hot and humid all year, with a wetter season from November to April.
What time zone is Tuvalu in?
Tuvalu uses Pacific/Tarawa.
Do I need a visa for Tuvalu?
It depends on your passport. In our dataset 198 of 198 other passports can enter without a prior visa, 0 need an e-visa or eTA and 0 need a visa in advance. Use the visa checker and confirm with the official government source.
What plug and voltage does Tuvalu use?
Tuvalu uses plug type I at 220 V. Check whether your devices are dual-voltage before you plug in.
What is the calling code for Tuvalu?
The international calling code for Tuvalu is +688.
Do you tip in Tuvalu?
Not customary..
What is the emergency number in Tuvalu?
911 police · 999 ambulance.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Tuvalu?
Traffic drives on the left.