Learn about sea-level rise at Tuvalu's climate monitoring sites
As one of the world's most climate-vulnerable nations, Tuvalu's tide gauges and adaptation projects offer a sobering, firsthand look at a genuinely urgent global issue.
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Pacific Islands
Things to do in Tuvalu
The world's fourth-smallest country, a nation whose highest point sits barely above sea level, and the source of the surprisingly lucrative '.tv' internet domain.
Explore Tuvalu on the map →Budget$$
Best for4-6 days
CapitalFunafuti
VisaVisa on arrival available for up to 30 days for US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian passport holders.
CurrencyAustralian dollar (AUD) and Tuvaluan dollar
LanguagesTuvaluan and English (both official)
InternetVery limited nationwide
Typical lodging$45–$115/night
Driving sideLeft
Power & voltage230–240V / 50Hz (Type I plug. Confirm locally)
Time zoneUTC+12
Emergency numberConfirm with your accommodation on arrival.
Dialing code+688
★★★★★ Beaches★★★★★ Culture★★★★★ Photography
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Bottled water recommended on smaller islands. Not customary.
Tuvalu's highest point is only about 4.6 metres above sea level, making it one of the most climate-vulnerable nations on Earth and a country whose long-term survival is directly tied to global efforts to limit sea-level rise, a reality that shapes nearly every aspect of national life and identity. Tuvalu's internet country-code domain '.tv' has become a genuinely significant and unexpected source of national revenue, licensed to media and streaming companies worldwide and generating income that rivals other major sectors of the tiny economy.
When to go
Dry seasonMay–October
The most comfortable window, with lower rainfall and calmer seas for inter-island travel.
Wet seasonNovember–April
Warmer and more humid with regular rain, including the Pacific cyclone risk window.
Peak king tide seasonFebruary–March
Seasonal king tides are especially pronounced during this window, a striking and sobering illustration of the country's low elevation.
Transition periodsApril–May, October–November
Shoulder months balancing decent weather with fewer logistical complications between the two main seasons.
20 things to do
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Culture & history
9Visit the WWII airstrip and relics on Funafuti
Funafuti served as a US airbase during WWII, and wartime relics including a coral-block runway remain visible on the atoll today.
Watch a traditional Tuvaluan fatele dance performance
Fatele, a traditional dance and drumming performance, remains a genuine and actively practiced centerpiece of Tuvaluan community celebrations.
Visit a traditional Tuvaluan community meeting (falekaupule)
Traditional community assembly halls remain the center of village governance and social life across Tuvalu's islands.
Learn traditional Tuvaluan weaving and handicrafts
Pandanus-leaf weaving remains a genuine and actively practiced traditional craft, with local cooperatives offering demonstrations and goods for sale.
Visit the Tuvalu Philatelic Bureau
Tuvalu has a surprisingly notable history of colorful commemorative stamp production, a small but genuine niche collector's attraction.
Explore Funafuti's main village of Vaiaku
Tuvalu's small capital area offers a genuine, unhurried look at everyday atoll life, government buildings, and the country's only real commercial hub.
Learn about Tuvalu's '.tv' domain success story
Tuvalu's internet country-code domain has become an unexpectedly significant source of national revenue, a genuinely unusual modern economic story.
Visit a Sunday church service on Funafuti
Christianity is central to Tuvaluan community life, and Sunday services (when the whole island largely pauses) offer a genuine window into local social rhythm.
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Adventure & outdoors
2Snorkel the reefs of Funafuti Conservation Area
A protected marine area covering much of Funafuti's lagoon, offering Tuvalu's healthiest coral reef and most accessible snorkeling.
Snorkel the reef at Tepuka islet
A small, scenic islet within Funafuti's conservation area, offering some of the atoll's clearest water and least-disturbed coral.
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Food & drink
5Eat Tuvaluan coconut fish and pulaka dishes
Fresh reef fish and pulaka, a swamp taro variety, form the backbone of traditional Tuvaluan cuisine on the atolls.
Try Tuvaluan pulaka, a giant swamp taro staple
A giant taro variety grown in specially dug pits, considered Tuvalu's most important traditional starch crop and a genuine dietary staple.
Try Tuvaluan coconut toddy (kaleve)
A traditionally tapped coconut sap drink, consumed fresh or fermented, a genuine everyday tradition across the islands.
Try Tuvaluan fish ceviche-style preparations (fish kokoda)
Raw fish marinated in coconut cream and lime, a dish shared with the wider Pacific region but reflecting Tuvalu's own local preparation style.
Try Tuvaluan pandanus fruit and preserves
Pandanus fruit, prepared and preserved in various traditional ways, is a genuine staple crop across Tuvalu's low-lying atolls.
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Beaches
1Relax on the beaches of Funafuti's outer islets (motu)
Small uninhabited islets scattered around Funafuti's lagoon offer secluded beach time reachable by short boat trips from the main settlement.
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Wildlife
1Snorkel with reef sharks in Funafuti's lagoon
Tuvalu's protected lagoon waters support healthy reef shark populations, offering a rewarding and relatively undisturbed wildlife encounter.
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Nature & scenery
2Watch the king tides at Funafuti's narrowest point
Seasonal king tides visibly flood parts of the atoll, offering a striking and sobering illustration of Tuvalu's extremely low elevation.
Stargaze on Funafuti's outer motu islets
Minimal light pollution across Tuvalu's scattered islets makes for exceptional stargazing away from the small main settlement.
Common questions
▾Do I need a visa for Tuvalu?
US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian passport holders can get a visa on arrival, allowing stays up to 30 days.
▾How do I get to Tuvalu?
Tuvalu is served by limited flights, typically routed through Fiji, so it's worth checking current schedules well ahead given the country's remote position and infrequent air links.
▾Why is Tuvalu so vulnerable to climate change?
Its highest point is only about 4.6 metres above sea level, making it one of the most climate-vulnerable nations on Earth, a reality that directly shapes national policy and daily life.
▾What is the '.tv' domain connection?
Tuvalu's internet country-code domain '.tv' has become a genuinely significant source of national revenue, licensed to media and streaming companies worldwide.
▾How many days does Tuvalu need?
4-6 days is a reasonable window given the country's tiny size and limited flight schedule: most visitors focus on Funafuti, the main atoll, rather than attempting to reach the more remote outer islands.
▾Is there much to see (and pay for) in Tuvalu?
Tuvalu has minimal formal tourist infrastructure and essentially no paid attractions: most of what draws visitors, like walking the length of Funafuti's main atoll or watching planes land on the runway that doubles as the town square, is free. It's one of the world's least-visited countries, so plan for a low-key, largely unstructured visit rather than a ticketed itinerary.