Visit Tuvalu: planning a stay in Funafuti

The fourth smallest country in the world, Tuvalu fits onto nine low islands that rise only a few metres above the ocean. In Funafuti, the airstrip becomes a playground at the end of the day, and the protected lagoon offers deserted islets just a short boat ride away.

Why visit Tuvalu?

Tuvalu is a Polynesian archipelago of nine islands, atolls and reef islands, scattered across the South Pacific and home to about 11,000 people. Visitors come for the calm of Funafuti, its marine conservation area and the chance to meet a population facing rising sea levels in very concrete terms.

What to discover in Tuvalu?

Funafuti, the capital atoll

Fongafale, the main island of Funafuti, stretches for about twelve kilometres and is at most a few hundred metres wide, between lagoon and ocean. Everything is done on foot or by scooter, renting one being the most practical way to get around. In the late afternoon, when no plane is due, the airstrip becomes a football pitch, a volleyball court and a promenade. Two or three days are enough to see it all, between the philatelic bureau, community halls and sunset over the lagoon.

The lagoon conservation area

On the western side of the lagoon, the Funafuti Conservation Area protects a string of islets, reefs and seagrass beds frequented by green turtles, seabirds and reef fish. It is reached by a short boat crossing from Fongafale, with a local fisherman or through the conservation area office. Plan a full day and bring water, sun protection and snorkelling gear: there are no services at all on the islets.

The outer islands and regional combinations

The other eight islands, such as Nukufetau or Nanumea, are linked only by government ships whose rotations are measured in weeks and depend on the weather. A trip to the outer islands therefore calls for time and flexibility. Most visitors spend a few days in Funafuti and combine their stay with Fiji, the unavoidable gateway, or even with Samoa or Kiribati, which formed the former British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands with Tuvalu until 1975.

Cities to visit in Tuvalu

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Not to miss in Tuvalu

Four landmarks to grasp the essence of a tiny country entirely turned towards its lagoon.

Funafuti airstrip

The country's only runway turns into a sports ground and promenade in the evening when no flight is due, an iconic scene of local life.

Lagoon islets

Small sandy islets in the conservation area, fringed with palms and reefs, reached by boat for a day of snorkelling in near solitude.

Philatelic bureau

Tuvalu's stamps, issued for collectors around the world, remain a source of income for the country and an unusual souvenir to take home.

Wartime borrow pits

Dug during the Second World War to build the airstrip, these old borrow pits long scarred Fongafale before being largely filled in.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Funafuti's airstrip used as a playground?
On an island short of flat open space, the runway is the largest ground available. When no plane is due, residents and children use it for football, volleyball or simply to enjoy the cooler evening air. It is cleared before every arrival.
How do you get to Funafuti from Suva?
Fiji Airways links Nausori airport, near Suva, with Funafuti a few times a week, on a flight of about two and a half hours. Seats are limited: book early and plan a night in Suva on both the outbound and return journeys.
Can tourists visit Tuvalu's outer islands?
Yes, but only on government ships, whose departures are several weeks apart and sometimes postponed. Expect long days at sea, arrange a homestay in advance and stay very flexible about your return date.
Will Tuvalu disappear as sea levels rise?
The country's highest point is under five metres and king tides already flood parts of Fongafale. Tuvalu is running land reclamation projects and has signed the Falepili treaty with Australia, which opens a migration pathway for its citizens.
Does the .tv internet domain really earn Tuvalu money?
Yes, the .tv extension assigned to Tuvalu is leased to foreign operators and accounts for a significant share of government revenue, alongside fishing licences and stamps. This income has fed the national budget since the early 2000s.

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