Nauru
At 21 square kilometres, Nauru is the world's smallest island nation and one of its least-visited countries. A 19 km ring road circles the coast past Anibare Bay's sand and reef, while the interior plateau, Topside, is a lunar field of limestone pinnacles left by a century of phosphate mining. Come for the oddity and the WWII relics rather than resort comforts.
Overview
Nauru is a single raised coral island just south of the equator, home to about 12,000 people and no towns as such, only 14 districts strung around a narrow coastal belt. Phosphate made it one of the world's richest countries per head in the 1970s, but strip-mining left around four-fifths of the island an uninhabitable plateau of limestone pinnacles. A visit usually lasts two to four days, shaped by the flight schedule: drive or cycle the ring road, climb to Command Ridge's Japanese guns, swim at Anibare Bay or the boat harbours, and look around Buada Lagoon and the old mining lands.
There is almost no tourism industry, which is both the appeal and the challenge. Accommodation is limited to a couple of hotels and a few guesthouses, eating out means Chinese-run cafés and hotel restaurants, and nearly everything is imported, so prices are high. The economy now leans heavily on Australia's offshore processing arrangements and on fishing licences, and visitors may sense the island's complicated politics. People are friendly and curious about outsiders, and the pace is slow. It suits country collectors, Pacific enthusiasts and anyone interested in what happens to a place after its main resource runs out.
Map of Nauru
Top 5 highlights
- 1History
Command Ridge
The island's highest point holds rusting Japanese guns and a concrete command post from the 1942–45 occupation. The view takes in almost the whole island, from Topside's pinnacles to the reef and ocean beyond.
- 2Beach
Anibare Bay
Nauru's finest stretch of white sand curves along the east coast, backed by palms and studded with coral pinnacles. Currents beyond the reef can be dangerous, so ask locals and swim in the sheltered boat harbour.
- 3Nature
Buada Lagoon
A landlocked, slightly brackish lagoon ringed by palms and gardens in a fertile hollow below Topside. A road loops around it, making a peaceful stop on a circuit of the island's interior.
- 4History
Topside pinnacles
Phosphate mining stripped Nauru's central plateau down to a maze of jagged grey limestone pinnacles. Drive or walk the mining tracks for a sobering, otherworldly landscape; ask before entering areas where work continues.
- 5Nature
Moqua Well and Moqua Caves
In Yaren district, an underground freshwater lake lies inside limestone caves that once supplied much of the island's water. The well is easy to visit; the deeper caves need a local guide and a torch.
Biggest cities
Denigomodu
The most populous district includes Location, the phosphate company's housing settlement; its rows of company homes and corner shops give a sense of everyday Nauruan life rather than sights.
Meneng
The south-eastern district holds the Menen, the island's largest hotel, and sits close to the airport and Anibare Bay, making it the natural base for most visitors.
Aiwo
The west-coast industrial district, dominated by the phosphate works and the cantilevers that load ships beyond the reef; it also has the Od-N-Aiwo Hotel and a row of small shops.
Nauru has no cities; figures are 2021 census populations of its three largest districts. Yaren, the de facto seat of government, has about 800 residents.
When to go to Nauru
Best time: May–Oct.
Average climate in Yaren
Festivals & events
- JanIndependence Day
On 31 January Nauru celebrates its 1968 independence from the UN trusteeship run by Australia, Britain and New Zealand, with flag-raising, sports, traditional dancing and feasting.
- MayConstitution Day
17 May marks the adoption of the 1968 constitution with a public holiday, sports competitions, school performances and community events around the island.
- OctAngam Day
On 26 October Nauruans celebrate the population's recovery to 1,500, the number once thought necessary for survival, after devastating losses to disease and wartime deportation.
How much does Nauru cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Coconut fish
Fresh reef fish or tuna cooked in rich coconut cream with onion; the dish to ask for at family feasts and hotel kitchens.
Tuna sashimi
Yellowfin and skipjack landed at the boat harbours, eaten raw with soy sauce, lime and chilli, often bought straight from the fishermen.
Noddy bird
Black noddies, traditionally caught at dusk with hand nets on Topside, are cooked and eaten on special occasions in a long-standing Nauruan custom.
Getting around
There is no public transport worth relying on. The 19 km ring road takes about half an hour to drive, so most visitors hire a car or scooter through their hotel, borrow a bicycle, or walk and accept lifts. Taxis are scarce. Topside is reached by side roads from Aiwo and Anibare. Nauru Airlines is the only regular carrier, with flights from Brisbane and a few other Pacific islands.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- I240V — bring a UK-to-I adapter
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +674
- Time zone
- UTC+12 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Not safe — drink bottled or treated water
- Driving
- On the left
- Tipping
- Tipping isn't part of Nauruan culture and isn't expected, though a small tip for an especially helpful driver or guide won't cause offence.
- Etiquette
- Dress modestly away from the beach, with shoulders and knees covered in villages and churches. Ask before photographing people or crossing family land, and don't photograph the regional processing centre.
- Main airports
- Nauru International Airport (INU), Yaren
Visas & entry for Nauru
Shown for a British passport.
Visa required — apply before you go
You must have a visa to visit Nauru.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- DengueHepatitis BBat LyssavirusTuberculosisTyphoid
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Nauru
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Mon 26 Oct 2026 | Angam Day |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Sat 26 Dec 2026 | Day following Christmas |
| Mon 28 Dec 2026 | Day following Christmas (observed) |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Sun 31 Jan 2027 | Independence Day |
| Mon 1 Feb 2027 | Day following Independence Day |
| Tue 2 Feb 2027 | Independence Day (observed) |
| Mon 8 Mar 2027 | International Women's Day |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Mon 29 Mar 2027 | Easter Monday |
| Tue 30 Mar 2027 | Easter Tuesday |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Constitution Day |
| Thu 1 Jul 2027 | RONPHOS Handover |
| Thu 19 Aug 2027 | Ibumin Earoeni Day |
| Sat 25 Sep 2027 | Sir Hammer DeRoburt Day |
| Mon 27 Sep 2027 | Sir Hammer DeRoburt Day (observed) |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Know before you go
- Confirm accommodation before booking flights: there are only a handful of places to stay, and hotels can also arrange airport transfers and car or scooter hire.
- Bring enough Australian dollars in cash for your whole stay; card acceptance is limited, cash machines are few, and many small shops and cafés take cash only.
- Nauru Airlines flights are infrequent and schedules change, so build a spare day into any onward connection and reconfirm departure times locally.
Nauru travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Nauru?
The best time to visit Nauru is generally May–Oct. Peak months are May, June, July, August, September and October. Average highs in Yaren range from 30°C to 31°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Nauru cost per day?
Roughly £100 a day on a tight budget, £170 mid-range and £260+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Nauru?
Australian dollar (AUD).
What plug type does Nauru use?
Type I sockets at 240V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Nauru?
Traffic drives on the left in Nauru — the same as in the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Nauru?
Not safe — drink bottled or treated water.
Do I need a visa for Nauru?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You must have a visa to visit Nauru. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Nauru before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/nauru/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Nauru?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A and Tetanus for most travellers, with Dengue, Hepatitis B, Bat Lyssavirus, Tuberculosis and Typhoid sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
