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Micronesia

NauruTravel guide

Explore Nauru visa rules

Nauru is a small, remote island in the South Pacific Ocean. It is the world's smallest independent republic and receives very few tourists. Much of its interior has been changed by phosphate mining.

Why go

  1. White sand, coral formations and sunrise views at Anibare Bay.

  2. Japanese guns and ruins from World War II at Command Ridge.

  3. Palm trees and a scenic walk around Buada Lagoon.

  4. Unusual limestone formations and old mining equipment in the island's interior.

Best time to go: March to October avoids the November–February rainy season. Temperatures stay warm all year, while the rainy season brings frequent heavy rain and thunderstorms.

Getting there

By air

  • Almost everyone arrives at Nauru International Airport in Yaren district.
  • As of 2023, Nauru Airlines served Brisbane, Nadi, Pohnpei and Honiara. Each route had one to three flights a week, with irregular schedules.
  • Plan and book a few months ahead. Australian government staff can fill hotel rooms and flights, especially the Brisbane route.

By sea

  • The ports at Aiwo and Anibare cannot handle passenger traffic or yachts.
  • Large ships must anchor offshore because the water near the coast is shallow.

Customs

  • The stated tobacco allowance is 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 450 grams of tobacco.
  • Passengers may bring three bottles of spirits.
  • Small amounts of perfume for personal use and audiovisual products are allowed.

Getting around

  • Car

    The paved Island Ring Road is 19 kilometres long. Driving around the island takes less than an hour. Drive on the left and watch for animals and pedestrians. Most inland roads are not paved. Foreign drivers need an international driver's licence. Ask Capelle & Partner, your hotel or a local about renting a car. Fuel shortages sometimes happen. An airport taxiway crosses the road. Traffic lights stop vehicles so aircraft can pass.

  • Bicycle or scooter

    A rented bicycle or scooter is an option because there is hardly any public transport. Capelle & Partner sometimes rents bicycles. You can also ask your hotel or a local.

  • Walking or hitchhiking

    Walking is possible, but the heat and humidity can make it uncomfortable. Hitchhiking is common on the island. Avoid walking along dark roads at night because roaming dogs can be dangerous.

What to see and do

  • Anibare Bay

    A white-sand beach with palm groves and coral formations. It is also a good place to watch the sunrise.

  • Anibare Harbour

    At the southern end of Anibare Bay, you can watch local fishermen bring their catch ashore.

  • Aiwo Harbour

    The harbour, phosphate plants and large conveyor belts show how mining shaped Nauru. Much of the industrial area looks run-down.

  • Buada Lagoon

    The island's only freshwater body is surrounded by palms and other plants. It is scenic, but its dirty water is not suitable for swimming.

  • Command Ridge

    Nauru's highest point has Japanese guns, prison ruins and a former communications centre from World War II. Bring a torch to see inside the poorly lit building.

  • Government buildings in Yaren

    The parliament building is one of the island's main landmarks. Parliamentary meetings are usually open to the public.

Food and drink

  • Seafood

    Seafood is popular in the island's restaurants.

  • Western and Asian food

    Western and Asian dishes, mainly Chinese, are available. Meals can be simple because some ingredients are hard to obtain.

  • Cooked and smoked ham

    Both are popular, and meat is a main part of many meals.

  • Capelle & Partner

    The department store in Ewa sells food, drinks and snacks, as well as souvenirs and other supplies.

  • Reef Bar

    At Menen Hotel, this is the island's only public bar and serves Australian beer and international spirits. Men need a collared shirt; flip-flops are not allowed, but enclosed sandals are accepted.

  • Restaurants and shops

    Soft drinks are available, and some places also sell alcohol.

Money

Australian dollar (AUD), written as $.

  • Bring enough Australian dollars in cash for your stay. Cash is normal, and credit and debit cards are rarely accepted.
  • There are no currency exchange offices. The Bank of Nauru office is usually closed.
  • A cash machine is available at the Capelle & Partner store.
  • Bargaining is not customary.

Tipping: Tipping is not customary.

Typical costs

  • Capelle & Partner Ewa Lodge listed a price of A$95 in May 2015.
  • Menen Hotel listed rooms at A$95–160 and suites at A$255–500 in February 2020.

Language

  • Nauruan is an official language.
  • English is also official and is widely understood and spoken. It is used for most government and business matters.

Staying safe

  • Nauru is peaceful, and crime is very rare.
  • Roaming dogs can be dangerous. Avoid walking along dark roads at night.
  • Tsunamis can reach Nauru after earthquakes elsewhere around the Pacific Ocean.
  • Expect heavy rain and thunderstorms during the wet season.

Local customs

Do

  • Respect local Christian values and rules of behaviour.
  • Follow Reef Bar's dress rules: men need a collared shirt, and flip-flops are not allowed.

Don't

  • Do not photograph the Australian processing centre for asylum seekers.
  • Do not import pornographic material. It is illegal, and access to pornography online is blocked.
  • Do not traffic drugs or narcotics. Punishments are severe.
  • Be aware that open displays of affection between same-sex partners may offend some people.

Staying healthy

  • Avoid tap water. The island relies on collected rainwater and an ageing plant that removes salt from seawater.
  • Protect yourself from mosquito bites because dengue fever is a risk.
  • A hepatitis B vaccination is recommended.
  • Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required if you come from a country where the disease is regularly present, or visited one in the previous six days.

Phone and internet

  • Internet access is a source of news from outside Nauru, alongside satellite television and radio.
  • The government blocks access to pornography online.

Where to stay

  • Book a few months ahead, as Australian government staff can fill hotel rooms.
  • Capelle & Partner Ewa Lodge in northwestern Nauru has seven apartments where you can cook your own meals and five rooms.
  • Menen Hotel is south of Anibare Bay on the coastal road. It has 119 rooms, two restaurants and the island's only public bar.
  • Od-N-Aiwo is another hotel mentioned on the island. It is about 5.5 kilometres from Reef Bar along the Ring Road.

Outdoor adventures in Nauru

Nauru offers a white-sand beach at Anibare Bay, a walk around Buada Lagoon and a short hike to Command Ridge. Inland, Topside has unusual limestone pinnacles left by phosphate mining. Avoid the November–February rainy season, when heavy rain and thunderstorms are frequent.

  • Anibare Bay

    BeacheAnibare district

    Outside the November–February rainy season; sunrise for views.

    Reach the bay along the Ring Road in Anibare district. Visit for the white sand, palm groves and swimming among coral pinnacles.

    • Heavy rain and thunderstorms are frequent during the November–February rainy season.

  • Command Ridge

    Hike

    Easy Outside the November–February rainy season.

    Follow the road opposite the Od-N-Aiwo hotel for about 700 metres. At the top of the ridge, turn left and walk along the limestone pinnacles to the far end of the clearing. The ruins are a short distance into the forest. The hike from the road is about 800 metres.

    • Bring a torch or lantern if entering the former communications centre; the interior is poorly lit.
    • Dangerous wild dogs roam the island. Avoid walking along dark roads at night.

  • Buada Lagoon circuit

    HikeBuada district

    Outside the November–February rainy season.

    Take the road opposite the Od-N-Aiwo hotel. Follow it to the fork, then turn left to reach the lagoon. Walk around the lagoon on the sealed road that circles it.

    • The lagoon water is dirty and unsuitable for swimming.
    • Dangerous wild dogs roam the island. Avoid walking along dark roads at night.

  • Topside limestone landscape

    More to doIsland interior

    Outside the November–February rainy season.

    Visit the island's interior, known locally as Topside, to see the landscape left by phosphate mining. No specific route or tour arrangement is described.

Airports, metros and trains in Nauru

Airports with scheduled flights

  • INUNauru International AirportYaren

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 15 of 198 countries can visit Nauru easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required3
  • Visa on arrival12
  • Visa required183

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Oceania10 of 13 countries
  • Asia3 of 50 countries
  • Europe2 of 46 countries
  • Africa0 of 54 countries
  • Americas0 of 35 countries

Questions

How far ahead should I book?

Plan and book a few months ahead. Australian government staff can fill flights and hotel rooms, especially on the Brisbane route.

When is the best time to visit?

March to October avoids the rainy season. November to February brings frequent heavy rain and thunderstorms.

Can I pay by card?

Cards are rarely accepted, so bring enough Australian dollars in cash. There is a cash machine at Capelle & Partner.

How can I get around?

Rent a car, scooter or bicycle, as there is hardly any public transport. Driving around the island takes less than an hour.

Will people understand English?

English is an official language and is widely understood and spoken. Nauruan is also official.

Can I drink tap water?

Avoid tap water. Nauru's water supply depends on collected rainwater and an ageing seawater treatment plant.

Where can I swim?

Anibare Bay has clean water deep enough for swimming. Buada Lagoon is dirty and is not suitable for swimming.

What food is available?

Restaurants serve seafood, meat, western food and Asian food, mainly Chinese. Dishes can be simple because ingredients are not always available.

What electrical plugs does Nauru use?

Nauru uses Australian-style plugs and 240-volt electricity at 50 hertz. Drops in the power supply happen quite often.

Can I take photographs everywhere?

You may not photograph the Australian processing centre for asylum seekers.

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