In one of the world’s hardest-to-reach countries, getting these details right in advance will make your trip a success.
- Book Your Flights First: The handful of weekly flights between Suva and Funafuti are the backbone of your trip. Seats are extremely limited—lock in your flights before arranging accommodation or activities.
- Cash Is King: ATMs are unreliable and often run out of cash. Exchange enough Australian dollars in Suva, Fiji, and bring plenty of small denominations (10s and 20s).
- Book Accommodation via Email: Guesthouses don’t have online booking systems. Use the guesthouse list from the Tuvalu Tourism Office and email each one directly. Slow replies are normal.
- Avoid the Wet Season: Tropical cyclones and constant rain from November to April can disrupt your plans. The dry season from May to October is the safer time to visit.
- Respect Sundays: It’s a day of church and quiet across the islands. Avoid loud activities, boat trips, or shopping. Instead, join the locals for a peaceful church service.
- Conserve Water and Power: Freshwater comes from rainwater collection, and electricity is diesel-generated. Turn off lights when not in use and take short showers—it’s basic visitor etiquette.
- Pay Departure Tax in Cash: A cash fee is required at the airport when leaving. Set aside several Australian dollars separately—don’t let your budget run too low.
- Get Travel Insurance and Pack Medications: Medical facilities are very limited. Make sure your insurance covers medical evacuation, and bring your own supplies: cold medicine, stomach remedies, and band-aids.
- Prepare for Slow Internet: Connections are slow and expensive. Download offline maps, ebooks, and music before you go. Embrace a few days of digital detox and focus on the sea and people around you.
- Take Your Trash with You: Don’t step on coral reefs or take shells or sand. The islands have limited waste disposal. Take any hard-to-recycle trash like batteries and plastic back to Suva for proper disposal.
Final reminder: There are no backup cash sources in Tuvalu. Have all your cash ready and split it up before your departure day. While taking photos is great, the most valuable souvenir here is simply slowing down and spending an afternoon chatting with the locals.