Weather
Humid and hot all year. Rainy November-February.
Time difference
GMT +12.
Currency
Tuvaluan dollar (TV$) = 100 cents. Australian dollar (AS$) also used.
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Tuvalu holidays
“Tuvalu is not a nation in any normal sense of the word. Sure, it has a flag and a government and a currency, but all this is a delicately perched on a collection of nine coral islands that hardly break the surface of the ocean – an ocean that's rising, slowly but inexorably. In the oven-like afternoons, people wave from their hammocks. A girl, riding pillion on a small motorbike, grins at me: she can't wave because she needs both hands to grip a large tuna by the tail. These people are the cheeriest I've ever met.”David Shukman, bbc correspondent
Taken from The Traveller's Handbook.
Taken from The Traveller's Handbook.
Tuvalu holiday experts at WEXAS will tailor-make all aspects of your itinerary to create a Tuvalu holiday, personal to you.
Tuvalu tailor-made holiday highlights
FunafutiThe capital of these beautiful islands is where most activity is centred. Visit the enormous Funafuti lagoon, a huge pool 14 kilometres wide and 18 kilometres long, which is excellent for swimming and snorkelling. Zip across to the Marine Conservation Park in a private or chartered boat and explore six tiny islets that are home to an abundance of marine life. Join in a game of football at Funafuti's pitch, which also doubles as the airport landing strip.
Nanumea
The northwestern-most island, Nanumea is considered to have the most beautiful lagoon. Swim and relax in this island paradise, visit the us landing craft that lies wrecked on the reef. Climb the church tower for a wonderful view, but ask the pastor's permission first.
Funafala
The second most populated island in the atoll is Funafala. You can visit it by taking the Funafuti Island Council's catamaran, which goes three times a week for a two-hour stay. The island is covered with traditional buildings with thatched roofs.
Funafuti Marine Conservation Area
Here and in the numerous lagoons marine life is teeming; but it can be dangerous to swim in the ocean due to a strong tide.
Combat skills
Learn to wield the katipopuki, a traditional hardwood spear used in an age-old Tuvaluan martial art. This form of personal defence training can be learned on the island of Niutaos. One to impress your friends when you get home.
People & place
Tuvalu facts
Capital: Funafuti
Language: English.
People: Tuvaluan.
Religion: Church of Tuvalu (97%).
Size (sq km): 26.
Population: 12,000.
Population density/sq km: 461.
Etiquette
The traditional values of the Tuvaluan culture are dominant here. Dress is casual, but it is customary for women to cover their thighs and beachwear should be confined to the beach or poolside. If you are visiting an outer island, take items like tobacco sticks, matches, fish hooks, chewing gum, and volleyballs as gifts for people you may meet, as a form of reciprocation. Remove your shoes before entering a house, church or village meeting house. If invited to a feast, try and find out the local custom and seek advice. Sunday is a day of rest and churchgoing, visitors are recommended to undertake activities that do not cause much disturbance for this day.
Shopping
Weaving, shell jewellery, wooden boxes.
Food & drink
Fish and shellfish play a major part in the local diet. Some restaurants serve international dishes.
International Airports
Funafuti (FUN) is 30 minutes outside town.
Internal travel
No air service. Few roads. A single passenger and cargo boat serves all the islands.
Red tape
Visas
Not required.
Vaccinations
Hep. A, Hep. B, Typhoid.
Driving requirements
n/a.
Reps in UK/US
UK: 230 Worple Road, London, SW20 8RH, tel/fax (020) 8879 0985, email tuvaluconsulate@ netscape.net. US: n/a.
UK/US reps in Tuvalu
UK: Enquiries are handled by the High Commission in Suva (see Fiji). US: Enquiries are handled by the embassy in Suva (see Fiji).
Currency
Tuvaluan dollar (TV$) = 100 cents. Australian dollar (AS$) also used.
Finance
No credit cards. Traveller's cheques in AS$.
Business hours
0730-1615 Monday-Thursday, 0730-1245 Friday.
Safety & life expectancy
Safety information
Safe.
Life expectancy
Life expectancy: M 65.9, F 70.5.
Useful websites for travel
www.spto.org, www.timelesstuvalu.com.
Local media
Tuvalu Echoes is published in English, fortnightly, by the government. No TV service, one radio station.
Tourist boards
n/a.
Tuvalu tailor-made holiday ideas
FunafutiThe capital of these beautiful islands is where most activity is centred. Visit the enormous Funafuti lagoon, a huge pool 14 kilometres wide and 18 kilometres long, which is excellent for swimming and snorkelling. Zip across to the Marine Conservation Park in a private or chartered boat and explore six tiny islets that are home to an abundance of marine life. Join in a game of football at Funafuti's pitch, which also doubles as the airport landing strip.
Nanumea
The northwestern-most island, Nanumea is considered to have the most beautiful lagoon. Swim and relax in this island paradise, visit the us landing craft that lies wrecked on the reef. Climb the church tower for a wonderful view, but ask the pastor's permission first.
Funafala
The second most populated island in the atoll is Funafala. You can visit it by taking the Funafuti Island Council's catamaran, which goes three times a week for a two-hour stay. The island is covered with traditional buildings with thatched roofs.
Funafuti Marine Conservation Area
Here and in the numerous lagoons marine life is teeming; but it can be dangerous to swim in the ocean due to a strong tide.
Combat skills
Learn to wield the katipopuki, a traditional hardwood spear used in an age-old Tuvaluan martial art. This form of personal defence training can be learned on the island of Niutaos. One to impress your friends when you get home.
