- Local time
- 23:36
- Currency
- Australian Dollar (AUD)
- Capital
- Yaren District
- Calling code
- +674
- Drive on the
- left
Overview
Nauru is a tiny island republic near the equator and one of the least visited countries on Earth: a ring road, Anibare Bay, wartime relics on Command Ridge and the stark mined-out interior called Topside.
Nauru is a single small island in the central Pacific, south of the Marshall Islands, and one of the smallest countries in the world. It receives only a couple of hundred tourists a year. Much of the interior, called Topside, is worked-out phosphate mining land, a moonscape of limestone pinnacles; around it runs a 19 km ring road that you can drive in under an hour, cycle in two or three hours or walk in about six.
Nauru is the opposite of the classic South Seas image, but it rewards the curious: swimming at Anibare Bay, Japanese guns and bunkers from the Second World War on Command Ridge, the island's highest point, the old phosphate works at Aiwo and a slow, friendly pace. Visitors need a visa in advance, flights are few and the two hotels fill up, so plan months ahead.
- Anibare Bay: White sand, palms and coral pinnacles, the best place to swim.
- Command Ridge: The highest point, with Japanese guns, ruins and a wartime communications centre.
- Topside: The mined-out interior of limestone pinnacles and rusting machinery.
- Buada Lagoon: The only body of fresh water, ringed by palms.
- The ring road: Circle the whole island by car, bike or on foot.
Places to visit
Beyond the cities
- Anibare Bay (coast): The island's best beach, with a small harbour for fishing boats.
- Command Ridge (site): Second World War emplacements on the island's highest point, 63 m.
- Buada Lagoon (site): A freshwater lagoon in the lower middle of the island.
- Aiwo Harbour (site): The phosphate port and refining plants, with conveyor belts over the sea.
- Yaren (district): The district of the parliament, the government and the airport.
Things to do
See
- Hike to Command Ridge: An easy 800 m walk to guns and the old Japanese communications centre: bring a torch.
- Industrial heritage at Aiwo Aiwo: Phosphate plants and conveyor belts on pylons over the sea, the heart of the island's history.
- Nauru Museum: History, culture and Second World War artefacts.
Do
- Swim at Anibare Bay Anibare: Clear water among coral pinnacles; watch the fishermen land their catch.
- Circle the island: About 25 minutes by car, 2 to 3 hours by bike or 6 hours on foot.
- Aussie rules football: The national game, played all day on Saturdays at Linkbelt Oval.
- Game fishing: Charters for yellowfin tuna, marlin, wahoo and sailfish.
Holidays and events
- 1 January 2026 · New Year's Day
- 31 January 2026 · Independence Day
- 8 March 2026 · International Women's Day
- 3 April 2026 · Good Friday
- 6 April 2026 · Easter Monday
- 7 April 2026 · Easter Tuesday
- 17 May 2026 · Constitution Day
- 1 July 2026 · RONPhos Handover Day
- 19 August 2026 · Ibumin Earoeni Day
- 25 September 2026 · Sir Hammer DeRoburt Day
- 26 October 2026 · Angam Day
- 25 December 2026 · Christmas Day
- 26 December 2026 · St. Stephen's Day
Getting around
| Main airports | INU |
|---|
There are no taxis and hardly any public transport, apart from an island bus that circles roughly hourly during the day. Rent a car, scooter or bicycle, for example through the main supermarket, Capelle & Partner, or your hotel; hitchhiking is common. Traffic drives on the left; watch for animals and pedestrians and avoid driving after dark. Canada says its licence is valid for 30 days, Wikivoyage mentions an international licence, so check with the rental firm. The traffic lights on the ring road stop cars when a plane crosses to the terminal.
Flying to Nauru? PartnerCompare fares and find the cheapest datesSearch flightsWhere to stay
- Menen Hotel: The largest hotel, with two restaurants and the island's only bar.
- Capelle & Partner Ewa Lodge: Self-catering apartments and rooms at the supermarket complex in the north-west.
Accommodation is very limited and often full of visiting government staff, so book months ahead.
Eat and drink
Dishes to try
- Seafood: Fresh fish is the highlight of most menus, especially at Anibare Bay.
- Chinese food: Cheap fried rice, noodles and fish in small eating places.
Drinks
- Australian beer: At the Reef Bar of the Menen Hotel, the only public bar; men need a collared shirt and no flip-flops.
| Tipping | Not done, and neither is bargaining. |
|---|
Most food is imported from Australia by ship or plane, so dishes are simple. A few restaurants serve alcohol.
Entry requirements and visas
| Passport validity | At least 3 months after the date you arrive |
|---|
| Passport | Entry | Max stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Visa required | Apply in advance following the Nauru government's visa instructions. | |
| Canada | Visa required | Tourist visa required; business visitors also need a local sponsor. |
Other nationalities: check the official source below.
Most visitors need a visa before travelling, and processing can take a long time, so apply well ahead; Wikivoyage reports a tourist visa fee of about A$100, paid on arrival. You also need a hotel booking or a local sponsor, and may be asked for an onward ticket and proof of funds. On arrival you may have to hand in your passport for registration, to be returned the next day. Customs bans drugs, weapons and pornography. Rules depend on your passport and can change: check the Nauru government's visa page before you book.
Money and payments
| Currency | Australian Dollar (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Cards | Rare |
Nauru uses the Australian dollar (AUD). The UK says credit cards are not accepted and that the island's only ATM, at the Menen Hotel, is often out of cash; there are no exchange offices. Bring enough Australian dollars in cash for your whole stay.
Health
| Required vaccines | Yellow fever certificate, only if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever |
|---|---|
| Recommended vaccines | Routine vaccines, including measles (MMR), Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies, only for some travellers: ask a travel clinic |
| Malaria | None |
| Tap water | Not safe |
Avoid tap water: supply depends on rainwater tanks and an ageing desalination plant, and droughts bring restrictions. There is a risk of dengue, so avoid mosquito bites. Medical facilities are very basic, medicines are limited, so bring enough of your own, and serious cases are flown to Australia. Stray dogs have bitten visitors: do not run if one approaches. For an ambulance, call 111.
This is general information, not medical advice: check with a travel health professional before you go.
Safety
- United States: Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (2026-10-20)
- Canada: Take normal security precautions (2026-10-20)
- United Kingdom: No advice against travel (2026-10-20)
Nauru is peaceful and crime is rare. Wild and stray dogs are the main nuisance: avoid dark roads at night. Many beaches are shallow and rocky, there are strong currents over the reef and around the boat channels, and no lifeguards: ask locally before swimming and wear reef shoes. The rainy season, from November to April or May, brings storms and strong swells; tsunamis are possible after distant earthquakes.
Customs and etiquette
Nauru is a conservative, Christian country: dress modestly and wear shorts or a sarong over swimwear. Avoid pointing at people. Same-sex relationships are legal, but public affection may cause offence. Drug offences are punished severely. Do not photograph the Australian processing centre for asylum seekers.
Language
| Official languages | Nauru, English |
|---|---|
| English | Widespread |
What to pack
- Australian dollars in cash: Cards are rarely accepted and the ATM is unreliable.
- Your medicines in their original packaging: Supplies on the island are limited.
- A torch: For the dark interior of the Command Ridge bunker.
- Reef shoes: Against coral cuts and stonefish.
- Plug adapter: Nauru uses Australian-style type I plugs at 240 V.
Quick reference
Country facts
| Capital | Yaren District |
|---|---|
| Population | 12,025 (2025) |
| Area | 21 km² |
| Time zone | Pacific/Nauru (UTC+12) |
| Calling code | +674 |
| Driving side | left |
Electricity and plugs
| Plug types | I |
|---|---|
| Voltage | 240 V |
| Frequency | 50 Hz |
Staying connected
| SIM and eSIM | Digicel is the local mobile operator; buy a SIM if your provider has no roaming agreement. |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | One internet café, run by CenpacNet in the Civic Centre at Aiwo; hotels also offer computers. |
Emergency numbers
| Police | 110 |
|---|---|
| Ambulance | 111 |
| Fire | 112 |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Nauru?
Yes, most visitors, including UK and Canadian citizens, must get a visa before travelling, and it can take a long time. Check the Nauru government's visa page.
Can I pay by card in Nauru?
Rarely: bring enough Australian dollars in cash.
Can I drink the tap water?
No, avoid tap water: supply depends on rain tanks and an ageing desalination plant.
How big is Nauru?
Small enough to drive around in under an hour on the 19 km ring road.
When is the best time to visit?
Avoid the rainy season, roughly November to April or May, when storms and heavy rain are frequent.
Sources This guide was last checked on · 15 sources
- Wikivoyage: Nauru · Overview, Places to visit, Things to do, Getting around, Where to stay, Eat and drink, Entry requirements and visas, Money and payments, Health, Safety, Customs and etiquette, Language, What to pack, Electricity and plugs, Staying connected, Frequently asked questions
- Nager.Date: public holidays in Nauru, 2026 · Holidays and events
- UK FCDO: Nauru safety and security · Getting around, Money and payments, Safety, Customs and etiquette, What to pack, Frequently asked questions
- Government of Canada: Nauru travel advice (updated 26 May 2026) · Getting around, Entry requirements and visas, Safety, Customs and etiquette, Frequently asked questions
- UK FCDO: Nauru entry requirements · Entry requirements and visas, Frequently asked questions
- Wikidata · Money and payments, Country facts, Electricity and plugs
- ISO 4217 (SIX), published 2026-09-17 · Money and payments
- CDC Travelers' Health: Nauru · Health
- UK FCDO: Nauru health · Health, What to pack
- US Department of State: Nauru travel advisory · Safety
- UK FCDO: Nauru travel advice · Safety
- World Bank, SP.POP.TOTL · Country facts
- World Bank, AG.LND.TOTL.K2 · Country facts
- IANA Time Zone Database, zone.tab · Country facts
- UK FCDO: Nauru getting help · Emergency numbers
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