Things to Do on Nauru

October 31, 2026

Nauru is a 21 square kilometre raised coral island just south of the equator, home to about 12,500 people. It is the smallest independent republic in the world, and nearly everything worth doing sits within a short ride of the coast road. The list is short and specific. Plan around the ring road, the sea, the mined interior and the football.

Ride or drive the ring road

A paved ring road of about 19 km circles the island through all 14 districts, passing coconut palms, the white sand of Anibare Bay, the cantilever loaders at Aiwo and the village communities of the north. Near the airport in Yaren the road crosses the runway, and traffic lights stop cars when a plane lands or takes off. Driving is on the left. Bicycles and cars are limited and are usually arranged through your accommodation or through Capelle & Partner in Ewa. Early morning and late afternoon are the cooler times to ride.

Game fishing

The sea floor drops away within a few hundred metres of the reef, so open-ocean fish run close to shore. Charters go for yellowfin tuna, wahoo, mahi-mahi, skipjack and Pacific blue marlin. Local operators include Nauru Game Fishing and Equatorial Fishing Charters, and boats work from Anibare Boat Harbour. Ask your hotel about rates and departure times, and pay in AUD cash.

Topside pinnacles

The central plateau, known as Topside, was strip-mined for phosphate for most of a century and now holds a maze of limestone pinnacles several metres tall, with dirt haul tracks between them. It covers roughly 80 percent of the island. There is no shade and the UV is very high, so go early, wear closed shoes because the rock is sharp, and carry plenty of water. The tracks are unmarked, so most visitors go with a local guide arranged through their hotel.

Australian rules football

Australian rules is the national passion. Games are played at Linkbelt Oval in Aiwo District, home of the Nauru Australian Football Association, on a surface of crushed phosphate dust or gravel. Ask at your hotel which weekend matches are on, and sit back from the boundary line.

Diving and snorkelling

Clear deep water and a wall that drops off just beyond the fringing reef make Nauru interesting to divers, but there is no full-service dive shop with rental kit. Bring your own regulator, BCD and dive computer, and arrange tank fills and boat transport ahead of time through Menen Hotel. On the reef flat, wear thick-soled reef shoes, because the limestone is sharp and stonefish and cone snails live in the shallow pools.

Staying safe in the water

Anibare Bay has heavy surf and rip currents, and there are no lifeguards on the island. Local people swim inside Anibare Boat Harbour, but ask locally before you go in. Buada Lagoon and Moqua Well are not swimming spots. Cyclone and swell risk runs from November to May, and normal travel precautions apply.

Before you go

A visa is required and must be arranged before you travel. There is no visa on arrival, and your passport should be valid for at least three months after you arrive. Nauru Airlines is the only passenger carrier, with a few flights a week, so check nauruair.com for the current timetable. Bring Australian dollars for your whole stay. There is one ATM, at Menen Hotel, and it is often out of cash, and cards are not accepted.

Booking

Most arrangements are made on the island through your hotel. You can still search GetYourGuide for any new Nauru listings, and the UK government advice for Nauru covers entry and safety. Flights are on Nauru Airlines .

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