Nauru travel guide

Getting there

Nauru International Airport near Yaren is served by flights from Brisbane and a few Pacific islands; there are no passenger ferries.

Best time to visit: Mar–Oct – drier weather with less rain.

Tougher months: No bad time – but December to March can bring heavier rain and westerly winds.

Weather by month in Yaren

• 31°J●●●
• 31°F●●
• 31°M●●
• 31°A●●
• 31°M●
• 31°J●
• 31°J●
• 31°A●
• 31°S●
• 31°O●
• 31°N●
• 31°D●●

Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).

Time zone: Pacific/Nauru. Compare with your local time.

Visas: in our passport dataset, 16 of 198 other passports can enter Nauru without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 0 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 182 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.

Background: Visa policy of Nauru (Wikipedia).

Official advisory: Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (U.S. Department of State, updated 2024-12-02). Read the advisory.

Source and more: Nauru travel facts on RoamSun

Stay

Most trips to Nauru are based around Anibare Bay, Buada Lagoon or Command Ridge. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.

Typical daily budget: about US$80–120 for a backpacker and US$150–250 mid-range, per person.

Source: RoamSun Nauru page · Browse hotel guides

Connect

Plug types: I. Voltage: 240 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.

Calling code: +674.

Mobile data: read the travel eSIM setup guide before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.

Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun

Do

• Anibare Bay (East coast · beach): The island's best beach, with soft sand and dramatic coral formations.
• Buada Lagoon (Interior · lagoon): A tranquil landlocked lagoon surrounded by greenery, a contrast to the mined plateau.
• Command Ridge (Interior · WWII site): Nauru's highest point, with Second World War relics and wide views.
• Topside (Central plateau · mining landscape): A surreal landscape of limestone pinnacles that tells the island's phosphate story.
• Yaren (South coast · government district): The de facto seat of government, home to Parliament and the airport.
• Moqua Well (Yaren · underground lake): An underground freshwater lake in a limestone cave, once an important water source.

Things to do

• Drive the island loop. Circle the whole country on its coastal road in well under an hour, stopping at beaches and villages.
• Swim at Anibare Bay. Relax on Nauru's most beautiful white-sand beach, framed by limestone pinnacles.
• Explore Topside. Walk among the strange coral-limestone pinnacles left behind by a century of phosphate mining.
• Climb Command Ridge. Visit the island's highest point to see rusting Japanese wartime guns and a bunker.
• Visit Buada Lagoon. Stroll around a peaceful inland lagoon fringed by palms and gardens.
• Watch a sunset from the reef. See the sky glow over the Pacific from the wide reef flats at low tide.
• Go deep-sea fishing. Head offshore with local boats to fish for tuna and other big game in deep water close to the reef.
• See the phosphate cantilevers. Look at the massive industrial structures at Aiwo used to load ships with phosphate.

Source: full Nauru guide on RoamSun

Eat and drink

• Coconut fish – fish cooked in rich coconut cream
• Grilled tuna – fresh from local fishing boats
• Coconut toddy – sweet drink from palm sap
• Fried rice – popular dish at local Chinese-run eateries

Source: RoamSun Nauru guide

Money and safety

Currency: Australian dollar (AUD). Currency and plug checker.

Tipping: Not customary..

Emergency numbers: 110 police · 111 ambulance · 112 fire.

• Nauru uses the Australian dollar.
• ATM access is very limited, so bring enough cash for your stay.
• Nauru is generally safe, with low crime against visitors.
• Swim carefully – there are strong currents beyond the reef and limited lifeguard cover.

Source: RoamSun Nauru facts