Tuvalu travel guide

When the airstrip on Fongafale Islet isn't in use - and that's often - it's a recreational area. All kinds of ball games, weightlifting, bike riding, running, you name it, will take place here in the cooler afternoon.

Some of the longest sandy beaches on Fongafale Islet are right in town. The lagoon side offers several long narrow beaches with plenty of trees and palms. However, don't expect to get it for yourself for the friendly locals relax in their hammocks in the shade.

Most of the shore north of town is sandless, but there're a few patches of palmfringed sandy beaches. The nameless beach on the pictured is even very deserted, if you wanted it for yourself. The water on the lagoon side is warm, calm, and shallow, perfect to float around in.

The Fetu Ao Lima church is built on the site of the previous church, which was bombed into ruins by the Japanese during WWII. The story goes that the locals had seeked shelter in the church during a raid. An American soldier, which was deployed at the American base here, persuaded the locals to leave the church and seek shelter in the dugouts. And just minutes after they had left the church, it was bombed into pieces.

Funafala is the second biggest islet in the Funafuti Lagoon and one of the few inhabited islets. There are about 15-20 people living there, among a church and many picturesque coconut palms. At the time it's not possible to stay here, but you can swing by while on a boat trip in Funafuti Lagoon.

Tuvalu consists of four islands and five coral atolls. The main atoll is Funafuti, which consists of several islets, the largest is Fongafale. It's a long narrow sliver of land, 12 kilometres long and no more than 400 metres wide. The town, which takes up the "albue" of the L-shaped islet, doesn't seem to have a united name, instead people refer to the four “villages” which make up the town. Officially, the capital of Tuvalu is the entire atoll Funafuti. The population for Fongafale is about 5500, half of Tuvalu’s entire population. It feels like just like one small town, with one road running from one end to the to other with surprisingly many motorbikes and even cars. The focal point of Fongafale is the airstrip, which runs the entire length of the town.

Most visitors are not impressed with Tuvalu, because all they see is Fongafale Islet. Here the sandy beaches are few and not that great, and the snorkeling is even worse. But a trip around the Funafuti Lagoon to some of the other islets will for sure change that impression. Uninhabited islets fringed with white sand and covered with native forest and palms trees lies like pearls on a string in the most perfect azure blue water. It's the iconic image of the South Pacific. The water can easily reach above 30 degrees and corals (though bleached) are home to lots of colourful fish. If you're lucky, you might see dolphins, manta rays (picture) and Green turtles. The lagoon also includes Funafuti Conservation area, which is a bird watcher's paradise.

Tuvalu's source of income are fishing licences, leasing their internet domain name extension .tv and stamps, though the stamp business has significantly declined in recent years. However, you can still buy stamps from the little post office. There is also a small exhibition showing Tuvalu stamps commemorate everything from international events and famous people to wildlife and daily life items - and even their .tv domain name.

Tuvalu isn't boasting with attractions, so any remotely interesting thing becomes a potential sight. Along the shore near the port are a few shipwrechs in various states of disintegration. One was formerly a fishing boat, which got destroyed by Cyclone Bebe in 1972. The shipwrecks are joined by rusting cars, buses and engine parts.

Let's be honest, snorkeling around Fongafale Islet isn't particularly good. But if you have set your mind on some snorkeling head to the nortern end, where both the sea and lagoon sides offer groups of smaller colourful fish. Be aware of any current.
For way better snorkeling, head out into the Funafuti Lagoon.