Nauru Travel Guide. Essential travel information — emergency numbers, safety, currency, visas, customs and getting around.
Emergency Numbers
How safe is Nauru?
- Very Safe
- Generally Safe
- Exercise Caution
- High Risk
- Dangerous
Nauru, the world's smallest island nation, is a generally safe destination with very low rates of violent crime against visitors. The main practical concerns are infrastructure-related rather than criminal: the island is remote, medical facilities are extremely limited, flight connections are infrequent, and there is essentially no tourism industry, so travelers must be highly self-reliant. Petty theft can occur but is uncommon. The interior plateau ('Topside') is dominated by jagged, scarred coral pinnacles left from a century of phosphate mining and should not be entered without a guide. Heat, strong sun, and dehydration are realistic risks year-round.
Advisories (8)
Scams
- With almost no tourism infrastructure, scams are rare, but always agree on a price before accepting an informal taxi or paid lift, as there are no metered taxis and fares are negotiated.
- Confirm accommodation bookings directly and in writing before arrival; the island has only a handful of hotels/guesthouses and some online listings are out of date or no longer operating.
- Avoid paying strangers in advance for tours of the phosphate mine or restricted areas, which generally require official permission; arrange any access through your hotel or the government.
- Be cautious of anyone offering to change money at unofficial 'better' rates, as there is no formal currency exchange culture and you may receive less than promised.
Warnings
- Medical care is very basic; the Republic of Nauru Hospital cannot handle serious emergencies and medical evacuation to Australia is costly and slow. Carry comprehensive travel and evacuation insurance.
- Flights are operated almost exclusively by Nauru Airlines on limited schedules; cancellations or schedule changes can strand travelers for days, so build buffer days into any itinerary.
- Nauru has hosted Australia's offshore asylum-seeker processing facilities; certain areas are restricted and photographing them or government/security sites is prohibited.
- Bring essential prescription medications, basic supplies, and cash, as pharmacies, ATMs, and reliable card payment are scarce or unreliable.
Practical Info
Currency
Australian dollar (AUD)
Power Plug
Type I
Type I (three flat pins, as in Australia/New Zealand); 240V, 50Hz
See the sockets
Tipping
Tipping is not customary or expected in Nauru. Service staff do not rely on tips, though rounding up or leaving small change for exceptional service is appreciated and never refused.
SIM / Data
Mobile service is provided by Digicel Nauru. Buy a local prepaid SIM and data on arrival if you need connectivity; coverage is island-wide but speeds are modest and the network can be congested. Wi-Fi exists at some hotels but is often slow and unreliable. Download maps and essentials before arrival.
Visa
Most visitors require a visa to enter Nauru, and it generally must be arranged in advance rather than on arrival. Tourist and business visas typically require a sponsor or confirmed accommodation, proof of onward travel, and sufficient funds; applications are submitted to Nauru's immigration authorities (often via email). Requirements change and processing can be slow, so apply well ahead and confirm current rules with the Nauru immigration department or a Nauruan diplomatic contact before booking.
Driving Side
Left
How do you get around Nauru?
Public Transport
There is no formal public bus network for tourists. The island is small enough that getting around is done by car, by informal lifts, or on foot/bicycle. Distances are short and the single ring road makes navigation simple.
Ride-hailing
- No ride-hailing apps operate in Nauru (no Uber, Bolt, Grab, etc.); arrange transport through your hotel or via informal local taxis/lifts
Intercity
Nauru is only about 21 sq km and roughly 19 km of sealed road circles the entire island, so there is no domestic 'intercity' travel as such; you can drive around the whole island in well under an hour. Travel to and from Nauru is almost entirely by air via Nauru International Airport (INU), served mainly by Nauru Airlines connecting to Brisbane (Australia), Nadi (Fiji), Tarawa (Kiribati), the Marshall Islands, and other Pacific points on limited schedules.
Culture and customs
Customs
- Nauruan society is built around 12 tribes (represented by the 12-pointed star on the national flag) and extended family is central; community and church gatherings are important and visitors are usually welcomed warmly.
- Christianity (mostly Protestant, with a Catholic minority) is woven into daily life; Sundays are quiet, with many businesses closed and church attendance high.
- A relaxed, unhurried pace ('island time') prevails; punctuality is loose and patience is expected, especially around official processes and flights.
- Frigatebird catching and keeping is a traditional practice of cultural pride; do not mock it, and ask permission before photographing people, their homes, or their captive birds.
- Hospitality is generous and food is often shared; accepting offered food or drink is polite, and bringing a small gift when invited to a home is appreciated.
- Dress and behavior are modest by Western standards, particularly near churches and in villages; loud or disrespectful behavior stands out on such a small, close-knit island.
Dress Code
Casual and modest. Lightweight, breathable clothing suits the hot, humid tropical climate. Swimwear is fine at the beach or hotel but cover up in town and villages. Modest dress (covered shoulders and knees) is expected for church services and respectful in residential areas.
Religious Etiquette
Nauru is overwhelmingly Christian, predominantly Protestant (Nauru Congregational Church) with a significant Roman Catholic community. Respect Sunday as a day of worship and rest, dress modestly when visiting churches, and ask before entering a service or taking photos. Avoid scheduling demanding activities or expecting full business services on Sundays.
Common Phrases
- Ekamowir omoHello / welcome (general greeting)
- TubwaThank you
- TarawongGoodbye
- Omo yoran?How are you?
- AiwoYes
- EngaaNo
Highlights
Sports & Recreation
Australian rules football
Australian rules football is widely regarded as Nauru's national sport and is hugely popular, reflecting close ties with Australia; weightlifting is the country's most internationally successful sport, with Nauruan lifters winning multiple Commonwealth Games medals and a strong following. Other pastimes include rugby league, soccer, fishing, and traditional activities. Despite its tiny size, Nauru takes great national pride in competing at the Commonwealth Games and Pacific Games.
National Festivals
- January 31
Independence Day
Nauru's biggest national celebration, marking independence from the UN trusteeship (administered by Australia) in 1968. Expect parades, sports competitions, traditional dancing, music, feasting, and community gatherings across the island.
- October 26
Angam Day
A uniquely Nauruan holiday celebrating 'angam' (meaning to have reached a goal or homecoming), commemorating the times the native Nauruan population recovered to 1,500 people, the number considered necessary for the community's survival after wartime and disease devastation.
- May 17
Constitution Day
Commemorates the adoption of Nauru's constitution in 1968, marked as a public holiday with civic ceremonies and community gatherings.
- December 25 - January 1
Christmas and New Year
Widely celebrated given Nauru's strong Christian faith, with church services, family feasts, singing, and community festivities across the island.
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