A 3 to 7 Night Stay on Nauru
Start with the flight days
Nauru Airlines is the only passenger airline. Because it flies a few times a week, you cannot pick any dates you like. Three nights between rotations is the common stay, and a week suits divers, researchers and travellers who want to slow down. Check nauruair.com before you reserve a room.
Pre-trip checklist
| Item | What to do |
|---|---|
| Visa | Get it approved before you fly. None is issued on arrival. |
| Passport | Valid for at least three months after arrival. |
| Documents | Be ready to show where you are staying and an onward ticket. |
| Cash | Australian dollars only. Cards are refused, and the one ATM at Menen Hotel is often empty. |
| Hotel | Book directly by email or phone. |
Airline staff can refuse boarding if the visa is not in their system, so do not leave this to the airport.
Choosing where to stay
Menen Hotel is the largest, run by the government, with one restaurant and one bar, on the east coast above Anibare Bay. OD-N-Aiwo Hotel stands in the Aiwo district and is the tallest structure in the country. Ewa Lodge and the Goodworks serviced apartments are the other places that take guests.
Day-by-day plan
- Day 1. Land at Nauru International Airport in Yaren, check in, and drive the east coast to Anibare Bay. Walk the sand and stay out of the water. Finish at the Aiwo loaders for the sunset.
- Day 2. Visit Command Ridge in the morning, then cross Topside with a local driver. Walk the road at Buada Lagoon and see Moqua Well. At night, catch a match at Linkbelt Oval if one is on.
- Day 3. Take a fishing charter from Anibare Boat Harbour, or walk the reef flat at low tide in thick-soled shoes. In the afternoon, view Parliament House in Yaren from outside.
- Day 4 onward. Repeat what you liked, add a second charter or a long walk on the ring road, and keep a rest day for the heat.
Divers
There is no full dive shop on the island, so bring a regulator, BCD and dive computer. Ask Menen Hotel about tank fills and boat transport weeks before you fly.
Safety on a longer stay
Normal precautions apply. Cyclones and large swells are most likely from November through May. The east coast has rip currents and heavy surf, and no lifeguards. On Topside the sun is fierce, the rock is sharp and the tracks have no signs.
Booking
Hotels are contacted directly. You can check GetYourGuide for any new Nauru experiences. Read the UK foreign travel advice for Nauru and check flights with Nauru Airlines .
Read more: Day trips in Nauru and the Nauru 5-day itinerary .