Highlights
The island ring road
A single road of about 19 kilometres circles the whole island along the coast, passing villages, churches and beaches. You can drive it in well under an hour or cycle it in a morning, stopping wherever you like.
Topside
The island's raised interior plateau, where phosphate mining has left a strange landscape of jagged grey coral pinnacles. It is a striking reminder of the island's history and the environmental cost of mining.
Buada Lagoon
A small inland freshwater lagoon surrounded by palm trees and houses, one of the greenest and most peaceful spots on the island.
Command Ridge
The highest point of Nauru, only about 70 metres above sea level, with rusting Japanese guns and bunkers from the Second World War occupation and views across the island.
Anibare Bay
A wide bay on the east coast with a white sand beach and a boat harbour. The reef drops off steeply, so swimming is best near the harbour and in calm conditions.
Moqua Well and caves
An underground freshwater lake inside limestone caves in the south of the island, historically an important water source for islanders.
Reef walks and fishing
At low tide, the fringing reef is exposed and you can walk out across rock pools. Deep water close to shore makes game fishing for tuna and marlin a popular pastime, and fishing trips can sometimes be arranged locally.
Interesting facts about Nauru
- Nauru is the world's smallest republic and the third-smallest country by area, after Vatican City and Monaco.
- It has no official capital; government offices and Parliament are in the Yaren district.
- In the 1970s and 1980s phosphate exports made Nauru one of the richest countries in the world per person; most of the deposits have since been worked out.
- Angam Day, on 26 October, celebrates the return of the Nauruan population to 1,500 people after it fell sharply during the Second World War, a number considered necessary for the nation's survival.
- European sailors once called Nauru Pleasant Island; it gained independence in 1968.
Best time to visit
Nauru is hot and humid year-round, with little change in temperature. The drier months are generally from about March to October, while November to February tends to bring more rain, though weather can vary considerably from year to year. Because flights are infrequent, your travel dates will often be set by the flight schedule rather than the weather. Angam Day and Independence Day on 31 January are celebrated with local events.
Practical information
| Capital | No official capital (government based in Yaren district) |
|---|---|
| Currency | Australian dollar (AUD) |
| Languages | Nauruan, English |
| Plugs | Type I |
| Voltage | 240 V, 50 Hz |
| Emergency | 110 police, 111 ambulance, 112 fire; services are small, so also save your accommodation's contacts when you arrive |
| Driving | On the left |
| Tipping | Not customary. |
Getting around
There is no public transport, so most visitors rent a car or arrange transport through their accommodation; driving is on the left on the single coastal road and a few inland tracks. Distances are tiny, so cycling and walking are also practical, though the heat makes midday walking hard work. The airport is on the coast near Yaren, close to everything. Flights to and from Nauru are limited, connecting mainly via Brisbane and a few Pacific islands, so plan your trip around them and confirm accommodation well before you travel.
Staying connected in Nauru
Nauru has a mobile network covering most of the inhabited coastal strip, with 4G available, but speeds and capacity are limited compared with larger countries because the island's internet depends on long-distance links. Topside, inland, may have weaker coverage. Wi-Fi is available at the main hotels but can be slow. Download what you need, such as maps and entertainment, before you go. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land, and expect basic rather than fast service.
See Nauru eSIM plans · How to install an eSIM
Useful apps for Nauru
- Google Maps: Download the island offline before you arrive; a single map covers the whole country.
- WhatsApp: Used to contact accommodation and drivers, and works on slow connections.
- XE Currency: Convert Australian dollar prices to your home currency.