The Republic of Nauru was in the global spotlight last week for changing its diplomatic loyalty from Taiwan to the People’s Republic of China.

10,000 citizens strong, a small enough country to be explored on a walking trip, this Pacific Ocean island nation accepted China and not Taiwan as a diplomatic partner. This became global news and a success story for Chinese ambition of unity.

Where is Nauru?

Nauru is a Micronesian island in the central Pacific Ocean. It is an oval-shaped, 21 sq. km, raised coral atoll, with a concave eastern side. It lies 42 kilometers south of the equator. The closest neighbor is Ocean Island (Banaba, part of Kiribati), some 300km to the east; about 1300 km northeast of the Solomon Islands; and northeast of Australia with Sydney 4000 km away.

The region of Micronesia lies between the Philippines and Hawaii encompassing more than 2ooo islands in the region. The term “Micronesia” is derived from the Greek words “Mikros” meaning small and “Nesoi” meaning islands.

Nauru is only 21 square kilometres and it’s easy to walk around the entire country in a few hours. The island consists of 14 main districts and is surrounded by white sandy beaches and a coral reef enveloping the island. The reef extends between 50 to 100 meters out to the ocean. Pinnacle like structures jut out of the reef making the scene and natural reef surroundings a unique sight.

The temperature ranges between 24 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius and is kept down by sea breezes which can be felt from most parts of the island.

The Australian Dollar is the official currency of Nauru. The majority of shops, hotels, and restaurants in Nauru do not use credit cards but only a select few use EFTPOS, and cash is the norm.

Approximately 1,000 foreigners and 9,000 citizens reside on Nauru

In the Nauruan flag, the Pacific Ocean is represented in the blue background while the white 12-pointed star symbolizes the 12 tribes of Nauru. The star represents Nauru’s geographical location to the equator which is represented by the yellow line.

The people of Nauru are comprised of 12 tribes namely Eamwit, Eamwitmwit, Eamwidara, Ranibok, Eoaru, Eano, Deiboe, Emangum, Iruwa, Emea, Iwi (extinct), Irutsi (extinct) and are believed to be a mixture of Micronesian, Polynesian and Melanesian descent.

Flying to Nauru

Nauru Airlines is the country’s national airline. It operates direct flights from Brisbane (Australia) and Nadi (Fiji) as well as several other destinations in the South Pacific to Nauru and back.

Accommodation

There are two hotels on Nauru located a few minutes away from the Nauru International Airport.

The Menen Hotel

is a modern, comfortable hotel with various rooms and facilities for its guests.

A trip advisor review says:

This hotel may have been a posh place when it opened decades ago. Now, only a sad reminder of the glorious past is left. What I checked about other options in Nauru, this place might have the best overall value, though.

The room is basic without much to boast about but it was kept clean (when they remembered to do it). The shower did not have hot water, but it is not that big problem in tropical weather anyway. My budget room had a view of the roofs of the next block, and only a slice of the ocean was visible. They were not able to transfer to another budget room, as they were reportedly booked. Apparently by ghosts of previous visitors, as I saw only a handful of other guests there.

The compound looks very dated with stains on the walls and part of the structure looking like it may fall. There is no beach suitable for swimming in the lot, but just outside the fence of the lot, there is a small stretch of beach, which looks like swimmable when the tide is right.

The restaurant looks a bit of a joke. It is a big hall with a third of the space having tables. The “bar” has a limited selection of drinks. The food is very tasty, and waitresses are friendly.

The service attitude of the staff is very good when you get to talk to them in person, but online communication has a lot to improve. What is good, is their complimentary transport on the island from/to the hotel.

– They answer email queries if they feel like it.
– They a answer the phone if they feel like it. Mostly they don’t.
– My room was half-cleaned when I arrived. The towels of the previous guest were hanging in the bathroom, the beds were done by the previous guest, and the bed sheets were not changed.
– There is a proper bar in the hotel, but it seems to be open only on weekends.

Ewa Lodge

The Ewa Lodge is made of modern serviced apartments with all amenities and is located only one minute away from the beach.

Tripadvisor says:

Probably the best place to stay in Nauru with very quiet, clean, and modern rooms. The staff are friendly and efficient and provide a high level of service. There is a supermarket, cafe, and ATM located in the same complex so this is also the most convenient place to stay in Nauru. Capelle and Partner also has a car rental service. There is a small beach and park opposite the hotel.

Food and Drink

For more info, please go to the Plan & Book section of our website.

The Island is well served with supermarkets, cafés and restaurants. There are a number of Chinese and local restaurants available on the island with a few top picks by tourists namely Aterebog restaurant, The Bay restaurant, and Crystal’s Kitchen. Hotels sometimes offer Western food and most international brands of alcohol are available. Bottled water is available. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruits and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.

Transportation

There is no public transport. Car hire is recommended.

Visit the Anibare Bay

Anibare Bay is one of the incredibly beautiful white sandy beaches to relax on along with diving into the blue sea. When you spend a day at this beach, you’ll never want to leave.

Hike the WWII Trails

There are still some abandoned and rusted World War II cannons, bunkers, and guns all over the Island. Hire a local tour guide to explore the trails and remnants of WWII history.

Keong Darar (Noddy Bird Catching)

Keong Darar is a Nauruan tradition of catching noddy birds for food. “Keong” means music/ stereo and “Darar” means bird. Local catchers attract the birds by playing bird sounds on loudspeakers and using a long handle net to capture them. Learn the traditional technique with our local bird catchers.

Explore the ‘Topside’ of the Island

The central plateau of the island, commonly known as the ‘Topside’ area was used for mining phosphate for over 100 years. The area has a rugged lunar-like surface which makes this an interesting place to explore. We recommend you to hire a local guide.

Swim at the Harbour

Visit a popular swimming spot amongst the locals and tourists. The Anibare Boat Harbour located in Anibare District and within walking distance from the Menen Hotel is a hotspot for those wanting to fish and have a dip in the ocean.

Visit the Buada Lagoon

Buada Lagoon is a landlocked lake in the Buada District. It is a pretty spot on the island surrounded by lush green foliage and was earlier used for milkfish farming. Absolutely, a nice place to sit and relax and take in the natural beauty around you.

Visit the Naoero Museum

The Naoero Museum will help you gain an understanding of the Nauruan history, and culture. Various artefacts from the Second World War era are displayed at the museum.

Fishing & Boat Charters

You can hire a boat and head out to the incredible Pacific Ocean from Anibare Boat Harbour or Gabab Channel. Marlin, tuna, and barracuda are just a few of the different types of fish that can be found in Nauru’s waters. You never know, you may be lucky and get yourself a catch.

Go shopping for local crafts

Check out some of the best places to shop for souvenirs and gifts for your friends and families back home. Accessories and jewelry made of seashells & phosphate rocks, as well as artworks and handicrafts, are some of the few things you can purchase from the locals.