Nauru, the world's least visited country — what's there to see and do?
Nauru is a small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, 3000 km northeast of Australia. It is also the third smallest country in the world, after Monaco and Vatican. The island's population of approximately 12,000 people (as of 2018) welcomes around 200 tourists a year, so it may be called the ultimate off-the-beaten-track destination. You are unlikely to find almost any tourist amenities, attractions, or accommodations here. Instead, Nauru offers a unique experience of staying on a secluded tropical island. Visit Nauru's official site http://www.nauru.gov.nr/ to see what is the island's life like now.
Get to Nauru
The island has only one airport and is serviced by only Nauru Airlines. Flights take off from Brisbane, Nadi, Pohnpei, and Honiara once to thrice a week. Sometimes, flights may be postponed or cancelled. As the place is rather remote, you may expect high ticket prices.
Obtain a visa
In case you are not a citizen of Cook Islands, Fiji, Israel, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Tonga, Tuvalu or Vanuatu, you require a visa. Application is possible either through the Nauruan Visitors Office or the Nauruan Press Office at the United Nations. Another option is to send an inquiry to the e-mail address principal.immigration@naurugov.nr or visa@naurugov.nr. Remember that the procession may take a long time, so inquire in advance. In the return letter, you receive an application form that you must fill out and send over with a copy of your passport. The latest known visa fee was 100 Australian dollars; this price is paid upon arrival. Note that you may bring no more than 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 450 g of tobacco, and three bottles of spirits.
Climate
As Nauru is located almost on the Equator, season changes are minimal. The only thing that should be considered is the wet season, from November to February. During these months, torrential rains and thunderstorms are frequent. Other times, the temperature is always around 25-30 ºC.
Nature and sea
The sea around Nauru is shallow and has many coral reefs. Moreover, most of the shore is bordered by rocks. Due to this, there are almost no swimming spots on the island. The only exception is Anibare Bay, a white-sanded beach with clear water, a favourite place among the locals. You can also try fishing here, renting a boat through the Equatorial Gamefishing Charters company.
The only clearwater source on Nauru is the Buada Lagoon, which is, unfortunately, too dirty and shallow to be a good swimming spot. Still, this place is excellent for taking photographs and enjoying nature, including various wildlife.
Much of the island's territory is a so-called «moon landscape» left after phosphate mining. The surface is partially covered with vegetation and includes some old vehicles and mining equipment, which may be considered inaesthetic. However, industrial tourism enthusiasts may find such a landscape exciting.
Transportation
As Nauru's size is only 21 square km, there is almost no public transport, except for the island bus travelling around Nauru hourly. The trip price is 50 cents. The 19-km coastal belt road can be driven in just about 25 minutes, which equals 3 hours of cycling or 6 hours of walking. You may try to hitchhike, as it is rather safe and common here. If you manage to find a car (there are no rentals on Nauru), beware of the left driving and the necessity to have an international driver's licence.
Accommodation
There are two hotels on Nauru: Menen Hotel, the largest one, with 119 rooms, two restaurants, and the only bar on the island; and Od'n Aiwo Hotel, the less expensive one, with fewer rooms and two restaurants; this is also the tallest building on Nauru. The supermarket complex of Capelle & Partner Ewa Lodge offers seven self-catering apartments and five rooms.
Dangers
The island is said to be safe, though wild dogs wandering here may be dangerous to passers-by. Because of this, avoid walking the dark roads at night or carry a stick to defend yourself. Also, it is advisable to avoid tap water.
Places to visit and things to do
Along with Anibare Bay and Buada Lagoon mentioned above, several other landmarks are worth visiting.
Aiwo Harbour is a port used by cargo ships transporting phosphate and importing all kinds of goods. Mining is less active today than it used to be, so this place is not in bloom. However, two plants are still in operation and can be observed, along with a railway that delivers the phosphate to the ships.
Command Ridge is a place of interest for history buffs. The limestone ridge is perforated with plenty of tunnels and caves, which have been used as fortifications during the war. The highest point of the island (63 m above sea level) contains some relics from the times of WWII left by the Japanese troops and the ruins of a prison complex. The former communications centre is open to the public and offers many curiosities to discover.
Government buildings are situated in the Yaren district, next to the airport. Look at the Parliament House, one of Nauru's most significant landmarks.
Nauru Museum is devoted to the island's history and culture; entry is free. The collection includes some WWII artefacts.
You may want to take a photograph of the only traffic lights on Nauru — next to the airport, where it is used to stop transport and let the plane cross the road to the terminal.
Take a tour to a phosphate mine organised by the Nauru Phosphate Corporation.
Places to eat
The majority of products are imported to Nauru from Australia. Thus, dishes served here may seem overpriced or different from the original versions. As Nauru is a tiny island, listing all the major eateries available is quite possible.
The most luxurious option is Antinas, located in the Yaren district. The restaurant serves seafood and is one of the few places on Nauru with alcoholic beverages.
Mid-range options include Anibare, set at Menen Hotel, offering seafood dishes and international cuisine; Oriental, having the same location, offering Asian cuisines, such as Thai, Indian, and Chinese; Reynaldo's, next to the airport, offering Chinese cuisine and also having alcohol on the menu; and the Bay Restaurant, set in Anibare Bay, reviewed as the best on the island, serving fish dishes along with Indian cuisine and pizza.
Some budget options are Kasuo, a Chinese restaurant next to Aiwo Hotel, or fast-food kiosks, like the one located near Capelle's supermarket.
The only Nauru bar is Reef Bar at Menen Hotel. The place has music and pool tables and is very popular among the locals. However, there is a certain dress code that prohibits beach-style clothing.
Facts to know before the visit
Official languages are Nauruan and English, the latter of which is used by everyone.
The currency used on Nauru is the Australian dollar (AUD). You may need to take some cash because credit cards are only accepted in some places. Moreover, there is only one ATM on the island (at the Capelle & Partner department store), and the only bank is often closed.
Nauru maintains the Australian processing centre for asylum seekers, and it is prohibited to photograph this place.
In summary, the island of Nauru is certainly one of the most exotic and exclusive destinations worldwide. If you are interested in paving the path off the track and are eager to explore the unknown, welcome to Nauru. Experience island life far away from the rest of the world — once you walk the plank, you will surely have a trip of a lifetime!