Tuvalu Travel Guide: Funafuti, Lagoon Life & Getting There

A By Anna · Updated 20 October 2026 · 3 min read

Airports

Funafuti International (FUN)

Flight time

about 30-36h from London to Funafuti, usually with two or three stops

Best time to go

May-October (drier season)

Currency

Australian dollar (AUD) and Tuvaluan coins

Tuvalu is a Polynesian nation of nine islands in the central Pacific, north of Fiji, with a population of around 11,000. Most of its land is less than three metres above sea level, and it has become a symbol of the threat climate change poses to low-lying nations. Visitors find a friendly, unhurried place where people gather on the airport runway in the evenings to play sport, chat and cool off when no plane is due.

It is one of the least visited countries in the world, attracting a few thousand travellers a year, often country collectors. Cars drive on the left (though most people ride motorbikes), plugs are the Australian type I, and Tuvalu is 11 hours ahead of the UK in summer and 12 hours ahead in winter. This is one of our Oceania guides covering where to go, when to visit, getting there and costs in 2026.

Entry requirements

British passport holders do not normally need a visa in advance. A visitor visa is usually issued on arrival, valid for up to a month, provided you have a passport valid for at least six months, an onward or return ticket and proof of accommodation. Medical facilities are very basic. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking.

Where to go in Tuvalu

Fongafale and Funafuti

Funafuti is the capital atoll, and Fongafale is its main islet, a narrow strip of land with the airstrip, government buildings, shops and guesthouses. You can see most of it by scooter in an afternoon. Visit the philatelic bureau, as Tuvalu's stamps are collectors' items, the small handicraft centre and the local maneapa (meeting hall), and join locals on the runway at sunset.

Funafuti Conservation Area

Covering the western side of the lagoon, this marine reserve protects reefs, turtles and uninhabited islets with white sand and palms. Boat trips can be arranged through your guesthouse or the conservation office, and the snorkelling and birdlife are the highlight of most visits.

Outer islands

Islands such as Nukulaelae, Nanumea and Vaitupu are reached only by government cargo and passenger ships that sail infrequently, sometimes taking several days. Visiting needs plenty of time and flexibility, and a local contact helps.

Best time to visit Tuvalu

Temperatures stay around 28-31 °C all year.

Getting to Tuvalu from the UK

The only scheduled flights are with Fiji Airways from Suva's Nausori Airport (SUV) to Funafuti, taking about two and a half hours, usually a few times a week. To reach Fiji from the UK, fly via Australia, New Zealand, Asia or North America, then connect on a domestic flight or by road from Nadi to Suva if needed. Allow 30-36 hours in total. Tuvalu pairs naturally with Fiji or Kiribati.

Getting around

Funafuti is small, and the easiest way around is a rented scooter or bicycle, often arranged through your guesthouse. There are a few taxis. Boats are needed for the conservation area and the outer islands.

Money and costs

Tuvalu uses the Australian dollar alongside its own coins. Accommodation is limited to a hotel and a handful of guesthouses, usually around AUD 100-200 a night. A daily budget of about AUD 150-250 (about £75-125) per person covers a room, food and scooter hire. There are very few ATMs and cards are rarely accepted, so bring enough cash. Tipping isn't customary.

We research every guide carefully, but prices, opening times and timetables change. Check them shortly before you travel. Links to our booking partners are affiliate links.