Nauru is the least visited country on earth, and is located in Micronesia east of Kiribati. Unlike many of the other island nations in Oceania, Nauru consists of only one island made from phosphate rock. It has a population of around 11,000 people and is the third smallest country on earth (with Monaco and Vatican City being the first and second smallest). Ever since we ran our first ever “Least Visited Countries Tour” back in 2017, YPT has distinguished itself as one of very few international tour operators specializing in travel to Nauru.
Why visit Nauru?
Though at first glance, we understand the fact Nauru is the least visited country in the world, is reason enough to visit. However, from a traditional tourist perspective, Nauru is home to some fabulous WW2 relics such as the remains of Japanese guns, bunkers, prisons, and pillboxes.
All of these, as well as the beautiful scenery of the island’s coast and Buada lagoon located in its interior. Our travellers can also get a glimpse of how this tiny island country’s government operates by visiting the parliament and office of the president.
Our tours also give you the option to drive, cycle or walk around an entire country. Driving would take around 25 minutes, but what’s the fun in that? Walking the entire island takes around 6 hours but you will come across some of the best scenery in the South Pacific, along with some of the earlier mentioned war relics.
The seafood in Nauru is sublime! Seafood is very popular, with most restaurants offering delicious choices. You’ll find plenty of fresh mussels and oysters, but you can eat pretty much whatever you fancy from the ocean. There are also several well regarded Chinese food restaurants, as well as other options for international cuisine. Combine all of this with a few drinks, golden sands and crystal clear waters, it makes for the perfect remote island paradise setting.
Read more about what it’s like to visit Nauru here.
Independent Travel to Nauru
We offer full day guided tours with our experienced guides. With us you’ll be able to explore every last inch of this island as well as delve into the Nauruan culture. Our guides are especially open to explaining the recent controversial issues that Nauru have faced over the last few years. They’ll also happily answer any difficult questions you may have about these issues.
Many say there isn’t much to do here, but YPT will happily design you a stacked itinerary for you to make the most out of your time on the island.
Getting to Nauru
Being the world’s least visited country, one might imagine that the flights to Nauru are somewhat limited. As of now, the only airline operating flights to Nauru is the country’s national airline, Nauru Airlines.
The current arrival schedule of flights to Nauru is as follows:
Brisbane > Nauru – Thursdays and Sundays
Koror, Palau > Nauru – Saturdays
Majuro, Marshall Islands > Nauru – Saturdays
Nadi, Fiji > Nauru – Sundays
Pohnpei > Nauru – Saturdays
Tarawa > Nauru – Saturdays, Mondays
The current schedule of flights departing from Nauru is as follows:
Nauru > Brisbane – Sunday, Saturday, Monday
Nauru > Christmas Island, Cassidy – Mondays
Nauru > Koror – Fridays
Nauru > Majuro – Fridays
Nauru > Nadi – Thursdays, Saturdays
Nauru > Pohnpei – Friday
Nauru > Tarawa – Mondays, Fridays
Getting a visa for Nauru
For most nationalities, YPT can prepare your letter of invitation (LOI) for you to receive your visa on arrival to Nauru.
Travelling to Nauru
We operate group tours to the pacific islands twice a year in the summer and winter on our Least Visited Countries tour.
Alternatively, we can arrange an independent tour to the country. Please get in touch for a quote.
Our standard itinerary generally runs 3 nights, 4 days, but can be adjusted according to your interests, budget and flight schedule.
Day 1 – Arrive in Nauru
- Arrive into Nauru in the evening (majority of scheduled flights arrive late in the day)
- On arrival in Nauru, meet your local guide, transfer to the Menen Hotel for dinner and drinks.
- Overnight at the Menen Hotel
Day 2 – Nauru
Morning
- The Island Ring Road tour is a great introduction to the Nauru, and our local guides will take you to Nauru’s main hotspots and will relate the history and stories of each stop, including Anibare Bay, Pinnacle Rocks, Ewa Beach, Arubo Catholic Church, Christian Missionary Monument, and Buada Lagoon.
Afternoon
- Lunch break at Anibare Boat Harbour restaurant for some Nauru-style Chinese cuisine. Believe it, or not 8% of people in Nauru are Chinese, and that means great quality food.
- After lunch, you will continue the Island Ring Road tour, topside tour included, with the final spot at Western Bay to see the sunset before dinner and drinks at the Menen Hotel.
- Overnight at the Menen Hotel.
Day 3 – Nauru
Morning
- Ever walked around an entire country? Ok, maybe you have, but have you ever done it in one day? Nauru is the only country in the world where it is genuinely possible to do this in a few hours! It’s about a 6 hour walk at a gentle pace. For those feeling slightly less energetic, we can arrange for scooter rental at an extra charge.
Afternoon
- Back out with our local guides and visit the Naoero museum, the national museum of Nauru. Whilst Nauru is famous for being a country without a capital, it does have a capital village, and we head there to check out the parliament building, high court, and even peek into the President’s office.
- Dinner and drinks at Bayview restaurant, widely considered to be the best bar and restaurant on the island.
- Overnight at the Menen Hotel.
Day 4 – Nauru
Morning
- For your last day in Nauru, you’ll will visit Command Ridge, the highest point on the island and the site of some incredibly well-preserved Japanese cannons from WWII. You will also visit a former phosphate facility to learn more about Nauru’s phosphate mining industry, as well as the remnants of an imperialist Japanese prison.
Afternoon
- After lunch at Blue Ocean Chinese restaurant, we will visit the Post Office (who does not want a post card from the world’s least visited country?) and Capelle shopping centre for fridge magnets, mugs and other souvenirs.
- Evening flight out of Nauru.
