Nauru

Nauru or officially the Republic of Nauru is a small island state in the Pacific Ocean. It shares its water border with the Republic of Kiribati. There is no officially recognised capital city in Nauru. The major city here is Yaren.

Due to its proximity to the Equator, the island has hot and humid equatorial monsoon climate. It is not recommended to come to Nauru from November to February because of frequent rains. The most comfortable weather is during an inter-seasonal period.

The official languages are English and Nauruan. The majority of the locals are the Christians.

The tourists choose Nauru because of its out-of-town resorts and extreme tourism. The water here is very clean and the beaches are isolated. In the coastal areas, the travellers can go windsurfing, yachting, and snorkelling. Nauru is also very popular among the divers due to its coral reefs, underwater caves, and sunken ships. Beginners in diving should choose the waters near the Aiwo harbour. More experienced divers can go to the Anibare bay and the north-western part of the barrier reef ring.

The tourists can go sea fishing and catch a huge yellowfin tuna or marlin.

The country attracts the lovers of event tourism with its unusual celebrations and festivals. In October, the people in Nauru enthusiastically celebrate the Angam Day or the Birthday of the 1.500th citizen of the island.

In Yarena district, the tourists can visit the caves and see a small underground lake. In the center of the island, there is the so-called lunar landscape of the phosphate mining carriers. Active tourists can go hiking to the highest peak of the island, the Command Ridge mount.

Get in

By Plane

There are no direct flights between EU and CIS countries and Nauru. The tourists should make a transfer in Brisbane, Australia and from there take a flight offered by Our Airline.

Cathay Pacific, Malaysia, Emirates, Air France, Austrian, and Etihad offer transit flights to Australia from Europe. Transaero, Cathay Pacific, Turkish Airlines, Malaysia, Belavia, Uzbekistan Airways, and Qantas fly to Australia from CIS.

By Sea

Large cruise ships cannot arrive at the ports in Nauru because of a reef ring surrounding the island. The tourists can get to Nauru from Kiribati or the Solomon islands in smaller passenger ships or yachts.

Visa

The residents of the Russian Federation can stay in Nauru for fourteen days without a visa. The citizens of other CIS countries and the tourists from the European Union, as well as the Russian who want to stay in Nauru for a longer time, must obtain a visa beforehand. They should submit the documents to the Consulate General of Nauru or the Nauruan Customs and Immigration Office. Personal presence is not required and the application for a visa can be sent by fax or e-mail.

It can take 10 to 30 working days to get a visa.

The visa is commonly valid for a month.

Customs

The Customs legislation of Nauru does not restrict the import of currency. The export of national currency is limited to 2.500 Australian dollars (AUD). The export of any other currency is not limited.

The tourists are allowed to bring in the following things duty-free:

• some alcohol and tobacco;
• clothes, shoes, and sports equipment for personal use.

It is strictly prohibited to import:

• food (without a sanitation certificate);
• pets (without permission of the authorities);
• certain medications;
• fireworks and pyrotechnics.

The tourists are not allowed to export:

• plants and animals which are under the protection of the state;
• stuffed animals and birds’ eggs;
• products made of sea shells, corals, birds’ feathers, bones and skins of the animals.

Cuisine

The people of Nauru virtually completely lost their own cooking traditions. Because of the phosphate mining in the 20th century already poor soil became completely unsuitable for growing fruits or vegetables. We only know that the cuisine in Nauru was based on seafood, root plants, grains, and fruits of some exotic plants.

In Nauru, the tourists will not be able to try any authentic dishes. Currently, almost all food products are imported from other countries and usually, these are canned products. Even the seafood harvesting has recently decreased.

The restaurants and resorts specialise mainly in the Indian and Chinese cuisine. In the local eateries, the tourists can have usual European dishes such as pizza or fried fish.

For a dessert, try a coconut pudding, sugared fruits or ice-cream.

A meal is often served with tea, coffee, juices, flavoured milk, and bottled water.

In Nauru, you can try imported famous alcoholic brands.

Money

Australian dollars are in official circulation in Nauru. One dollar is divided into 100 cents. There are 5 to 100 dollar banknotes and 5 to 50 cent and 1 and 2 dollar coins.

The tourists can exchange the currency at banks and in hotels. There are no working ATMs in Nauru.

Visa, American Express, and Diners Club are accepted almost everywhere in Nauru but cash is still preferable. Make sure you have enough cash if you are planning to visit small cities and villages.

One can cash traveller’s checks at banks and in hotels.

The tourists can buy alcohol and cigarettes without paying a tax. The taxation system for other goods is gradually changing.

Details of interest

Sightseeing in Nauru

There are no UNESCO sites or UNESCO candidate sites on the territory of Nauru.

A tour across Yaren district is arranged for the tourists during which they will see the Parliament House, the ruins of the Second World War Japanese fortifications, and bunkers with the samples of weapons. In coastline regions, you can go to the caves and see a small underground lake. In the Arts and Crafts Center, the tourists will see the examples of crafts and the stone tools of ancient people of the island. The National Museum of Natural History contains a rich collection of archaeological artefacts and photos of the pre-war period.

The tourists can take a walk along the only avenue in the Aiwo District. In this district, there are the Nauru Local Government Council Chambers and the Chinatown.

The divers will have a chance to explore some sunken ships in the waters of the Anibare bay.

Palm groves in the Buada District are a true hallmark of Nauru because they grow on a small part of the fertile soil.

The Central Plateau is a popular place among the tourists. Today this is a barren land with whitish rocks, pits, carriers, and fossilised corals. This place is often called a lunar landscape. We strongly recommend you against visiting this place without a local guide as there is a danger to fall into the ground that was processed during phosphate mining.

Excursions to the Command Ridge mount are popular among the tourists. This is the highest peak on the island and it opens a panoramic view of the entire island.

Souvenirs in Nauru

• a special bark tree textile and clothes;
• handmade woven baskets;
• essential oils and perfume;
• sea shell jewellery and wooden beads;
• beach wraps;
• keychains, postcards, and magnets.