A traveler’s guide to Nauru

Nauru is yet another speck of land in the vast archipelago of Micronesia, but this little island is special: it is the world’s smallest independent republic. It is so tiny that it takes about an hour to drive from one shore to the other, but that doesn’t mean that Nauru is not diverse and interesting. The island used to be very rich in the 20th century, thanks to its huge phosphate deposits, but its fortunes took a turn for the worse in 2005.

Today Nauru hasn’t got it too good, but it manages to stay afloat, and it has by no means lost the thinks that made it attractive in the past. Tourist facilities may be minimal, but the natural beauty of the island makes it well worth visiting. Here’s a traveler’s guide to Nauru, for those who want to visit the world’s smallest, and rather underrated country.

Getting there and getting around

Nauru is no longer a tourist hotspot, and the fact that it is difficult to access is one of the reasons why. There are flights to Nauru from Brisbane in Australia via Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, through Nauru’s national airline with the cute name, Our Airline.

Other than these sporadic flights, there’s virtually no way to reach the island. You need a visa to enter Nauru, as well as a proof that you’ve already booked accommodation. Once you reach Nauru, your job is significantly easier. There might not be much in the way of public transport in Nauru, but the island is small enough to explore on bike.

You might be able to borrow a car from locals, but there are no proper car rental services on the island. However, a small community bus circles the island once per hour or so.

Things to see and things to do

Despite its size, Nauru has quite a few sights and diversions to offer. Anibare Bay has the most beautiful tropical beaches on the island, with white coral sand and great waves, although tourist have to be careful of ripcurrents.

The bay is arguably the biggest attraction on the island, although the crowds never get as large as to be uncomfortable. The capital, Yaren, has a few interesting buildings, and pleasant places as well. Buada Lagoon, the only freshwater lagoon on the island, is a scenic place surrounded by palm forests, but not suitable for swimming unfortunately.

However, nice scenery abounds inland, and you only need to rent a bike to explore the country. The highest point of the island is Command Ridge, and you can hike up to the peak to get a good look at Nauru.

 

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