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MyPassportStory › Destinations › Tuvalu
🇹🇻Things to Do in Tuvalu
From the Funafuti Conservation Area's marine life to Funafuti atoll's wartime airstrip - the essential sights, and how to keep your own record of them.
Travel guide - last updated September 2026
Tuvalu is the fourth-smallest country in the world by both land area and population, a chain of low-lying coral atolls that rarely rise more than a few meters above sea level - a fact that makes it a frequently cited symbol of climate change vulnerability. Very few visitors make it here, which is itself part of the appeal for travelers drawn to the world's least-visited places. Here are 3 places worth building a trip around.
Top attractions
The sights most first-time visitors build an itinerary around.
Funafuti Conservation Area
A protected area covering part of Funafuti's lagoon and several uninhabited islets, with clear water for snorkeling among healthy reef fish populations.
📍 Funafuti Atoll
🚉 The reserve is on the western rim of the atoll, reached by boat from Fongafale in about 30 minutes - trips are arranged through the Kaupule office, as there is no scheduled service.
Funafuti's WWII Airstrip
The main atoll's runway was built by US forces during WWII and doubles as Funafuti's central gathering space when no flights are scheduled, with rusting wartime relics still found nearby.
📍 Funafuti Atoll
🚉 The airstrip is the island's central feature and doubles as the town's public space between the two flights a week - Fiji Airways operates the only scheduled service, from Suva.
Fongafale Islet
The narrow, densely populated main islet of Funafuti atoll, walkable end to end in under an hour, offering an unusually direct look at daily life on a low-lying atoll nation.
📍 Funafuti Atoll
🚉 Fongafale is 12km long and a few hundred metres wide: everything is walkable or a short motorbike ride, and the borrowed scooters that fill the airstrip in the evening are the local transport.
Mark Tuvalu, get the stamp
In MyPassportStory, every country you mark - visited, lived in, or still on the list - becomes a stamp like these in your own travel passport. Add the cities you stopped in, draw the route between them, and turn the whole trip into a shareable passport-style image.
Open MyPassportStoryPlanning questions
How many days do you need in Tuvalu?
3-4 days covers Funafuti thoroughly - flights to Tuvalu are infrequent (typically just a couple per week), so trip length is often dictated by the flight schedule.
What's the best time to visit Tuvalu?
May-October is the drier season with lower cyclone risk, generally the more comfortable time to visit.
Is Tuvalu good for a first-time visit?
It's extremely off the beaten path - tourism infrastructure is minimal and flights are limited, so it suits travelers specifically seeking one of the world's least-visited countries rather than a typical first Pacific trip.
Do I need a visa to visit Tuvalu?
Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival for short tourist stays. Check the official visa information for your nationality: gov.tv.
What are some things to do in Tuvalu on a tight budget?
Snorkeling the Funafuti Conservation Area with your own gear and walking Fongafale islet cost nothing beyond the trip itself, though the limited flights to Tuvalu are a significant fixed cost regardless of budget.
Can I rent a car in Tuvalu, and what licence do I need?
There is essentially nothing to rent, and no need: Fongafale is a strip of land a few hundred metres wide with one road, and motorbikes and bicycles - often borrowed rather than hired - are how everyone moves. A handful of vehicles can be arranged informally through guesthouses. The real planning constraint is that Tuvalu has only a couple of flights a week from Fiji, so a missed or cancelled service costs days. Confirm everything with your accommodation before travelling.