Nauru Things to Do Tips by ollyf

The number one attraction in Nauru is the "moonscape" in the centre of the island, known locally as Topside, where the phosphate mining takes place. After the phosphate is removed, only coral pinnacles are left, which creates a most bizarre landscape. Now that mining operations are scaling down, vegetation is returning to the area, so it is no longer the blazing white wasteland of yesteryear.

There are no tours and no public transport in Nauru so you'll need to either get a local to take you to Topside or have your own wheels. It's too far to walk from "town"or either of the hotels.

Leave a Comment

Address: Buada district
Directions: Take the road opposite the Od-N-Aiwo Hotel and go right when it branches. There are no precise directions and there are many current or former mine sites, so just explore the roads around there. It will be obvious when you reach one of the mines.

Just because it's a Pacific island doesn't mean it's all beautiful beaches! Far from it, sadly. The beaches in Nauru are usually too shallow and rocky to make for good swimming, plus there is danger from strong currents, so you really have to be careful. However there are options if you know where to look.

1) Boe/Yaren beach - this is a nice beach and the shallows are OK to bathe in. You can swim properly in Boe Channel, although its pretty thin and you can't go very far out. It's just a few minutes walk from Aiwo.

2) Anibare harbour - the best swimming spot. A relatively new harbour which sees very little boating activity so it's still very clean and safe. It's also deep and wide, so you can have a proper swim here rather than just a paddle or bathe. It looks gorgeous in the afternoon, too. A short walk from the Menen Hotel or five minutes by car, 25 minutes by pushbike from the Od-N-Aiwo.

3) Aiwo harbour - an older and smaller harbour but also has little activity so your swim is unlikely to get uninterrupted. I've heard stonefish reside on the bottom, though, so don't dive to the sea floor.

4) Anibare Bay - promoted as Nauru's best beach. It certainly looks amazing, with all the coral pinnacles jutting out of the sea, but you'll struggle to find anywhere for a decent swim because most of it is too shallow and rocky. There's a not-bad area on the Menen Hotel-end of the beach. The Bay is a little bit further along from Menen harbour.

Leave a Comment

Moqua Well - I haven't been there but there's an underground lake which is good for swimming and also some caves to explore. I didn't go because I didn't have a torch. But apparently it's worth checking out, so head to Yaren district, then go to the M&M shop to the right of the airport and ask somebody in there to show you to entrance (you won't find it otherwise).

Command Ridge - the highest point in Nauru, from where you can see all around the island, as well as some war relics. Again, I haven't been there because I didn't realise I needed a car and by then it was too late. As with Topside, ask a local to take you or get a car and ask for directions.

Other war relics - there are Japanese pill boxes at various locations dotted around the coast. I also saw some rusted relics on Yaren beach. I just stopped for a look whenever I saw something that looked like a war relic. For more precise info, ask a local.

Do the circuit - A sealed road goes all the way around the island so you can drive, ride or walk around an entire country! A drive takes about 25 minutes non-stop. I guess a pushbike ride would take 2-3 hours and a walk maybe 6 hours. There is lots of nice scenery if not much to do and, going from either hotel, Chappelle's supermarket right at the top of the island in Ewa district makes for a welcome break at halfway around.

Buada Lagoon - a very picturesque spot in the lower middle of the island. It's a freshwater lagoon surrounded on all sides by dense palm trees and other vegetation. However the water is dirty and not suitable for swimming in. Still, a nice photo opportunity, and you can walk all the way around the lagoon as the sealed road circles it. To get there, take the road opposite the Od-N-Aiwo hotel, follow it until it branches, then go left. The road will lead you straight there.

Leave a Comment