Tokelau Transportation Tips by ollyf

'Mode': TO
Category: Ship/Boat
Getting TO/AROUND: The ONLY scheduled method of travelling to, from and between Tokelau is on board the cargo ship MV Tokelau, which operates a round trip from Apia, Samoa approximately twice a month.

The schedules are not announced very far in advance and are very changeable, and it is not possible to pre-book your trip by more than a few days. Consequently, you really have to arrange a long-ish stay in Samoa in order to arrange a trip to Tokelau, otherwise you risk missing your chance due to the boat being overbooked or the schedules changing to an inconvenient date.

It is about a day and a half from Apia to Fakaofo, and the ship then traverses between the three atolls for a week before starting the return journey. The journey time between each atoll is slightly less than a day each way. The whole round-trip usually takes nine days.

There is only one cabin available, with two single beds, and this will almost certainly be booked well in advance by somebody important, so in all likelihood you will have to sleep on deck.

Three meals a day and unlimited drinking water are included in the price, but there is no entertainment, so take reading material. Also take some fruit and snacks, because the food is AWFUL.

It is possible but difficult to get to Tokelau by private yacht, and you still need a visitor's permit before arrival, otherwise you will not be welcome. There are no harbours anywhere in Tokelau, so you would have to drop anchor offshore.

All travel to Tokelau is administered by the Tokelau Apia Liaison Office (TALO) in Apia, Samoa. Any taxi driver can take you there.

Leave a Comment

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Ship/Boat
Getting TO/AROUND: The MV Tokelau is not only the one way to get to Tokelau, but the only means of getting AROUND the country, too.

The cargo ship calls at each atoll a few times during a one-week period between arrival and departure from and to Samoa. It takes just under a day to travel one way from atoll to atoll. You can get on and off as you wish during the day, but require permission from the relevant island chief if you want to stay overnight anywhere - otherwise you can stay on the boat.

Leave a Comment

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Ship/Boat
Getting TO/AROUND: There are no harbours anywhere in Tokelau, so the boat drops anchor offshore and is met by a metal dinghy from the particular island, which transports people and cargo to and from land.

Leave a Comment

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Ship/Boat
Getting TO/AROUND: Mr Luciano Perez, the owner of the Luana Liki Hotel in Nukunonu, has a boat available for charter. He can take you to visit his family's island, Sydney Island, and for a tour of the atoll.

Leave a Comment