What to see in Nauru: 10 must-sees
Discover what to see in Nauru: 10 must-see destinations, from Anibare Beach to Yaren. Predominantly beach and city; each entry includes the best time to visit and the link to its official source.
Beach(8)
Follow the trail down to Anibare Bay and reach the busiest stretch of white sand in Nauru, formed in part by crushed coral. Swim in the transparent water and snorkel over the reefs that line the coast, where tropical fish are visible at shallow depths. Stroll along the shore as the waves break hard, since the surf here also draws bodyboarders. Stay until sunset, when local fishermen head out in their boats and the beach fills with Nauruan families.
Explore Buada Beach, a stretch of white sand in southern Nauru where there is almost never anyone around. Snorkel over the corals close to shore, with clear water that lets you see the fish without venturing far from the coast. Walk along the shore at sunset, when the sun sinks over the Pacific and the breeze cools the midday heat. It's a good spot for an unhurried swim and some rest away from the bustle, with the calm typical of the world's least-visited island. Bring your own snorkel gear and enough water, since you won't find services or rentals in the area.
Sail to Ijuw Beach on Nauru's northeast coast and swim in transparent waters over coral reefs close to shore. Snorkel among tropical fish, walk on the nearly deserted white sand, and take in the rocky headlands that frame the bay. Bring your own gear, as there are no rental services, and enjoy the calm of this remote corner of the Pacific.
Step onto Meneng Beach across the pale sand and look out at the reef that fringes this stretch of Nauru's coast. Snorkel over coral near the shore, with reef shoes if the bottom is sharp, then walk to the WWII remains that still lie among rocks and vegetation. Stay until late afternoon, when the sea changes color and the district settles into quiet.
Walk the white sand of Aiwo, the beach closest to central Nauru, and step into the crystal-clear water with your mask to snorkel among the corals growing just offshore. The fine sand and the calm sea invite you to swim unhurried, while the breeze cools the coast. At sunset, the view over the Pacific and the district's tranquil rhythm reveal the island's most serene side.
Discover Nibok Beach, the liveliest in northern Nauru, where the coral reef comes almost to the shore. Snorkel among the corals in the crystal-clear water typical of this coast, stroll along the fine sand, and gaze at the Pacific horizon without crowds. Since this stretch is frequented by the residents of Nibok district itself, you'll get a glimpse of everyday island life: fishermen, families by the sea, and boats on the reef. Bring reef shoes and snorkel gear, as Nibok has no tourist services.
Head to the northern coast of Nauru, where Uaboe Beach hides stretches of white sand and a reef just a few meters from shore. Snorkel over rarely explored corals, walk barefoot along the casuarina pines, and stay until the sun goes down. Bring reef shoes: the seabed mixes volcanic rock with coral fragments. Here hardly anyone disturbs you—only the waves, the occasional crab, and the wind combing through the foam.
Walk along the white sand of Boe Beach, the liveliest in southern Nauru, and step into the crystal-clear water with snorkel gear to swim among the corals close to shore. Stroll the coastline to the rhythm of the waves, gaze out at the open Pacific, and watch locals from the district gather here as evening falls. The fine sand and calm sea invite an unhurried swim, while the breeze cools the hours of intense heat typical of this equatorial island.
City(1)
Explore Yaren, the world's smallest capital, a coastal strip in southern Nauru where parliament, the ministries, and the small airport are concentrated within a few kilometers. Walk to Buada Lagoon, a freshwater lake surrounded by palms and banana trees inland, then stop at Anibare Beach to the east, with its pale sand and strong waves. See the remains of the Japanese WWII bunker and ask local fishermen about fishing at sunset. In less than a day you can walk around the entire district—something impossible in any other capital on the planet.
Natural(1)
Walk along the shore of Buada Lake, Nauru's only inland lake, set in Buada district among palms and former phosphate lands. Its brackish waters feed algae beds and attract birds that rest by the shore, easy to spot as you follow the trail around it. The water is slightly salty because seawater seeps into the lake through the porous coral. Ask a local from the district: many used to raise tilapia here in small ponds.
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