Nauru

The Australian offshore detention centre operating on the island means that there are always a lot of Australian government staff staying at the island's two small hotels and filling seats on the flights to and from Nauru (especially the direct flight to and from Brisbane). This, in combination with the visa requirement, means that you probably should plan and book your trip a few months ahead.

Every year, there are on average 200 tourists in Nauru, so it has the honour of being the least touristed country in the world. Crowds aren't a problem at all. There's hardly any public transportation, so your best bet to get around would be in a rented vehicle; car, scooter or bike. Other alternatives are by foot (not very pleasant in the tropical heat and humidity) or hitchhiking, which is quite common on the island.

The official languages are Nauruan, a distinct Pacific Island language, as well as English. However, just about half of the island's population is fluent in Nauruan, and English is widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes. A phrasebook of Dorerin Naoero can be found at Nauruan phrasebook.

The Nauru experience is pretty much the exact opposite of all the typical South Pacific island clichés. If you're looking for sandy beaches, cool ocean breezes, and pristine blue waters, you'll find precious little of the sort. In fact, if you're looking for pretty much anything that can be described as flashy or tourist-oriented, you're out of luck. But don't write Nauru off just yet: its subtle and offbeat charms are waiting for anyone who's willing to take the time to seek them out — and that goes double for World War II history buffs, urbexers, and anyone who's just looking for a slow-paced, low-key, off-the-beaten-path getaway.

• 🌍 Anibare Bay, Anibare district (along the Ring Road). Anibare Bay is the sole exception to the rule cited above about the absence of the classic Polynesian "sandy beaches, cool ocean breezes, and pristine blue waters" experience on Nauru. Here you'll find a fine stretch of white sand surrounded by palm groves, deep and clean enough for proper swimming (among a fantasyland of beautiful coral pinnacles, no less). Anibare is also a great place for seeing the sunrise; at 166°E longitude, Nauru is among the first countries in the world to see a new day. The smaller of Nauru's two ports, 🌍 Anibare Harbour is at the southern end of the bay. Constructed in the early 2000s with Japanese capital, you can watch local fishermen bring their catch to land here. 
• 🌍 Aiwo Harbour, Aiwo district (along the Ring Road). The larger port, used by major cargo ships for exporting phosphate and importing various goods including food and fuel. It was built in 1904 to accommodate the phosphate industry at the same time as the narrow-gauge railway that leads down to Aiwo from the mining area in the middle of the island. At the end of the railway and across the road from the harbour, there are plants for refining the phosphate before it's loaded onto ships along the two impressive conveyor belts on pylons jutting into the sea (as a curiosity, tubes along these structures are used to offload fuel from tankers). The place isn't as lively as in its 1970s-80s heyday, and much of it appears run-down. Still, phosphate mining has defined Nauru for more than a century and together with the mining landscape inland it's perhaps the main attraction of the whole island — especially if you're interested in industrial tourism. 
• 🌍 Buada Lagoon, Buada district (Take the road opposite the Od-N-Aiwo hotel, follow it until it branches and then go left. The road will lead you straight there.). The only body of fresh water on the island, is a very picturesque spot in the lower middle of the island. The lagoon is surrounded on all sides by dense palm trees and other vegetation. The water is dirty and not suitable for swimming, it's still a nice photo opportunity, and you can walk all the way around the lagoon as the sealed road circles it. 

• 🌍 Command Ridge (follow the road opposite the Od-N-Aiwo hotel for about 700 m, then when you reach the top of the ridge turn left and walk along the phosphate pinnacles to the far end of the clearing; the ruins are a short distance into the forest). During World War II, Nauru was occupied by the Japanese military from August 1942 until their surrender at the tail end of the war in the wake of three years of near-continuous Allied air raids. Today, rusting relics from this era are scattered throughout the island — disused Japanese pillboxes line the shore every couple of kilometres, and old cannons can be seen along roadsides barely hidden by forest or even in plain sight between homes. However, for those who want a firsthand look at Nauru's World War II history, Command Ridge (Nauruan: Janor) is the place to go. As the island's highest point, rising to an elevation of 63 m above sea level, it was a natural lookout point for the occupiers — and today you'll find there a bevy of old artillery emplacements (including a pair of six-barrel anti-aircraft guns still pointed skyward), the ruins of a prison complex used to hold interned Nauruan natives (who were treated brutally by the Japanese) as well as five members of the Australian military captured during the invasion, and — most impressive of all — the former communications centre, now open to visitors. The interior is not well lit, but bring in a lantern or torch and you'll still be able to make out faded Japanese writing on the walls. Even if you're not a World War II history buff, Command Ridge is one of the most easily accessed country high points in the world, lying a relatively easy 800-metre hike from the road. (updated Mar 2017)
• 🌍 Government buildings, Yaren district (on the strip between the runway and the coast). Typical of the very smallest countries in the world, Nauru has no "capital city". The government and the president are seated in the Yaren district, near the airport. The parliament house, while definitely not as pompous as many others around the world, is one of the island's major landmarks. You can also go and see a parliamentary meeting, as they are usually open to the public. 

• 🌍 The interior of the island (Topside). The interior of the island is a "moon landscape" as a result of phosphate mining, locals reportedly call the area Topside. This was the source of the wealth of the island, but nowadays much of the phosphate has been dug up (though there is still mining, on a much smaller scale). The remaining limestone pinnacles have partially been covered with vegetation, creating an environment you maybe wouldn't expect of a South Sea island. Some find the landscape exotic and cool, while others think it's sad how the environment first has been ruined by mining, and then "decorated" with old vehicles and mining equipment lying around and rusting away. Finally, the interior of the island also includes the infamous Australian offshore dentention centre, which you may not photograph. (updated Apr 2015)
• 🌍 Nauru Museum. Museum to preserve Nauru's history and culture with WWII artefacts as well. (updated Jul 2021)

Most food is imported from Australia and arrives by ship or air, usually once every six to eight weeks. You can find western and Asian (primarily Chinese) food. Because of the tropical climate dishes might not be as heavy and hearty as the original versions. As not all ingredients may be available, dishes are often rather simple.

Since Nauru is an island nation, seafood is very popular in its restaurants. Cooked and smoked hams are also very popular, as meat is one of their main dishes.

• 🌍 Reef Bar (at the Menen Hotel). The only public bar in Nauru. If you're staying at the other hotel on the island, Od-N-Aiwo, it's about 5.5 km away along the ring road. It serves Australian beers and international spirits. The barroom has a couple of pool tables, satellite TV and recorded music. It's lively at the weekends, as Nauruans are paid on Fridays, and quiet on weeknights. New faces will be enthusiastically welcomed by the locals and the expats will usually have a chat. No flip flops/thongs (enclosed sandals are OK) and men must wear a shirt with a collar. (updated May 2015)

Other than that, restaurants and shops offer soft drinks and some also have alcoholic beverages.

There are two hotels, the more expensive Menen on the east of the island and the budget Od'n Aiwo to the west. In addition to these, the supermarket has guest rooms in the north of the island.

• 🌍 Capelle & Partner Ewa Lodge (Capelle & Partner), ☏ +674 557 1000, cpfinance@eftel.net.au. In Ewa, northwestern Nauru. The supermarket complex offers accommodation seven self-catering apartments and five rooms. $95. (updated May 2015)
• 🌍 Menen Hotel, Anibare District (on the coastal belt road, to the east side of the island and south of Anibare Bay), ☏ +674 557 8020, menenhotel@cenpac.net.nr. The Menen is Nauru's largest hotel, boasting 119 rooms and conference facilities for up to 200. It has two restaurants and the island's only bar. $95-160, suites $255-500. (updated Feb 2020)
• 🌍 Od'n Aiwo Hotel, Aiwo District (on the coastal belt road, to the west side of the island, directly opposite the road inland to Buada), odinaiwohotel@cenpac.net.nr. The less expensive of the two hotels on Nauru. Popular with backpackers, it has fewer rooms than Menen but is still the tallest building on the island. The hotel has two restaurants. US$40-80. 

Nauru is a peaceful island and all kinds of crime are very rare. In emergency situations you can call either the emergency number (117 or 118) or go to the police station, which is near the airport.

While earthquakes are not a risk on Nauru itself, it can potentially be struck by tsunamis resulting from earthquakes along the Ring of Fire, which surrounds the Pacific Ocean.

There are no records of a cyclone ever hitting Nauru, and right at the Equator they are rare. Nevertheless, if you visit during height of the wet season, be prepared for heavy rain and thunderstorms.

There are wild dogs roaming all around Nauru. They are dangerous, and locals have been warned not to walk along dark roads at night.

Water supply in Nauru is dependent on rainwater collected into tanks from the roofs of houses and from an aging reverse osmosis desalination plant. You should avoid tap water.

• Emergency: 118 or 117
• Nauru General Hospital, ☏ +674 555-4302. 

Considering its size and remoteness, Nauru has a decent healthcare system. Aside from the rampant problem of obesity among the population, the infant mortality and life expectation numbers are on par with industrialised nations. There are two hospitals on the island, Nauru General Hospital and RON Hospital, both in the Denigomodu district in the west of the island. However, if you have contracted anything more serious you may have to get transferred to Australia, so make sure you have good travel insurance when visiting Nauru!

The tropical diseases usually encountered in equatorial countries are less of a risk in Nauru, although it's recommended to get a hepatitis B shot. There is a risk of dengue fever, though, so you should protect yourself from mosquito bites.

If you come from a country where yellow fever is endemic or you've visited such a country in the last six days, you need to have proof of yellow fever vaccination.

Nauru is a predominantly Christian country, and Christian values and rules of conduct apply.

• It is illegal to import pornographic material, and the government also blocks access to Internet porn.
• Open displays of affection between same-sex partners may offend some in Nauru.
• The trafficking of drugs and narcotics of any kind will be punished severely.
• The one place on the island that you may not take photographs is the Australian processing centre for asylum seekers.

There are three newspapers in both Nauruan and English; Nasero Bulletin, Central Star News and Nauru Chronicle. Foreign newspapers are non-existent and information from the rest of the world comes from the Internet and satellite television and radio — in fact there's no local broadcasting.

The mains voltage is 240 V/50 Hz, and the plugs are Australian style. Brownouts are quite frequent.

Virtually everyone comes and goes by the local airline and thus your next destination will be Australia or one of the few small Oceanian islands (Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and the Solomon Islands) the local airline flies to. When leaving Nauru, locally produced goods may be subjected to export duties.