7 Days in Nauru
Trip Overview
Seven days on Nauru split evenly between lazy Pacific beach hours, somber history walks, and reef swims at sunset. You'll loop the full 19 km coastal ring road twice, first by scooter to get your bearings, then on foot at island speed to trade stories with locals. Mornings favor reef snorkeling and prowling the phosphate cliffs. Afternoons slide into shaded lagoon dips and rust-flaked WWII relics. Evenings settle at family-run barbecue stands where smoke drifts across coral dust. Pacific rhythm prevails: doors stay shut until 9, siestas are sacred, and the day beats to tide tables, not clocks.
Pace
Relaxed
Daily Budget
$80-120 per day
Best Seasons
April to October (dry southeast trade winds)
Ideal For
First-time Pacific visitors, WWII history enthusiasts, Beach campers, Solo travelers seeking quiet
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A complete plan for every day of your trip
1
Touchdown & Buada Lagoon
Aiwo District to Buada Lagoon
Land, grab a scooter, and dive into Nauru's single freshwater lagoon before the sun slips away.
Morning
Nauru International Airport arrival & scooter rental
Step off the plane into wall-thick humidity that smells of jet fuel and frangipani. The lone baggage belt rattles while returning islanders are folded into loud hugs. Walk 200 m to Capelle & Partner hardware. Scooters wait, kick-starts echoing off tin walls.
No reservation needed. Pay cash only
Lunch
Bay Restaurant at Menen Hotel
Afternoon
Buada Lagoon swim
Ride inland past phosphate pinnacles that blaze white against rust-red soil. The lagoon snaps into view: a flawless oval of jade water hemmed by pandanus. Slide through cool layers tasting faintly of guava leaves while kids cannonball from rope swings.
Ask permission at nearby house. Bring small gift
Evening
Menen Hotel sunset beers
Pull up a plastic chair facing west. The sun falls straight into the Pacific, dusting phosphate clouds in pink.
Where to Stay Tonight
Aiwo District (Od'n Aiwo Hotel)
Central scooter access to both coast and interior phosphate roads
See all Nauru accommodation options →Top up the scooter at Aiwo fuel station before 4 pm, pumps shut early and tanks often run dry.
Day 1 Budget: $95
2
Anibare Bay Sunrise & Reef Drift
Anibare District
Dawn reef snorkel followed by beachcombing the longest sand stretch in Nauru.
Morning
Anibare Bay snorkeling at high tide
Wake at 5:30 to crimson streaks over the bay. Wade through champagne-warm water. Brain corals rise like submerged cities while parrotfish crunch audibly beneath. The reef shelf drops abruptly into cobalt depths.
Bring own mask, no rentals available
Lunch
Anibare boat shed barbecue
Afternoon
Beach drift from Anibare to Ewa
Walk the full 7 km arc of powder coral sand. Low tide uncovers WWII shell casings and bright blue starfish. Fishermen mend nets under palms, radios spitting island music.
Start by 1 pm to beat incoming tide
Evening
Local fishing boat departure point
Meet the boats at 5 pm to buy the day's catch, haggle with gestures and laughter.
Where to Stay Tonight
Anibare District (Ewa Lodge beach fales)
Fall asleep to reef crash 20 m from bed
See all Nauru accommodation options →Check beneath beach almond trees at dusk for coconut crabs, they're fearless and enormous.
Day 2 Budget: $75
3
Phosphate Ghost Towns & Command Ridge
Central Plateau
Explore abandoned mining settlements then climb Nauru's highest point.
Morning
Drive through abandoned cantilevers at Topside
Throttle up the steep phosphate road, the air turns cool fast. Rusted conveyor belts dangle like dinosaur bones over moonscape craters. White dust coats every surface. Only distant generators break the hush.
Ask any Topside resident for gate access. Offer cigarettes
Lunch
Yaren District corner store
Afternoon
Command Ridge hike & WWII guns
Clamber through scratchy vines to Nauru's 65 m summit. Japanese coastal guns stare seaward, barrels pitted and orange. The 360° sweep shows the whole island: coral ring, turquoise lagoon, phosphate scars like white tears.
Start before 2 pm to avoid afternoon cloud build-up
Evening
Yaren sunset from phosphate cliff
Sit where phosphate rock meets jungle, watching frigatebirds ride updrafts
Where to Stay Tonight
Yaren District (Yaren Hotel family room)
Close to parliament house for early morning photo walk
See all Nauru accommodation options →Bring flashlight, plateau roads have no lighting and scooter headlights are weak
Day 3 Budget: $85
4
Boe District & Airport Reef
Boe and surrounding reef
Learn traditional fishing then cook your catch over coconut husk fire.
Morning
Traditional outrigger fishing lesson
Find Uncle Jesse at Boe boat ramp. His weathered hands teach pandanus-line weaving, show how to feel for octopus holes with bare feet. The outrigger glides over glass water. Flying fish skim past like silver arrows.
Arrange night before through Od'n Aiwo reception
Lunch
Cook catch on beach
Afternoon
Snorkel Airport Reef runway extension
Where the runway meets reef, concrete blocks have seeded artificial coral gardens. Moorish idols flash between pylons. The underwater quiet is broken only by jet engines during the weekly arrival.
Check flight schedule, snorkeling prohibited during operations
Evening
Boe community volleyball
Join pickup game at sunset. Games are serious but laughter-filled
Where to Stay Tonight
Boe District (Boe family homestay)
Experience real Nauruan evening routine of rice cooking and island gossip
See all Nauru accommodation options →Bring reef shoes, coral cuts get infected quickly in tropical heat
Day 4 Budget: $100
5
Uaboe to Ijuw Coastal Walk
Northern coast
Full day coastal trek visiting tide pools and hidden coves.
Morning
Uaboe tide pools at low tide
Start at 6 am when the exposed reef becomes a 100 m wide aquarium. Neon nudibranchs inch between anemones. Thumbnail octopus jet ink clouds. The reef reeks of iodine and drying seaweed. Blowholes fire salt spray skyward.
Check tide charts at fisheries office day before
Lunch
Ijuw District roadside stall
Afternoon
Coastal bouldering to Ijuw
Scramble over black volcanic ridges that separate pocket beaches. Each cove delivers a surprise: a rusted fishing boat, petroglyphs, or a perfect shell hoard. Heat climbs. Waves crash louder by the hour.
Bring twice the water you think you need
Evening
Ijuw sunset cook-up
When a local family invites you to share reef fish cooked in an underground oven, say yes immediately.
Where to Stay Tonight
Ijuw District (Ijuw Beach bungalow)
Only accommodation directly on the northern cliff edge
See all Nauru accommodation options →Start walk wearing long sleeves, coastal rocks shred skin by hour three
Day 5 Budget: $80
6
Central Nauru Hospital Reef & Aiwo Market
Aiwo District
Morning reef therapy followed by proper Nauru shopping and sunset beers.
Morning
Snorkel Hospital Reef
Enter the water opposite the pink hospital building. The reef drops straight to 15 m where reef sharks patrol. Coral gardens look like submerged bonsai. Surgeonfish schools move like choreographed dancers.
Hospital security may grumble, smile and explain you're admiring their reef.
Lunch
Aiwo Central Store
Afternoon
Aiwo market & phosphate loading dock
Buy island cabbage and tiny bananas from women in flower-print dresses. Walk to the phosphate loading dock where conveyor belts creak in emptiness. The scale dwarfs everything. Rust stains resemble dried blood.
Market closes at 2 pm sharp
Evening
Republic of Nauru Brewery
The tour closes with a cold beer tasting. The brewery occupies a converted phosphate warehouse.
Where to Stay Tonight
Aiwo District (Return to Od'n Aiwo for final night)
Pack luggage and enjoy hotel's reliable WiFi for flight check-in
See all Nauru accommodation options →Buy beer straight from the brewery, cheaper than any bar and they take foreign currency.
Day 6 Budget: $90
7
Final Reef & Departure
Any favorite spot
Last swim at your preferred beach, pack memories, depart.
Morning
Return to favorite beach for farewell swim
Pick Anibare for long sand or Hospital Reef for fish. The water feels warmer once you know it's goodbye. Local kids practice spearfishing. Their laughter skims across reef flats. Salt dries tight on your skin.
None needed
Lunch
Airport café
Afternoon
Airport departure
One baggage check, one gate, no security line. Jet-fuel fumes mingle with gardenia from leis. Through the departure lounge window you watch your scooter being ridden away by the next renter.
Check in exactly 2 hours before, earlier and you'll wait outside
Evening
Departure
None
Where to Stay Tonight
Nauru International Airport (None)
Departure day
See all Nauru accommodation options →Keep 20 AUD cash for departure tax, card machine often broken
Day 7 Budget: $45
Practical Information
Everything you need to know before you go
Getting Around
A scooter is non-negotiable, there's no public transport and taxis are rare. Capelle & Partner charges about $20/day. The 19 km ring road circles in 30 minutes. Interior roads to Topside need 4WD, but most sights are scooter-friendly. Carry cash for fuel. Pumps close early.
Book Ahead
Only accommodation needs advance booking, just 3-4 small hotels exist. Arrange fishing trips the day before. Brewery tours need 24-hour notice.
Packing Essentials
Pack reef shoes, mask/snorkel (no rentals), sunscreen (pricey locally), headlamp, strong insect repellent, cash (no ATMs), waterproof bag for boat trips, and a sarong for village visits.
Total Budget
$600-800 for 7 days including accommodation, food, transport, activities
Customize Your Trip
Adapt this itinerary to your travel style
Budget Version
Stay in homestays ($25-40/night), eat at roadside stalls, skip the brewery tour, walk instead of scoot on days 4-5. Total cost falls to $400-500.
Luxury Upgrade
Book all of Ewa Lodge ($150/night), set up a private boat to outer reef, charter fishing, and sunset dinners on Anibare, expect $1200-1500 total.
Family-Friendly
Pick Od'n Aiwo connecting rooms, stick to Anibare and Hospital Reef for safe swimming, hire a car with driver instead of scooters, and pack snacks as kids' food choices are limited.
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