Things to Do in Nauru in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Nauru
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- December sits in Nauru's wetter season, which actually means the island looks its greenest and most vibrant - the vegetation around Buada Lagoon is particularly lush, and the phosphate pinnacles have more dramatic color contrast
- The UV index of 8 is slightly lower than the scorching 10-11 you'd get in the dry months, making outdoor exploration more comfortable in the mornings and late afternoons without feeling like you're being cooked alive
- December is genuinely low season for the handful of tourists who visit Nauru - you'll have Anibare Bay essentially to yourself most days, and the staff at Menen Hotel actually have time to chat and share local knowledge
- The variable weather creates interesting conditions for exploring the island's interior - the occasional cloud cover makes walking around Command Ridge and the phosphate mining areas more bearable than the relentless sun of May through September
Considerations
- Those 10 rainy days mean you're looking at rain roughly every third day, and when it comes, it tends to be heavy and sustained - not the quick 20-minute tropical downpours you might be used to elsewhere, but proper soaking rain that can last 2-3 hours
- December is cyclone season in this part of the Pacific, and while direct hits are rare, Nauru occasionally gets the edges of systems passing to the south, bringing gusty winds and rougher seas that can cancel the limited inter-island boat services
- The humidity at 70% combined with temperatures around 28-30°C (82-86°F) creates that sticky, never-quite-dry feeling - your clothes won't fully dry overnight, and you'll be changing shirts twice a day if you're doing any walking around the island
Best Activities in December
Coastal walking and Anibare Bay exploration
December's cloud cover actually makes the 19km (11.8 mile) coastal road walk more pleasant than during the blazing dry season. Anibare Bay on the east coast has calmer conditions in December compared to the rougher winter months of June-August. The sand is that brilliant white that looks even more dramatic under December's changeable skies. Start early around 6:30am when it's coolest, and you'll likely have the entire beach to yourself. The bay is genuinely one of the most beautiful spots in Micronesia, and in December the water clarity is excellent for swimming.
Buada Lagoon freshwater swimming
This inland freshwater lagoon is one of Nauru's most unusual features - a genuine oasis in the center of the island surrounded by dense tropical vegetation. December's rains keep the water level high and the surrounding forest incredibly green. The water is warm, calm, and a welcome change from the ocean's salt. It's about 2km (1.2 miles) from the main settlement, and the walk through the interior gives you a sense of what Nauru looked like before phosphate mining. The humidity makes this walk sweaty, but the lagoon swim at the end is worth it.
Phosphate mining landscape tours
Nauru's interior is genuinely one of the most surreal landscapes you'll see anywhere - ancient coral pinnacles left behind after a century of phosphate mining, creating a lunar-like terrain of jagged limestone formations. December's occasional rain makes the colors more vivid, and the cloud cover means you can explore without being roasted by the sun. This is Nauru's story in physical form - the wealth, the environmental cost, and what happens when resources run out. Command Ridge offers the best overview of the mined-out interior.
Fishing and ocean activities from Anibare Bay
December sees decent fishing conditions when the weather cooperates, though you'll need to be flexible with timing around the rain. Locals fish from the reef edge at Anibare Bay, and if you're genuinely interested, they're usually happy to share knowledge about techniques and what's running. The bay also offers the calmest swimming and snorkeling conditions on the island during this season. Water visibility is typically 10-15m (33-49 feet) when it hasn't rained for a day or two. The reef here isn't pristine - Nauru's reefs have suffered from warming and past pollution - but you'll see tropical fish, and the experience is more about the setting than world-class snorkeling.
Historical and cultural site exploration
Nauru's WWII history is visible across the island - Japanese bunkers, gun emplacements, and the remains of coastal defenses. December's weather means you can explore these sites without the brutal heat of the dry season. The Japanese railway that once transported phosphate still has visible sections of track. The Nauru Museum, when it's open (hours can be irregular), provides context for what you're seeing. This isn't a polished tourist experience - it's authentic historical sites in various states of decay, which actually makes it more interesting if you appreciate that kind of thing.
December Events & Festivals
Christmas and New Year community celebrations
Nauru is predominantly Christian, and Christmas is genuinely the biggest celebration of the year. Late December sees church services, community gatherings, and family feasts. This isn't a tourist event - it's authentic local culture - but if you're on island during this time and you've built rapport with locals, you might receive invitations to join celebrations. Nauruans are generally welcoming, but respect that these are family occasions. The island essentially shuts down for several days around Christmas, so plan accordingly for meals and activities.