Packing Essentials for Niue
What are the things you can’t forget to pack for Niue? You already know you need some sunglasses and probably a few pieces of undies, but what else are absolute essentials? Although we have a complete packing list in What to Pack for Niue: A Full Packing List (which you absolutely need to browse through, by the way), there are some handy items and essentials that are worth talking about in detail. We go through them all in this list of the essentials to pack for Niue!
1. Your Passport
(Duh!) Ok, this is a bit of a silly one, but we have seen people showing up at the airport having forgotten the single most important travel document there is. To visit Niue, your passport must be valid for at least three months after your arrival date to Niue in order to be granted entry into the country. It is also mandatory to have your accommodation booked for the length of your stay. We’ve got much more tips in our Niue Visa Guide.
(c) niuepocketguide.com2. Sarong (Paleu)
This long piece of fabric can be worn by both men and women in Niue. Being a religious nation, it is not well accepted to wear your shortest shorts and especially not your bathing suit when in public – even for guys in their boardshorts! So if you are planning to do a bit of a road trip around Niue, from rock pools to villages and so on, having a sarong or what is locally called a “paleu” with you will make sure that you respect the local customs. Plus, paleu are made of very light fabric making them a treat to wear in the high Niuean heat. If you can’t find one at home, you’ll be able to find one at the airport market on arrival or at one of the quaint clothes and gift shops on the island.
If you are interested to learn more about the subject, we’ve got a full article on Niue Etiquette: What is the Local Customs in Niue?
(c) niuepocketguide.com3. Reef Shoes
Forget soft sands, this is the “Rock of the Pacific”! While you will want to spend a lot of time on the coast, note that the coastal landscape is rocky, full of reefs and the limited beaches are made of coarse coral sand. Walking on these surfaces is extremely uncomfortable in bare feet so reef shoes are one of the most essential items to pack for Niue to make your coastal exploration more enjoyable. Luckily, we’ve put together some recommendations in the 10 Best Reef Shoes for Niue.
Check out more essential clothing to pack in What Clothes to Pack to Travel Niue.
(c) niuepocketguide.com4. Day Pack
Because Niue is a land of adventure where travellers head to “do” things rather than relax by the pool all day, it is quite important to pack a decent day pack that can handle all of the adventures you’ll get up to in Niue. It needs to follow you on walking trails, cave explorations and even on the water when looking for whales.
Check out our other baggage recommendations in What to Pack for Niue: A Full Niue Packing List.
© NiuePocketGuide.com5. Seasickness Pills
And speaking of heading on the water, if you or somebody in your travel tribe is not comfortable on the water, consider getting yourself a pack of seasickness pills. Niue is absolutely amazing on the water with world-class fishing and unique whale swimming. It would be a shame to miss out because you are too busy “feeding the fish”.
We’ve got more tips on What to Pack in Your First Aid Kit for Niue at the ready.
© NiuePocketGuide.com6. Snorkel Gear
Keeping in the same vein as above, you WILL want to jump into the pristine waters of Niue. With no natural runoff, the island offers snorkellers some of the clearest waters in the world. The visibility is unbelievable and the coral and fishlife are incredibly colourful. This is what Niue is all about! If you are visiting during the whale season you will also be able to jump on the water with the largest mammals in the world. Do we need to say more?
Having your own snorkel gear means that you will be able to have the most comfortable equipment and you’ll always be prepared for the snorkelling opportunities around the island. While many operators and accommodations will be able to provide you with rental equipment (see The Guide to Snorkelling in Niue), often your own gear provides a better experience.
Our favourites are by TUSA Sport, as they are made with high-grade pure silicone and have a high-flow purge valve that makes clearing your snorkel a breeze. They also do kids’ masks too!
© NiuePocketGuide.com7. Swimwear
Yes, that’s right, we are sticking with the water gear. Believe us, you will not get enough of the Niuean underwater world, so you’ll be happy you came equipped, as the swimwear offering on the island can be quite limited. Ladies will be advised to avoid anything too revealing and opt for more modest swimwear that can be nicely paired with a paleu (see above).
More clothing tips can be found in What to Wear in Niue: Clothes Packing List.
(c) niuepocketguide.com8. Travel Towel
And after all that underwater exploration, one will need to dry themself. Not that letting the sun dry the saltwater droplets off your increasingly golden skin is a bad option per se, but a microfibre travel towel gets the job done in no time. Although some accommodations offer complimentary towel hire to take around the island, having your own microfibre towel means that it will roll up super small in your daypack and will not smell. We use 4Monster Microfibre Towel if you need to be pointed in the right direction.
© NiuePocketGuide.com9. Reef-Safe Sunscreen
We know it’s pretty obvious but we rather say it a lot than not say it at all. The sun in Niue hits hard at any time of the year with UV levels ranging from high to extreme, depending on the season. You will be impressed by the amount of sunscreen that you’ll go through during your trip. Apply every three hours and after drying off from swimming. Luckily, we’ve got your back with The Best Sunscreens for Niue + Sun Protection Tips.
(c) niuepocketguide.com10. First Aid Kit
When travelling to the tropics, it is usually all paradise. However, when things go wrong, they could quickly get worse. For this reason, it is a great idea to pack a well-stocked first aid kit. You are in luck, as we dedicated a full article to What Medication to Pack in Your First Aid Kit for Niue just so you can manage should anything happen. We’re no boy scouts but we like to “be prepared”.
© NiuePocketGuide.com11. Rashies (Rash Vest)
As mentioned, you’ll likely be spending a lot of time on the water, which is, quite frankly, hell to manage sun protection! We’d rather spend more time snorkelling than getting out of the water for a sunscreen top-up. And your kids agree! We strongly recommend adding a rash vest/rash guard/rashie to your packing list. We like Sharkskin for their rapid-dry rashies which have SPF 50+ protection, come in fully recyclable packaging and are saltwater, chlorine and UV-resistant so can be used for many more holidays to come.
© NiuePocketGuide.com12. New Zealand Dollars
The official currency of Niue, New Zealand Dollars is essential to have available while visiting Niue. Although plenty of vendors accept credit cards and debit cards from New Zealand, cash is by far the most accepted form of payment. As there are no ATMs and very few places where you can withdraw cash (and when you do, it comes with a fee), it’s best to have a supply of cash with you.
For much more of a deep dive into the subject, check out What is the Best Way to Pay in Niue?
© NiuePocketGuide.com13. Mosquito Repellent
In a country that has had the odd outbreak of Dengue Fever, having some mosquito repellent is absolutely essential for your trip to Niue. Although there are some coastal areas where mosquitos aren’t quite as bad, it’s always a good idea to have some repellent with you, especially on plantation/rainforest tours. You’re bound to come across those annoying little buzzies sooner or later!
See our recommended repellents in the 10 Best Insect Repellents for Niue and alternative mosquito control methods in the 10 Ways to Avoid Mosquito Bites in Niue.
© NiuePocketGuide.com14. Purification Water Bottle
It’s hot and humid in Niue, so you’ll feel the need to drink a lot of water. While old-school travellers will find that continuously buying bottled water is the safest way to avoid any water-borne diseases, reusable purification water bottles like Lifestraw are actually much more convenient and will end up saving you money in the long run. That way, you can refill your water bottle at any tap in Niue and have peace of mind knowing that there’s an effective purification filter inside. We have used them in all of the South Pacific Islands without fault!
Learn more about the water quality in Niue in our guide, Is the Water Safe to Drink in Niue?
© NiuePocketGuide.com15. Driver’s License
Planning on hiring a car? You absolutely need your overseas driver’s license. Driver’s licenses are needed to apply for the Niue Driver’s License and therefore hire a vehicle. Learn more about the requirements for renting vehicles in What You Need to Hire a Car in Niue.
© NiuePocketGuide.comMore Essentials to Pack for Niue
That’s it for our list of essentials to pack for Niue. For more on the packing list, make sure you scroll through the following guides:
- Everything You Need to Know About Arriving in Niue
- 5 Best Travel Adapters for Niue
- How to Get a Tourist SIM Card in Niue
Finally, get more essential tips for your holiday using the 30 Tips for Travelling in Niue.
