Free/Cheap Activities in Niue
Relax, Niue is not a destination of tourist traps and having to pay for every little thing. Niue is an affordable piece of paradise where most of the main attractions are 100% free! From walks leading to epic coastal landscapes to snorkelling in unbelievably clear waters, from crafting lessons to cultural performances and more, Niue is proud to share what makes it special for free… or at least very very cheap! Check out some of the most affordable highlights in this list of free and cheap things to do in Niue!
Plus, for more budgeting advice, see The Guide to Niue on a Budget.
1. Walk the Sea Tracks
Niue’s coastline is hidden with small coves, magnificent caves, dramatic chasms, picturesque beaches, limestone pinnacles, huge arches and more. How can you find them? Down the many sea tracks throughout the island! Yes, sea tracks lead the way to some of Niue’s most amazing coastal landscapes, whether it’s a 30-40-minute walk to the Talava Arches or the Togo Chasm or a two-second walk to the quaint Tamakautoga Beach. Needless to say, the Niue sea tracks will fill your Niue getaway with awe-inspiring sights. What’s more, they’re free to visit!
Location: Check out some of the top sea tracks and their locations in the 10 Best Sea Tracks in Niue
(c) niuepocketguide.com
2. Go for a Snorkel
Admittedly, this point comes hand-in-hand with the point above, as many of the sea tracks lead to sensational snorkelling spots. While some accommodations and dive operators offer snorkel gear hire, it’s highly recommended that you bring your own to make the most of Niue’s clear waters teeming with corals and tropical fish. Top snorkelling spots include the Matapa Chasm, Limu Pools, Talava Arches, Hio Beach and more! All of which, are free to visit!
Location: See the location of each free snorkelling spot in the 10 Best Places to Snorkel in Niue
(c) niuepocketguide.com
3. Hit the Bike Trails
Not only is cycling in Niue a good way to get to some of the closer attractions to your accommodation (after all, the entire road around the island is stile 64km/40 miles!), but Niue also holds some fun trails in the tropical forest. That’s right, there are about four official bike trails in Niue that are old 4×4 trails where you can discover a part of the island that very few travellers get to see. Plus, with bike hire only being around NZ$10-$30 a day, it can definitely be classed as a cheap thing to do in Niue! Learn more about biking in The Guide to Mountain Biking in Niue.
Location: Bike trail maps can be picked up from the Tourist Information Centre. Alternatively, see The Best Bike Trails in Niue for information
(c) Niue Tourism
4. Watch the Local Women Weaving (and Give it a Try Yourself)
Niuean women are renowned for their weaving skills and making fabulous necklaces known as “kahoa hihi”. Watch the women in action at the Niue Council of Women weaving group taking place in Makini Hall, Alofi, every Wednesday. The Council of Women also hosts an interactive weaving group at the Scenic Matavai Resort where you can make your own woven coaster on Mondays from 10am to 12pm. The session is free for guests, but casual visitors will need to enquire with reception about availability.
Location: Niue Council of Women, Makini Hall, Alofi. Interactive weaving session, Scenic Matavai Resort, Tamakautoga
(c) Niue Tourism
5. Mingle with the Locals in the Niue Market
The Niue Market in Alofi is the place to be on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning. Locals get together to sell local produce, natural health products, jewellery, clothing and all sorts of unique souvenirs. Even if you don’t have the budget to purchase anything, checking out the market is a priceless cultural experience and opportunity to mingle with the locals. See more free things to do nearby in the 10 Free & Cheap Things To Do in Alofi.
Location: Niue Market or “Markete” building, located next door to the Tourist Information Centre in Alofi
(c) niuepocketguide.com
6. Watch Whales and Dolphins from Shore
While there are some incredible boat tours allowing you to have close encounters with whales and dolphins, a free alternative is heading to one of the coastal viewpoints and watching them from there! Between July and September/October, humpback whales can be seen in Niue’s waters emerging at the surface and flipping their flukes close to shore. Pods of spinner dolphins swim in unison around the island all year round. The lookouts along the west coast of Niue are great places to keep an eye out for wildlife. Some whale watching sites have coin-operated binoculars but only the Tomb Point binoculars work (and can be used for free).
Location: Check out the best wildlife lookouts in the 10 Places to Spot Dolphins in Niue and the 10 Places to Spot Whales in Niue.
(c) niuepocketguide.com
7. Visit the Historic Sites
With human settlement on the island since 900AD, Niue has racked up a number of interesting historical sites that are well worth a quick visit (and are also free)! For instance, Tomb Point in Alofi is where you can see the tombs of two kings and learn more about Niue’s World Wars involvement. The Laufoli Umu Pit on the east side of the island is an ancient cooking pit with an interesting legend behind it. Taue I Fupiu in Mutalau Village is the site of a traditional fortress, and so on!
Location: Check out 10 Fascinating Historical Sites in Niue for locations
(c) niuepocketguide.com
8. Stargaze in Some of the World’s Darkest Skies
Being an isolated island in the South Pacific, Niue offers effortlessly amazing stargazing. Away from any large towns producing artificial light pollution, the skies are some of the darkest you’ll find in the world (and that’s why Niue is being considered as an International Dark Sky Reserve, so watch this space)! Even from Alofi, the stargazing is vivid late into the night, but find yourself a spot with no light at all and you’ll be amazed!
Location: Just about anywhere in Niue!
(c) Niue Tourism
9. Watch Cultural Dancing and Singing at a Local Primary School
Got some free time on a Friday morning? The Niue Primary School in Paliati invites visitors to their morning assembly. Get an insight into the Niuean way of life and watch what the school kids have in store for you, whether it’s cultural singing, dancing or something else! The assembly starts at 8.45am.
Location: Next to the Niue High School in Paliati, approximately 1.5km (one mile) from Alofi along the Alofi-Liku Road (the turn-off next to the Police Station)
(c) Niue Tourism
10. Go to a Sunday Church Service
When fishing trips, whale tours, scuba diving trips and cultural tours close for Sunday sabbath, there’s still one thing you can do on this day of rest. The churches of Niue come alive with beautiful harmonious singing from the locals! Visitors are invited to join Sunday services, where even those who are not religious can still enjoy the spiritual and cultural experience. Remember to wear your Sunday best!
Location: See churches locations and mass times in the 5 Best Churches in Niue to Experience as a Visitor
(c) niuepocketguide.comMore Free and Cheap Things to Do in Niue
