What to Do on a Sunday in Niue
Sunday is a sacred day in Niue, which is reserved for rest, church and relaxation. It is prohibited to go boating, scuba diving or fishing on a Sunday, while many locals choose to not run tours or open for business. So what can you do on a Sunday in Niue? It’s still Ok to go swimming and exploring, as long as this is respectful to the Sunday church sessions that are in progress, as explained in Niue Etiquette: What are the Local Customs in Niue? A select few restaurants are open on Sunday, as well as Niue’s golf course. We go through the things to do in Niue on a Sunday in the list below.
1. Go to a Niuean Church Service
Do what the locals do on a Sunday and go to church! Niuean church services are something else, with beautiful harmonious singing echoing through the village churches in the morning and afternoon. Visitors are welcome to experience a church service, just be sure to dress appropriately. Usually, it’s a good idea for men to wear pants and a collared shirt, while women should wear long or knee-length skirts. See the 10 Best Churches in Niue to Experience as a Visitor for churches to visit, as well as their Sunday service times.
Location: All over Niue! See the link above for specific locations.
(c) niuepocketguide.com2. Explore the Sea Tracks
Sunday is a good time to explore Niue independently, checking out some of the amazing sea tracks leading to all sorts of chasms, caves and snorkelling spots. Hit all of the points in the 25 Best Sea Tracks in Niue. However, avoid going down sea tracks near a church or a village green while the church is in session as per Niuean custom.
Location: All over Niue! See the link above for specific locations.
© NiuePocketGuide.com3. Play Golf
Sunday is a good day to check out Niue’s nine-hole golf course. The Niue Golf & Sports Club, opposite Hanan Airport, has an honesty box so just pay the green fees and help yourself to the fun course winding through the coconut trees. You will need to bring your own clubs, but these can be hired from the Visitor Information Centre (get them on Friday, as they are not open on a weekend). Find out more about golfing in paradise in The Complete Guide to Golf in Niue.
Location: Tapeu-Porritt Road opposite Hanan Airport, Alofi, west side of Niue.
(c) niuepocketguide.com4. Check Out the Washaway Cafe
Sundays are your only chance to experience Niue’s famous honesty bar and cafe. The Washaway Cafe in Avatele Bay is an honesty bar where you simply write down your food order for the chefs and help yourself to drinks at the bar. When you’re done, tell the bar staff what you had and pay. Too easy! The Washaway Cafe is open from 11 am until everyone goes home.
Location: Avatele Beach, signposted from the main road in Avatele, southwest coast of Niue.
(c) niuepocketguide.com5. Hit the Bike Trails
Niue has five fantastic bike trails exploring the bush and coast of the island. Sunday is a good time to enjoy this independent activity, just make sure that you hire bikes the day before as bike hire companies will be closed on Sunday. See The Guide to Mountain Biking & Cycling in Niue for more details.
Location: All over Niue! See the 5 Best Bike Trails in Niue for specific locations.
(c) niuepocketguide.com6. Spend the Day By the Pool
If you were looking for a pool day, then Sunday would be it. Accommodations like the Scenic Matavai Resort, Taloa Heights and Namukulu Cottages have a swimming pool with plenty of loungers to relax. Learn more about these stays and more in The Accommodations in Niue with a Swimming Pool.
(c) niuepocketguide.com7. Enjoy a Self-Guided Road Trip
Grab the rental car and hit the road for some Sunday sightseeing, snorkelling and whatever the road has in store. Because we know you like to plan here are Niue Pocket Guide, we’ve put together A Self-Guided Tour of Niue’s East Coast and A Self-Guided Tour of Niue’s West Coast. Again, be aware that you shouldn’t go down any of the sea tracks or swim nearby village churches when church is in session.
Location: All over Niue! Check out the links above for specific locations.
© NiuePocketGuide.com8. Catch Niue’s Famous Food Truck, Fusion Flava’s
Parked up on the side of the road in Alofi on a Sunday afternoon, the Fusion Flava’s food truck begs for your attention. If the spray-painted facade doesn’t get it, then the smell of freshly baked cakes and traybakes, pasta and risotto pots, and whatever the team feels like creating, surely will! Due to the food truck’s limited availability, it’s best to order as soon as possible (they usually start serving at 12 pm), as they sell out fast!
Location: Opposite Vaiolama Cafe along the main road, Alofi town centre, central west coast of Niue.
© NiuePocketGuide.com9. Have Dinner at One of Niue’s Delectable Restaurants
Although most of Niue’s eateries close for lunch on Sunday, it’s game on again once the sun goes down with some fantastic establishments opening up for the evening. Restaurants that usually open on a Sunday evening include Crow’s Nest (for cake night as well as the usual fish and chips!), Hio Cafe, Jenna’s Restaurant and the Vanilla Cafe.
Location: All over Niue! See the locations of the restaurants mentioned above in the 20 Best Restaurants in Niue.
© NiuePocketGuide.com10. Enjoy a Barbecue at the Matavai Resort
Sunday night is “BBQ Night” at the Scenic Matavai Resort in Tamakautoga. Bookings are essential for this event which runs from 6 pm to 9 pm. The chefs of the resort will be on the deck of the Dolphin Restaurant serving up casual food to the sounds of local musicians.
Location: Signposted along the main road just south of Tamakautoga, southwest coast of Niue.
(c) niuepocketguide.comMore Things to Do in Niue on a Sunday
That’s it for the things to do in Niue on a Sunday. For more experiences on specific occasions, take a look at the following:
- What to Do on Your Last Day in Niue
- 10 Things to Do in Niue at Night
- 10 Things to Do in Niue on a Rainy Day
Finally, head to the 101 Things to Do in Niue: The Ultimate List featuring more amazing experiences.
