The Guide to Planning a One-Week Trip to Niue for Families
Looking for a family holiday in the South Pacific with the perfect balance of rest and adventure? Niue offers a getaway like no other, busy resorts and kids’ clubs for a quiet coral atoll with natural swimming pools, amazing snorkelling and more. Start planning a getaway with the kids with this guide to a one-week family trip to Niue.
In this family vacation plan, you’ll find a proposed itinerary (or two), as well as advice on where to stay, how to get around, what to do and where to eat.
One Week in Niue (A Relaxed Itinerary)
Remember that a holiday is your opportunity to relax too, so take a look at the proposed itinerary below listing just one or two activities per day for a laidback pace. Things to note about this itinerary is that you will be staying in the same accommodation for the week and an extra day is added due to the irregular flight schedule.
- Day 1 – Arrive in Niue and check-in at your accommodation
- Day 2 – Swim at the Limu Pools
- Day 3 – Enjoy a pool day at your resort/accommodation
- Day 4 – Walk to the Talava Arches and snorkel with the fish
- Day 5 – Learn how to survive in the wild on Misa’s Nature Tour
- Day 6 – Catch the uga (coconut crab) presentation at the Scenic Matavai Resort
- Day 7 – Enjoy a day in Alofi and play clifftop mini golf
- Departure day – Get prepared for departure on an exciting and unusual Niue plane day.
One Week in Niue (An Active Itinerary)
If the above itinerary doesn’t have enough going on for you or you’d simply like to see a detailed alternative, then check out the more active family itinerary below.
See the full itinerary: Niue Family Itinerary: 7 Days
© NiuePocketGuide.comWhere to Stay
Families have a diverse range of accommodations to choose from, including apartment complexes, holiday homes and one resort. Some accommodation recommendations include:
Namukulu Cottages – Located nearby child-friendly swimming spots like the Limu Pools, Namakulu Cottages offers modern and airy one- and two-bedroom bungalows surrounding an outdoor swimming pool.
Scenic Matavai Resort – The one and only resort in Niue features two outdoor swimming pools, a pool bar, a restaurant and elevated decks ideal for watching whales and dolphins. Interconnecting rooms are available with all your standard international-style hotel amenities.
Matapa Guest House – This holiday home is located by some of Niue’s top swimming spots, whale watching sites and sea tracks. It is a small yet comfortable two-bedroom house with a double bed in each bedroom. The hosts offer cultural lessons and tours.
Scenic Matavai Apartments & Villas – A confusion for many, the Scenic Matavai Apartments & Villas is actually 1.5km (one mile) away from the Scenic Matavai Resort. Guests can still use all of the facilities of the resort, as well as the facilities provided at this oceanfront apartment complex.
For more information about these accommodations and others, check out the 10 Best Family Accommodation in Niue.
© NiuePocketGuide.comHow to Get Around
Admittedly, families in Niue have a very limited choice when it comes to transport. In short, you have the options of:
Car rental – With quiet and paved roads, renting a car is the most popular way for families to get around Niue. Car rental companies offer pick-up/drop-off anywhere on the island. Find out more in The Guide to Car Hire in Niue.
Accommodation transport – Many accommodations in Niue offer free airport transfers for guests, taking you to and from the airport. Some accommodations offer their own car rental or bicycle hire.
The Taxi – The closest thing you’ll find to public transport is the island’s one-and-only taxi, affectionately called “The Taxi”. The vehicle easily fits a family of up to six or seven. Learn more in The Guide to Taxis in Niue.
Need more information? Check out How to Get Around Niue.
© NiuePocketGuide.comWhat to Do
Aside from lapping up the tropical sun, Niue offers an excellent balance of relaxation and child-friendly adventures. Some of the top recommended experiences for families include:
Swimming at the Limu Pools – While there’s a wide array of swimming and snorkelling spots in Niue, the Limu Pools is the most family-friendly. Learn more about them and more in the 8 Best Sea Tracks & Places to Swim in Niue for Kids.
Walking through caves and snorkelling at the Talava Arches – A fantastic adventure for older kids, the Talava Arches Sea Track takes you to a magnificent coastal arch with limestone caves and a safe swimming channel.
Cultural activities – Two fantastic cultural activities for families include Misa’s Nature Tour and the Friday morning assembly at Niue Primary School. Additionally, there are entertainment nights and cultural presentations at the Scenic Matavai Resort throughout the week.
Whale and dolphin watching – See dolphins swimming in their pods close to shore throughout the whole year and whales between July and September/October. There are many dedicated lookouts for watching whales and dolphins, offering a child-friendly alternative to swimming tours. Check them out in the 10 Places to Spot Whales in Niue.
For more activities to add to your itinerary, see the 10 Things to Do in Niue with Kids.
© NiuePocketGuide.comWhere to Eat and Drink
Although most accommodations in Niue have self-catering facilities, making it easy to stick to a budget, there is also plenty of family-friendly restaurants to treat yourselves to. Be sure to book a table at the following:
Vaiolama Cafe – This clifftop cafe boasts an array of fabulous cakes, fresh sandwiches, cabinet food, as well as some amazing smoothies and milkshakes. They also have an 18-hole mini golf course on-site.
Dolphin Restaurant – The restaurant of the Scenic Matavai Resort is open for guests and casual diners alike. They have kid’s options on their a la carte menu or book in for one of their buffet and entertainment evenings.
Cafe Tavana – A family go-to for affordable fish and chips. The lovely local ladies serve up amazing fresh fish, chips and salads, as well as a range of affordable burgers. Try their cassava chips for something totally tropical!
Slush – Refresh with an ice-cold drink from this slushie bar in the Alofi Commercial Centre. Choose from a range of creative and colourful slushies, smoothies and frappes, or opt for one of the fridge drinks to be “slushed” for you!
Check out more recommendations on where to dine in The Guide to the Best Eats & Restaurants in Niue. Plus, get more tips on self-catering in The Guide to Food Shopping in Niue.
More on Planning a One-Week Family Trip to Niue
- Niue Family Itinerary: 7 Days
- The Guide to Niue for Families
- How to Pick the Right Family-Friendly Accommodation in Niue for You
That’s it for how to plan a one-week family trip to Niue. Get even more family trip-planning advice in The Travel Guide to Niue for Families, as well as activity inspiration from the 10 Things to Do in Niue with Kids.
