Niue Family Itinerary: 7 Days / 1 Week

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How to Get Around Niue in 7 Days

Niue is one island with 123 km (76 mi) of paved roads and no public transport… For this reason, and the reason that attractions are spread out across the island, we strongly recommend hiring a car to make the most out of your family getaway to Niue.

Family Car Rental in Niue

A range of vehicles are available for hire in Niue, from family SUVs to station wagons. Get advice on hiring a car in What You Need to Hire a Car in Niue. Note, you will need to purchase a Niue Driver’s License to drive in Niue, which you can get from the Police Station.

For alternative transport in Niue, see the 11 Ways to Get to (& Around) Niue. Plus, compare the most popular methods in Should You Rent a Car or a Bicycle in Niue?

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Day 1 – Land in Niue and Check-in

Travel time: 5-10 minutes drive.

Fakaalofa Lahi Atu! Welcome to Niue! On arrival at Hanan International Airport, you will go through the airport customs and quarantine processes as explained in Everything You Need to Know About Arriving in Niue, before picking up your rental car.

Visit the kiosk for your chosen vehicle rental company. Alternatively, if you have organised airport transfers with your accommodation, a representative will be waiting with a sign stating either their accommodation or your family name. Then you’ll enjoy a short drive to wherever your accommodation may be.

As Niue is so small, we recommend staying in the same accommodation for the entire week.

Family Accommodations in Niue

• Scenic Matavai Resort
• Scenic Matavai Apartments & Villa
• Namukulu Cottages
• Heleni Jessop’s Fatahega
• Stone Villas
• Tuaga Lodge
• Lalopine Rockhouse
• Taloa Heights
• Yolos Accommodation
• Aleki Guesthouse
• Lialagi Dorm & Units
• Kaliki Lodge
• Joema Place
• Lolani’s Retreat

For more details on our top recommendations, see the 10 Best Family Accommodations in Niue.

Dining and Self-Catering in Niue

Most accommodation on the island is self-catering, where we recommend picking up supplies on your way from the airport. There is the Swanson Supermarket just outside of the airport. Alternatively, there are a few grocery stores in Alofi. Find out more about self-catering in The Guide to Supermarkets & Food Shopping in Niue.

If you prefer eating out tonight, check out the recommendations in the 20 Best Restaurants in Niue. Alternatively, book a table at Kaiika (Alofi) for fresh Japanese cuisine for Mum and Dad and pizzas for the kids.

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Day 2 – Explore Alofi

Travel time: 5-15 minutes drive.

While other visitors are rushing to the island’s popular attractions, we recommend taking it easy today and getting acquainted with the main town of Niue, Alofi. This will allow you to see what services and restaurants are available, as well as book tours through the Visitor Information Centre.

The practicalities won’t take too long though, so you’ll still have plenty of time to experience some of Alofi’s top family-friendly activities!

Things to Do in Alofi with Kids

• Snorkel in the rock pools and a cave at the Vaila Sea Track (best at low tide)
• Get some beach time at the Utuko Reef
• Visit the Fale Tau Taoga (Niue National Museum)
• Check out the vaka and rocky coastline on the Opaahi Sea Track
• Explore the rockpools down the Togalahi Sea Track
• Check out the world’s smallest bay and a cute swimming hole on the Togalupo Sea Track.

For more details and suggestions, check out the 20 Best Things to Do in Niue with Kids!

Dining Recommendations

While you’re in Alofi, be sure to check out some of the fantastic restaurants and cafes. See The Best Places to Eat in Alofi for recommendations. For lunch, delight in paninis, fish and chips and salads in a rustic clifftop setting at the Crazy Uga Cafe. For dinner, discover the Indian cuisine of the Vanilla Cafe or, if you have fussy eaters, Buk Buk Chicken behind the Commercial Centre is a good backup.

(c) niuepocketguide.com

Day 3 – Relax (Sunday Option)

If you arrived in Niue on a Friday, it will mean that today is a Sunday, which is observed as a day of rest by locals. With many of the shops, restaurants, services and tours closed on a Sunday, it’s a good excuse for you to rest too!

Kids always love some pool time, which you can enjoy if you’re staying at one of the accommodations with a pool, such as the stays we list in the 6 Accommodations in Niue with a Swimming Pool. Alternatively, swim at one of Niue’s swimming holes, but avoid doing so near villages when church is in session, which is usually around 9/10 am and 3/4 pm. See more cultural customs in our guide to Niuean Etiquette: Niue Customs & Traditions.

Our recommendation is to go for a swim at Avatele Beach, where the Washaway Cafe is open on Sunday. Kids can enjoy swimming from the beach at low or mid outgoing tide (watch out for currents near the channel and boat ramp). Plus, treat yourself to beer, wine, burgers, pizzas and soft drinks at the serve-yourself honesty bar and cafe!

Dining Recommendations

Washaway Cafe (Avatele) is always a reliable option on a Sunday – see above. The Dolphin Restaurant (Scenic Matavai Resort) usually has something special happening on a Sunday for dinner, such as a smoked barbecue night. Check out the entertainment schedule on arrival.

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Day 4 – Head Out on a Family-Friendly Fishing Charter

Travel time: 5-15 minutes drive.

Fishing is a big deal in Niue as a source of sustenance for the island’s inhabitants. Not to mention, it’s incredibly rewarding and exciting to hook on a fish and reel it in! Wahoo Fishing Charters is a fantastic option for families, where your experienced skipper will head to hotspots for kids to get hooked on smaller fish. Older members of your crew can try their luck at Pacific whoppers like mahimahi or wahoo. Learn more about the experience in The Ultimate Guide to Fishing in Niue.

Alternative Thing to Do: Explore the Alofi Sea Tracks

If a fishing charter doesn’t sound like your thing, then consider exploring the reefs or swimming at one of Alofi’s sea tracks for a free alternative. See the 8 Best Sea Tracks in Alofi for descriptions.

Dining Recommendations

Start your day off with aromatic coffee and an indulgent locally-sourced brunch at Fana Cafe (Swanson Complex). For pre-dinner drinks, All Relativf (Swanson Complex) is a family-friendly cocktail bar that’s well worth popping in at some point during your trip. Afterwards, head down to Jenna’s Restaurant (Alofi) to see what’s on the blackboard menu of this rustic eatery.

(c) niuepocketguide.com

Day 5 – Jump on a Snorkelling Boat Tour with Niue Blue

Travel time: 10-20 minutes drive.

Get your wildlife fix by watching acrobatic spinner dolphins year-round or even majestic humpback whales between July and September on a family-friendly snorkelling tour with Niue Blue. The team can curate the ultimate trip with a wealth of equipment at their disposal, such as transparent boogie boards, snorkelling gear and more. Check out some lesser-visited snorkelling spots and, depending on the ability of everyone, there may be an opportunity to swim with whales and dolphins. Tours are suitable for ages 5 years and up. Learn more in The Best Guided Snorkelling Tours in Niue.

Alternative Thing to Do: Whale/Dolphin Watching From Shore

If your little ones are too little, then don’t worry, there’s still the opportunity to spot whales and dolphins while you are in Niue. What’s more, this opportunity is free!

Whales (seen between July and September) and dolphins (year-round) can be admired from the shores! While many accommodations have their own whale and dolphin-watching decks, there are signposted lookouts along the west coast of the island which also provide fantastic viewings. Take a picnic to lookouts, such as at the Hikutavake or Makefu sea tracks, as well as a pair of binoculars (not essential but does make for better viewing) and enjoy some family bonding time over scouting for dolphins and whales!

Dining Recommendations

You’ll have likely worked up an appetite from snorkelling, so refuel on fish and chips either from Cafe Tavana (Alofi Commercial Centre) for lunch or the Crow’s Nest (Alofi Commercial Centre) for dinner.

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Day 6 – Explore Avaiki Cave and Palaha Cave

Travel time: 10-30 minutes drive.

Only accessible at low tide, Avaiki Cave is a large cathedral cave with safe swimming in the cave pool. Snorkel among coral and fish in this impressive limestone cave! Just down the road (or connected by the reef at low tide), Palaha Cave is a fantastic cave to explore with magnificent limestone formations. Be careful that rock surfaces are often slippery. For more caves to explore, see The 10 Best Caves in Niue.

Dining Recommendations

Have the kids tried the smoothies and fresh sandwiches at the Vaiolama Cafe (Alofi) for lunch yet?

Tonight, try some authentic Niuean dishes, from sweet takihi to lupe (pigeon) risotto, as well as child-friendly options, at the Manuiz island buffet. Bookings are essential. For more umu buffets to try, check out schedules in The Ultimate Guide to Niue Nightlife.

(c) Niue Tourism

Day 7 – Visit the Limu Pools, Matapa Chasm, the Talava Arches and More!

Travel time: 10-30 minutes drive.

A few days after arrival flights to Niue is the perfect time to visit some of Niue’s best snorkelling and swimming spots for kids when they are a little quieter.

A must-do for families is the Limu Pools. Located nearby the village of Namukulu, the pools are best visited at mid to full incoming tide for older kids that want to do a bit of cliff jumping and some deeper water for snorkelling. The best time, if you have little ones, is at low tide when the pools are nice and shallow!

Travel a little further north on the west coast to the village of Hikutavake and you’ll find the Matapa Chasm and the Talava Arches. If the tide is still low or mid-tide, we recommend heading to the Talava Arches first.

The Talava Arches Sea Track is a 30-minute walk along a rocky path until you reach a limestone cave. Keep an eye on enthusiastic children, helping them to use the guide ropes through the caves to the viewpoint of a magnificent coastal arch. You can walk on the reef under the arch at low tide. There is also a narrow channel at the bottom of the reef, lined with beautiful coral for great snorkelling.

Return on the Talava Arches Sea Track the same way, then head down to the Matapa Chasm, just a seven-minute walk! This is another amazing swimming and snorkelling spot that can be enjoyed at any tide.

For more family-friendly swimming spots, see the 8 Best Sea Tracks & Places to Swim in Niue for Kids.

Dining Recommendations

Since you’re in the area, it would be rude not to treat the family to lunch at the Hio Cafe & Bar (Tuapa) with its wood-fired pizzas, fish tacos, burgers and Niuean tasting platters.

If you arrived on a Friday, today is Thursday and happy hour at the Vaiolama Cafe (Alofi South) starts at 5 pm with family-friendly DJ entertainment and irresistible grill-style cuisine.

Again, timings change all the time in Niue, so be sure to pick up an entertainment schedule from the Visitor Information Centre when you arrive.

(c) niuepocketguide.com

Departure Day

All good things come to an end, so Day 8 of your Niuean getaway is the day to pack up your bags, check out of your accommodation and start the airport departure process.

The departure process in Niue is a bit of a lengthy one due to the small airport with limited staff, so be sure to read Leaving Niue: The Niue Airport Departure Process for a full guide on what to expect.

After checking in your baggage in the morning, perhaps have one last bit to eat at your favourite cafe in Alofi or head down one last Alofi sea track before returning your car rental at the airport car park, leaving the keys in the car.

You’ll then depart on your flight to Auckland.

© Niue Tourism

Alternative Itinerary: Niue Relaxing Family 1-Week (7-Day) 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 the Ebony Rainforest Tour
• Day 6 – Catch the uga (coconut crab) presentation at the Scenic Matavai Resort
• Day 7 – Enjoy a day in Alofi and snorkel at Utuko Reef
• Departure Day – Get prepared for departure on an exciting and unusual Niue plane day.