Niue Luxury Itinerary: 14 Days / 2 Weeks

© NiuePocketGuide.com

How to Get Around Niue in 14 Days

This Niue luxury itinerary for 14 days (two weeks) includes travel around a 261.5 km² (101 mi²) island. Here’s a quick rundown on how to get around Niue in two weeks.

Car Rental

Niue is an island to explore independently, due to the limited transport options available. To make the most of this 14-day luxury itinerary for Niue, we strongly recommend hiring a car, which we give advice in What You Need to Hire a Car in Niue. Note that you will need a Niue Driver’s License, available from the Police Station nearby the airport.

Alternatively, there are airport transfers, bicycle hire and motorcycle hire on the island available, which will limit what you can do but provide another way of exploring. Learn more in the 11 Ways to Get to (& Around) Niue.

(c) Zhuhai - Niue Tourism

Day 1 – Land in Niue, Check-in at Your Resort or Villa

Travel time: 5-10 minutes drive.

Fakaalofa lahi atu and welcome to Niue! On arrival at Hanan International Airport, go through the airport customs and biosecurity process, as outlined in Everything You Need to Know About Arriving in Niue, then your car rental or accommodation transfer will be waiting outside of the airport for you. With the Police Station nearby, now would also be a good time to pick up a Niue Driver’s License.

When you are ready, check-in at your chosen accommodation. A few recommendations are as follows:

Luxury Accommodations in Niue

• Lau’s Getaway
• Scenic Matavai Resort
• Scenic Matavai Apartments & Villa
• Namukulu Cottages
• Stone Villas
• Tuaga Lodge
• Breeze
• Lalopine Rockhouse
• Taloa Heights
• Anakule

For more information on each accommodation, see the 10 Best Luxury Accommodations in Niue.

Dining Recommendations

Tonight (and every night while you’re here), be sure to treat yourself to the fabulous restaurants available on the island. Dine on sushi prepared by a Tokyo chef at Kaiika and enjoy impeccably presented plates at the Dolphin Restaurant of the Scenic Matavai Resort – just as a couple of recommendations. See The 20 Best Restaurants in Niue for more delectable choices.

(c) niuepocketguide.com

Day 2 – Take an Orientation Tour and Explore Alofi

Travel time: 5-15 minutes drive.

Since Niue is going to be your home in paradise for the next two weeks, it only makes sense to get fully acquainted with it. One of the best ways to do so is with an orientation tour. Join Explore Niue for a guided tour of the west coast, being pointed out all of the best attractions, learning about the history and culture of the island, and getting all the essential tips for making the most of your getaway in Niue. The tour is further explained in The Best Guided Tours in Niue.

Now that you are an expert on the west coast of Niue, spend the rest of the day getting to know Niue’s capital, Alofi. See where the useful services are, book tours and experiences at the Visitor Information Centre, and, of course, dine somewhere fabulous for lunch – see the 10 Best Cafes in Niue.

Dining Recommendations

For lunch, make things simple with well-presented plates from the Dolphin Restaurant (Scenic Matavai Resort) or stop by the rustic cliff-top eatery of the Crazy Uga Cafe (Alofi). For dinner, head into town and enjoy some of the best pizzas on the island at the cosy Katuali Coffee House (Alofi).

(c) niuepocketguide.com

Day 3 – Experience Church and Avatele Beach

Travel time: 5-15 minutes drive.

If you arrived in Niue on a Friday, today is Sunday and a day of sabbath for Niueans. As devoted Christians, many Niueans go to church in the morning and the afternoon where visitors are also invited to join. Enjoy the harmonious singing of the locals for a truly uplifting experience. Check out church recommendations in the 10 Best Churches in Niue to Experience as a Visitor.

After church, you may want to make your way to Avatele Beach where the Washaway Cafe is open for one day a week! The restaurant works on an interesting “honesty bar” concept where you help yourself to drinks, write down your own food order and simply pay at the end. While not exactly “luxury”, it’s still quite the novelty!

Dining Recommendations

As mentioned, the Washaway Cafe (Avatele) is always a reliable option on a Sunday. Alternatively, the Dolphin Restaurant (Scenic Matavai Resort) usually has something special happening on a Sunday, such as a smoked barbecue night. Check out the entertainment schedule on arrival.

(c) Zhuhai - Niue Tourism

Day 4 – Explore the Awe-Inspiring Scenery of the East Coast

Travel time: 1 hour drive.

It’s time to get off the beaten track (as if you already weren’t in Niue) and discover the hidden gems. While Explore Niue can take you on an insightful guided tour of the east coast (a minimum of four is required – see the 5 Best Day Trips in Niue), you can quite easily treat yourself to a road trip in your rental car, discovering highlights like the following…

Anapala Chasm

Starting from the southeast of the island, head to the village of Hakupu and the Anapala Chasm Sea Track. This well-maintained 15-minute trail takes you through lush rainforest and down some steep steps into the depths of an awe-inspiring chasm.

Togo Chasm

Next, travel into the Huvalu Forest Conservation Area where you’ll stumble upon the Togo Chasm Sea Track. This 30-45-minute walk takes you through tropical rainforest where you’ll emerge on top of a limestone pinnacle-dappled coastline. Follow the trail down a ladder and into an attractive sandy-bottom chasm dotted with coconut palms! Return the same way.

Laufoli Umu Pit

Just a few minutes’ drive north of the Togo Chasm, stop at the historic Laufoli Umu Pit. A distinct ditch in the ground can be seen where interpretation signs at the site explain the legends behind it.

Hikulagi Sculpture Park

Browse the creative works of the locals in this outdoor sculpture park, where pieces have been made from rubbish that has washed up onto Niue’s shores.

Uluvehi Sea Track

A perfect little picnic spot, Uluvehi Sea Track has a picnic table with a fabulous lookout on top of the high cliffs. Walk down the sealed road to a couple of shallow limestone caves where fishermen store their vaka (canoes).

While these recommended attractions will keep you busy for the day, there are more nooks and crannies to discover as listed in the 8 Best Sea Tracks on the East Coast of Niue. You can also follow A Self-Guided Day Trip in Niue: East Coast Itinerary.

Dining Recommendations

Start your day off with aromatic coffee and an indulgent locally-sourced brunch at Fana Cafe (Swanson Complex). For dinner, try something different on the eclectic menu of Kaiika (Scenic Matavai Resort) with cooked and fresh Japanese cuisine, as well as sumptuous sourdough pizzas. Book ahead!

(c) Zhuhai - Niue Tourism

Day 5 – Go On a Scuba Diving Excursion

Travel time: 10-20 minutes drive.

You can’t be on an island with some of the world’s clearest waters and not go scuba diving! Niue has PADI-accredited operators who will gear you up and take you out to some magnificent dive sites.

As the island is made up of porous limestone with no lakes or rivers, rainwater filters through the island not only carving out amazing caves, chasms and cathedrals but allowing the visibility to reach as far as 80 m (262 ft)!

Wildlife you may encounter on your dive include painted crayfish, sea snakes, barracuda, countless tropical fish, turtles and more. Swimming with humpback whales is also available with Niue’s dive operators during the wintertime. See The Guide to Scuba Diving in Niue to help plan your dive.

Dining Recommendations

Delight in vanilla-infused coffee at the Vanilla Cafe (Alofi Commercial Centre) or try something else aromatic from their menu of Indian cuisine. Find them open for lunch and dinner!

(c) niuepocketguide.com

Day 6 – Relax and Indulge in a Massage

Travel time: 10-20 minutes drive.

After all of the swimming, walking and snorkelling, now is a good time to treat your body to some R&R. One utterly indulgent way to do that is with a massage either in the privacy of your accommodation or at the cliff-top Maulu Spa (Tamakautoga). Lana will treat you to your choice of treatments, whether it’s a therapeutic massage with natural coconut oil (or something else if you prefer) or a tropical body scrub.

Alternatively, Vilina (Alofi) offers sumptuous facials that will leave you feeling radiant. Learn more about spa treatments in Niue with The Best Spas in Niue.

For the rest of the day, enjoy the perks of your chosen accommodation, whether it’s sipping cocktails by the pool at the Scenic Matavai Resort, drinking your complimentary bottle of wine from your balcony bathtub at Lau’s Getaway, or watching dolphins and whales from the lookouts of Breeze or Namukulu Cottages.

Dining Recommendations

Try some authentic Niuean dishes, from sweet takihi to lupe (pigeon) risotto at the Manuiz island buffet. The bar serves well-priced drinks and your meal is enjoyed to the tunes of a local string band. Bookings are essential.

© NiuePocketGuide.com

Day 7 – Delve into the Forest on the Ebony Rainforest Tour

Travel time: 10-50 minutes drive.

Join a local guide and acclaimed ebony carver, Jack, as you delve into the Huvalu Forest on the Ebony Rainforest Tour.

The casual tour takes you deep into the Huvalu Forest Conservation Area where he’ll show you Niue’s amazing trees, vines and moss and teach you survival techniques for living in the Niue bush. Learn about traditional food and medicine gathering techniques, while Jack guides you through the different properties of the island’s trees including the rare ebony tree, locally known as kieto. You’ll also get to see a few caves that not many tourists get to see, while a real highlight and photo opportunity is exploring Niue’s magnificent banyan (ovava) trees.

Pick-ups for the tour are available from the Scenic Matavai Resort and the Visitor Information Centre in Alofi. See what else you’ll need in the 6 Best Guided Tours in Niue.

Dining Recommendations

If you arrived on a Friday, today is Thursday and happy hour at the Vaiolama Cafe (Alofi South) starts at 5 pm with DJ entertainment and irresistible grill-style cuisine. After you’ve wrapped up your meal, head across the road to Avi’s Ark (behind Kaiika) to try the island’s homebrewed craft beer, as well as get onto the karaoke if that’s what you’re into.

Timings change all the time in Niue, so be sure to pick up an entertainment schedule from the Visitor Information Centre when you arrive, as explained in our guide, Opening Hours in Niue: Odd Hours, Tide Times & Things to Know.

(c) niuepocketguide.com

Day 8 – Delight the Senses at a Niuean Umu Night

Travel time: 10-50 minutes drive.

After a day of relaxing and enjoying some “me time”, treat yourself to one of the Friday night umu nights on the island.

The Scenic Matavai Resort (Tamakautoga) and Lilo’s Restaurant (Hakupu) puts on Niuean Umu Nights where traditional local dishes are prepared in an underground oven in true Polynesian style. Try dishes, such as takihi, povi masima, moa Niue, faikai ika and much more. The resort also has musical entertainment, as well as Polynesian fire dancing, while Lilo’s is a lot more of a local event with authentic Niuean delicacies.

Advanced bookings are essential. Note that umu nights could well change to another night of the week, so be sure to pick up an entertainment schedule on arrival – see Opening Hours in Niue: Odd Hours, Tide Times & Things to Know for more information. 

Dining Recommendations

See above!

(c) niuepocketguide.com

Day 9 – Wake Up to an Exciting Fishing Charter

Travel time: 5-15 minutes drive.

Nothing beats waking up early to catch the sunrise from a fishing charter and, hopefully, catch something else. Niue has a wide range of professional operators running safe and reliable charters with passionate experienced guides.

Head out with the latest fishing gear to target highly-sought game species, such as marlin, mahimahi, wahoo, sailfish, giant trevally and much more! Whether you’re a newbie or an experienced angler, Niue’s fishing charters will make sure you have the most enjoyable experience for your abilities.

Learn more about fishing in Niue with The Guide to Fishing in Niue.

Dining Recommendations

Don’t miss lunch at the Crazy Uga Cafe (Alofi) during your trip. The clifftop restaurant overlooking the gorgeous Utuko Reef offers a rustic setting for paninis, fish and chips, salads and more. For dinner, you may be tempted to try some of the Indian cuisine at the Vanilla Cafe (Alofi Commercial Centre).

(c) niuepocketguide.com

Day 10 – Spend the Day Exploring the West Coast Sea Tracks

Travel time: 10-30 minutes drive.

If you arrived in Niue on a Friday, that means it’s Sunday again and the perfect time to visit the caves, snorkelling hotspots and chasms of the west coast.

Note that the attractions for snorkelling are tide-dependent, so change the order you visit them according to the tide. Learn more in Tide Times in Niue: Essential for Your Trip!

Avaiki and Palaha Caves

Just before low tide, find the Avaiki Cave Sea Track near the village of Makefu. The short track takes you down to a huge cathedral cave with a gorgeous pool at the base, ideal for snorkelling. Travel a little further north and you’ll also find the Palaha Cave, offering more magnificent viewings of grand limestone caves.

Limu Pools

A calm turquoise oasis for swimming and snorkelling awaits at the Limu Pools near the village of Namukulu. Follow a well-formed sea track down to the main pools that are best enjoyed at half-to-full incoming tide. Alternatively, there is a small side pool with a coastal arch that is better snorkelled at low tide.

Matapa Chasm

Suitable at all tides, the Matapa Chasm is a wide chasm harbouring an array of colourful tropical fish. Walk down a seven-minute rocky sea track through the forest to emerge at the chasm. The track starts from the grassy parking area in Hikutavake.

Talava Arches

While you’re at the Matapa Chasm, don’t miss the trail for the Talava Arches located right next to it! The Talava Arches can be enjoyed at any tide but is best at low tide if you want to walk across the reef and under the arch. The sea track is a 30-minute walk through the forest (sturdy shoes required) and a series of limestone caves. You’ll emerge at a stunning view of the coastal archway where there’s a great opportunity to snorkel in the coral-lined channel below.

Dining Recommendations

The Washaway Cafe (Avatele) is always a reliable option on a Sunday. Alternatively, Crow’s Nest (Alofi Commercial Centre) is open for dinner, not only serving fresh fish and chips but a range of moist cakes and desserts. We even recommend saving some room and making it a dessert night!

(c) niuepocketguide.com

Day 11 – Play a Round of Golf or Relax

Travel time: 5-10 minutes drive.

How about playing golf in one of the most unique places you’ve ever teed off – atop the world’s largest raised coral atoll! Yes, Niue does have its very own golf course, a well-maintained tropical park-style course with coconut palms as fun obstacles.

The 9-hole golf course at the Niue Golf and Sports Club is a quiet course with many fun challenges along the way. Pick up some golf clubs to hire and pay your green fees at the Visitor Information Centre.

Learn more about golfing in Niue in The Complete Guide to Golf in Niue.

Dining Recommendations

Have you tried the peanut butter and banana smoothie and an umu foccacia at Fana Cafe (Swanson Complex) yet? At some point during your getaway, call in at All Relativf (Swanson Complex) for its legendary cocktails! For dinner, listen to the soothing tones of a local island band as you watch the sunset from the Dolphin Restaurant (Scenic Matavai Resort).

(c) niuepocketguide.com

Day 12 – Enjoy Beaches All to Yourself

Travel time: 5-20 minutes drive.

Sure, Niue might not be known for being a beach destination, but it does have a small selection of beautiful coral beaches that are stunning places to be (usually all to oneself).

A small and almost always secluded beach is Tamakautoga Beach, a cove with a small pool you can swim in. Enjoy a reef walk there at low tide or simply take a picnic (towels and pillows could be a good idea to make the coarse coral sand a little more comfortable).

Pofitu Beach is nearby Tamakautoga and is a slightly larger beach. It’s one of the least-visited in Niue – more because not many visitors know it is there!

For more beaches to scout out together, see The 5 Best Beaches in Niue.

Dining Recommendations

Take a picnic to the beach with you from the hole-in-the-wall takeaway of Little Rock (Alofi), serving a range of hot rolls, salads, wraps and more. For dinner, try out the sourdough pizzas at Kaiika (Alofi) or, you know you want to, some more sushi!

(c) M. Crawford - Niue Tourism

Day 13 – Buy Unique Souvenirs at the Niue Market and the Women’s Council of Niue

Travel time: 5-15 minutes drive.

If you arrived in Niue on a Friday, then today is a Wednesday and a day of activity in Alofi! Enjoy the morning mingling with the locals at the Niue Market. Browse fresh tropical produce, handicrafts and all kinds of souvenirs at the market, which starts at 8 am until about 12 pm. Find the market is next door to the Visitor Information Centre.

Also happening on a Wednesday is the Niue Council of Women’s weaving group inside Makini Hall or Aliutu Hall. You are welcome to watch the women in action or even give weaving a go yourself. There are all sorts of handicrafts going on, from weaving to fabric printing to making Niue’s staple necklaces known as kahoa hihi. There’s also a little shop at the back of Makini Hall to purchase some of the amazing finished pieces.

And for more shopping opportunities, check out boutique stores like Kauhi Krafts (behind the Alofi Commercial Centre) that are well worth a visit for their fabulous artwork on display, as well as unique gifts, many of which are hand-crafted on-site, to bring back for your loved ones back home. See our top shopping recommendations in The Guide to Shopping in Niue + The Best Places to Shop.

Dining Recommendations

Book yourselves in for the buffet at Manuiz (Alofi) if you missed out last week. Otherwise, Crazy Uga Cafe (Alofi) usually has a themed dinner event every Wednesday evening that might just suit. Alternatively, Wok on the Rock (Alofi) is open for Asian Western fusion cuisine for lunch and dinner.

© Niue Tourism

Day 14 – Free Day

This is the beauty of a two-week getaway, you get the time to do spontaneous activities, try the experiences you might have missed, or simply enjoy doing nothing at all…

It’s a good idea to have at least one free day in your itinerary to do one of the bike trails or sea tracks you might have missed, as there is just so much to do in Niue! Additionally, if your whale swim, dolphin swim or fishing charter wasn’t successful, which can happen when you’re dealing with nature, or cancelled due to bad weather, then use this extra day to try again.

And if you want to try something different, there are plenty more things to enjoy on the island, so take a look at our 101 Things to Do in Niue and 10 Most Luxurious Experiences in Niue for more inspiration.

Dining Recommendations

By now, you surely have your favourite!

(c) niuepocketguide.com

Departure Day – Check Out of Your Accommodation and Depart Niue

Travel time: 5-10 minutes drive.

Your time in paradise might be coming to an end, but you still have time to enjoy a coffee or a fresh-fruit smoothie at one of Alofi’s cafes before checking in for your flight. We recommend checking in your bags in the morning and then coming back to the airport later, as explained in Leaving Niue: The Niue Airport Departure Process.

Return your rental car by parking it at the Hanan Airport car park and leaving the keys in the ignition. Yes, that’s how it is done in Niue.

Then, it’s time to depart Niue for your flight to Auckland! One last tip, there is a cute bar in the departure lounge, Bo’s Bar by the Runway, which serves up a range of drinks and snacks.

Then it’s Nonofo ā mutolu kia to Niue!

© Niue Tourism

Alternative Itinerary: Niue Relaxing Luxury 2-Week (14-Day) Itinerary

Below is an overview of a more relaxed luxury itinerary for Niue. During this itinerary, you will be staying in the same accommodation for ultimate convenience. Note, there is an extra day added due to Niue’s irregular flight schedule.

• Day 1 – Arrive in Niue and check-in at your luxury accommodation
• Day 2 – Do a guided orientation tour of the island
• Day 3 – Enjoy a resort/accommodation by the pool
• Day 4 – Swim with whales and/or dolphins
• Day 5 – Do an independent road trip to the secluded east coast sights, like Togo Chasm and Anapala Chasm
• Day 6 – Join a scuba diving trip or try swimming with whales again if your first swim was unsuccessful
• Day 7 – Enjoy a resort/accommodation day
• Day 8 – Join an ebony arts tour
• Day 9 – Find Niue’s quiet snorkelling/swimming spots, such as Matapa Chasm, Avaiki Cave and more
• Day 10 – Experience a Niuean church service then enjoy a resort/accommodation day
• Day 11 – Try your luck on a fishing charter
• Day 12 – Play a round of island golf at the Niue Golf and Sports Club
• Day 13 – Treat yourself to Niuean souvenirs at the Niue Market, Kauhi Krafts and more
• Day 14 – Indulge in a spa treatment or yoga session
• Departure Day – Get prepared for departure on an iconic Niue plane day.