What You Need to Know About Planning a Trip to Niue
So you’re planning a trip to Niue? That’s amazing! With Niue being a relatively unknown country, planning a trip might seem a little daunting at first. But Niue is an English-speaking country, easy to get around and is extremely welcoming. You’ll realise just how easy planning a trip to Niue is with this guide on how to plan a trip to Niue. Follow our Niue travel advice!
About Niue
Niue is the world’s largest uplifted coral atoll with a 260km2 (100sq mi) landmass and 30m (100ft)-high cliffs. It is just one island in the South Pacific Ocean with 13 villages and one port town, which is the capital, Alofi.
Why Visit Niue?
Travellers choose Niue for its dramatic limestone landscape, unlike any other island in the South Pacific. Niue’s porous limestone also means there is little surface run-off so the island’s surrounding waters are crystal clear for fantastic snorkelling and scuba diving. Swimming and watching whales are possible between July and September. Culture tours, nature tours, game fishing and golf are also popular on the island. See more reasons people visit Niue in 10 Amazing Reasons to Visit Niue.
Who are the People of Niue?
Niue’s small population are Niueans, descendants of Polynesian settlers from Samoa and Tonga. They have their own distinct culture, which you can learn more about in The Guide to the Niuean Culture for Travellers.
(c) Niue Tourism When is the Best Time to Visit Niue?
There’s never really a bad time to visit Niue, but you may have your preferences depending on the weather, events and what activities you want to do.
The Climate in Niue
Niue is a tropical island with warm temperatures experienced throughout the year. It has only two distinct seasons, the hot and humid wet season and the drier and cooler dry season. Learn more in What is the Weather Like in Niue?
Wet Season (November to April)
The wet season, also known as summer, is Niue’s most hot and humid season with temperatures typically 22-29°C (72-84°F). Rain tends to be more frequent than the dry season with a monthly average of 156-300mm (6.1-11.8″) and there is a small risk of cyclones affecting the country. This season is best for fishing particular species like Yellowfin Tuna.
Dry Season (May to October)
The dry season, also called winter, is a drier and cooler season with temperatures typically around 21-27°C (70-81°F). The average monthly rainfall is 90-160mm (3.5-6.3″). This season is also best for whale swimming and fishing for particular species like Wahoo and Mahimahi.
So when is the best time to travel to Niue? Get more information in The Best Time to Visit Niue.
(c) niuepocketguide.comWhat Do You Need to Bring With You to Niue?
We all have our preferences when it comes to packing, so we won’t go into a full packing list here. However, you can see our full packing list for Niue here. In short, you’ll need a tropical wardrobe, as well as reef shoes, snorkelling gear and clothing to cover swimwear, as it is prohibited to walk around the town and villages in your swimwear.
As for things to bring to Niue that you might have not thought about, here are a few reminders…
Entry to Niue
To enter Niue, you need a passport that is valid for up to three months after your arrival date. A free Visitor Permit is granted upon entry if you are from a visa-waiver country. Otherwise, an Entry Permit is required, as explained in Do You Need a Visa to Visit Niue?
Currency
The currency of Niue is the New Zealand Dollar. Cash is the most widely accepted payment method with some outlets accepting MasterCard, Visa and New Zealand debit cards. There is no ATM on the island, but you can take money out at selected outlets. See What is the Currency of Niue? for more information.
Health Products
Tap water is Ok to drink at certain accommodations on the island, but not everywhere. The island also experiences high UV levels and mosquitos, so packing products for your health is recommended. Natural sunscreens and mosquito repellents are advised to protect you and Niue’s fragile ecosystem. Instead of buying bottled water, use reusable purification bottles, as suggested with more advice in What Medication to Pack in Your First Aid Kit for Niue.
(c) niuepocketguide.comHow Long Do You Have in Niue?
What can you do in Niue and how much can you explore? It depends on how much time you have in the country. Niue is a small island where getting around usually only requires a short drive. Therefore, we recommend basing yourself in one accommodation for your entire stay and exploring the island from there.
3/4 Days in Niue
Over a long weekend, you will have time to do some sightseeing on both coasts of the island, but not much time for activities and tours with many being closed on a Sunday. See The Best Niue Itineraries for a Weekend for suggestions.
5 Days in Niue
From Monday’s flight to Friday’s flight, you can explore both coasts of the island, as well as fit in one or two tours. See The Best Niue Itineraries for 5 Days for ideas.
One Week in Niue
One week in Niue gives you time to visit all of the major highlights along the coast, as well as do some of your bucket list activities. See The Best Niue Itineraries for 1 Week for recommended trip ideas.
Two Weeks in Niue
This amount of time in Niue allows you to enjoy all of Niue’s coastal attractions, fit in the activities and tours you’ve dreamed of, as well as time to relax. See The Best Niue Itineraries for 2 Weeks for itinerary suggestions.
(c) niuepocketguide.comWays to Get Around Niue
Niue has limited transport options, where it’s highly recommended to hire a car to make the most of the island. Nevertheless, here’s a quick overview of all of your options.
Car Rental
Multiple car hire companies are available on the island, offering vehicle drop-off at the airport, as well as pick-up from their depots. Car rental is by far the most convenient and flexible way to get around the island. See The Guide to Car Hire in Niue for more information.
Airport Transfers
Some accommodations on the island offer airport transfers free of charge at the beginning and end of your trip. Find out more about transfers in the Airport Transfer Options in Niue.
Taxi
There is one taxi on the island, only available by booking over the phone. Find out more in The Guide to Taxis in Niue.
Bicycle Rental
Some accommodations and car rental companies hire bicycles to explore some of the island and bike trails. Note that the island is too big to typically enjoy cycling around. Find out more in The Guide to Mountain Biking in Niue.
For more information, see 8 Ways to Get to Niue (& Get Around Niue).
(c) niuepocketguide.comAccommodation in Niue
When it comes to places to stay, Niue has choices to suit a range of budgets and needs. There is one full-service resort, while Niue’s other accommodation consists of holiday homes, cottage complexes and guest houses. All accommodation is boutique.
Learn more about Niue’s accommodation in the following sections:
(c) niuepocketguide.comThings to Do in Niue
Niue has a varying choice of land and water activities, from cultural rainforest tours to amazing wildlife interactions. A good place to start when deciding on activities is with our 10 Things to Do in Niue.
The main attractions and experiences in Niue include:
(c) niuepocketguide.comFood in Niue
Niue has a small but varied range of restaurants, bars and cafes with international influences including Japanese, Indian, Chinese, American, British and more. Niuean food is best sampled at arranged umu/Niuean buffet nights, as well as occasionally at the Niue Market and village show days. Learn about the restaurants on the island in The Guide to the Best Eats & Restaurants in Niue, as well as the buffet nights in The Ultimate Guide to the Niue Nightlife.
Self-catering facilities are available at almost all of Niue’s accommodations where visitors can buy groceries from the large supermarket, Swansons Supermarket, as well as from smaller grocery stores in Alofi. See The Guide to Food Shopping in Niue for more advice.
For more talk about food, see The Guide to Food in Niue.
