The Adventure Guide to Niue

(c) niuepocketguide.com

Hiking

One of the most popular adventure activities that you can enjoy independently in Niue is hiking and walking. Niue’s coastline is dotted with some 30 sea tracks leading to all sorts of amazing surprises, whether it’s a towering chasm or a breathtaking limestone cave. Admittedly, the hikes in Niue are quite short, ranging from 30 seconds to 45 minutes one way, but a day of exploring several sea tracks is a good day of walking.

To add to the adventure, Niue’s sea tracks are rocky and rugged, having you scramble over rocks and wind through dense forest. Needless to say, these are not hikes that you’ll want to do in just your flip-flops.

There’s so much to talk about when it comes to Niue’s hikes, so get started on your research with The Guide to Walks in Niue.

(c) M. Crawford - Niue Tourism

Mountain Biking

Hire a mountain bike or an e-bike and hit Niue’s 190km (118 miles) of bush trails ideal for mountain biking! Niue’s inland trails are overgrown 4WD tracks where you’ll feel like your world away from anywhere.

There are five official bike tracks on the island, conveniently routed so that the ride takes cyclists in a loop. Some even connect, so you can do as much or as little as you want to ride. Niue has become such a hotspot for cycling that it hosts an annual “Rally of the Rock” around the island.

Learn more about cycling adventures in The Guide to Mountain Biking in Niue.

(c) BAND - Niue Tourism

Snorkelling and Scuba Diving

Being an island nation, much of Niue’s adventures are in the water – that’s crystal clear water thanks to the island’s lack of surface run-off. Snorkelling can be enjoyed in many places straight from the shore, while snorkelling tours, scuba diving and even whale and dolphin swimming tours up the anty for a more epic adventure.

One of Niue’s more unique experiences is swimming with humpback whales, available each year between July and September. It’s also possible to swim with spinner dolphins all year round with dive operators having you hold onto ropes alongside the boat to glide along with the dolphins. Of course, scuba diving is also available. Not only can you learn to dive in Niue with PADI courses, but there are some amazing dives available for certified divers, from chimney descents to tunnel swim-throughs to cambers under the island.

There’s a lot to unpack when it comes to Niue’s water adventure activities, so check out the below guides to follow your interests:

• The Guide to Snorkelling in Niue
• The Guide to Swimming with Whales in Niue
• The Guide to Swimming with Dolphins in Niue
• The Guide to Scuba Diving in Niue

(c) niuepocketguide.com

Hunting and Fishing

Not only is Niue a great example of sustainable hunting and fishing, but they also provide some pretty exciting adventure activities.

Let’s start with fishing. Fishing has been part of the Niue culture for centuries, where the island has strict fishing regulations to protect the fish stocks for years to come. One way you can get in on the action though is with the local fishing charters, offering you the chance to reel in some real whoppers of the South Pacific. We’re talking mahimahi, wahoo, yellowfin tuna, marlin and more! Nothing beats the feeling of finally getting that monster into the boat after an epic battle. Check out The Guide to Fishing in Niue for more information.

So what is there to hunt in Niue? Niueans hunt the prized uga, a giant coconut crab that climbs trees and rips open coconut husks like it’s nobody’s business! They are considered a delicacy on the island, where uga hunting tours can take you out to set out baits then come back in the evening to see the crabs feasting. You’ll learn how to grab hold of these giant crabs safely, only collecting the biggest uga. Find out more in the 8 Ways See Uga (Coconut Crabs) in Niue.

(c) niuepocketguide.com

Best of the Rest

A few more adventures available in Niue, but on a much smaller scale than the rest of the activities already mentioned, include kayaking, vaka canoeing and caving.

Single sit-on-top kayaks and clear-bottom kayaks are available to hire in Niue to explore the coast when the conditions are right. This means you can see Niue from a different perspective with its dramatic rocky coastline and find your own secluded snorkelling spots.

Guided kayaking tours and learning how to paddle a traditional vaka (outrigger canoe) are also available. Find out more in The Guide to SUP, Canoe and Kayak in Niue.

Finally, while you can explore many of the land caves on your own in Niue, as well as dive into caves with scuba diving tours, there’s also a land caving tour to visit the magnificent Ulupaka Cave and all of its limestone formations and passageways. Find out more in the 10 Most Stunning Caves in Niue.