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Niue is one of the world's largest coral islands.
This upraised coral atoll, affectionately known as
“The Rock of Polynesia”, is situated in the
south-west Pacific Ocean, just over 3 hours north of
New Zealand.
The coral make up of the island and the surging
Pacific Ocean has created a rugged coastline of
soaring archways, deep chasms, cool caves,
fascinating rock pools and intimate swimming coves.
A fringe of coral reef clings to Niue’s sides before
plunging to abyssal depths.
As there are no sandy
beaches, streams or rivers on Niue, the rain filters
through the porous coral into the warm waters of
the Pacific, completely devoid of any silt runoff.
This allows the surrounding ocean to remain crystal
clear with visibility often reaching up to 70 metres
- wonderful for diving.
The interior of the island is the remains of a
shallow lagoon and is therefore flat with lush,
tropical rainforests rich in diversity of
spectacular flora and fauna, bird life and
butterflies are everywhere. The entire island is
laced with a myriad of magnificent limestone caves
and unique geological formations. Many caves are
still being formed with stalagmites and stalactites
in all stages of development. The bush tracks
through the forests are not clearly signposted so it
is essential to explore harder to find caves with a
local tour guide who will provide an insight into
their history.
Niue is a unique, unspoiled island destination. It
is laid back, quiet and peaceful, an island for the
explorer and adventurer and for those who want to
relax in an un-commercialized environment among
friendly people.
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Niue’s isolated location,
lack of rivers and porous make-up, provides
stunning clarity with water  visibility of no less
than 40 metres. Great for underwater photography.
Explore drop-offs, canyons and caves.
The reef,
predominately made up of hard coral, drops to
around 40 metres, where it levels off for a short
distance before heading off into the vastness of
the abyss. There are numerous dive sites, some
quite challenging.
Snake Gully has an abundance of
timid sea snakes measuring up to a metre long.
They ascend to the surface for a gulp of air
before returning to probe the crevices of the reef
for food. Along with the usual reef dwellers you
will encounter reef sharks, barracuda, Maori
wrasse, the comical anemone, surgeon fish, Moorish
idol, regal angelfish, long nosed butterfish,
large fin banner fish, the crown of thorns
starfish and the elusive aqua Ribbon eel.
Spinner
dolphins are in attendance all year. Every year,
between June and November the migrating Humpback
Whales are a common sight frolicking around and
breaching close to shore.
 Click here for a list of local dive sites
Snorkelling
There are several stunning in shore swimming areas
and coral pools like Matapa Chasm and Limu that
offer a gentle introduction to the marine world
beyond the outer reef.
The clear shallow waters
with temperatures between 25 – 28 degrees, teem
with colourful fish and living coral.
You can
snorkel around the rock pools, some formerly
reserved exclusively for Niuean kings, for hours
without growing tired or cold. |
Getting You Started
Niue is an isolated island located in the South Pacific between Tonga to the west and the Cook Islands to the east. Best known as 'the Rock of Polynesia', Niue is a perfect example of a 'raised atoll' island, the world’s largest single coral island. The international country code for Niue is 683. Niue is 11 hours behind of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Entry & Visa Requirements (subject to change)
Australian passport holders do not need a visa to visit Niue for a maximum stay of 30 days. For other passport holders, please contact the appropriate authorities to check your entry requirements.
Medical & Health Requirements
The island has it’s own hospital but in the event of serious injury med-evac is necessary. There is a 24-hour on-call emergency service available. It is recommended to have your hepatitis, typhoid and tetanus shots updated. Some medications can make you sun sensitive, so extra care must be taken to ensure that your skin is protected from sun burn. Please check with your physician for the best precautions to be taken. (For further details please contact Travel Vax on 1300 360 164).
Currency
The currency of Niue is the New Zealand Dollar. Visa is the only credit card accepted on the island.
1 AUD = approximately 1.23 (January 2010)
Baggage (International flights Ex Australia)
Air New Zealand - 20kg + 10kg for sporting. (Subject to change without notice)
Duty Free
The allowance is 200 cigarettes or 227g of tobacco, 3 litre of spirits, liquor or wine.
Weather
Niue enjoys a long, dry season from April to November with average temperatures of 24°C. The wet and humid season is from December to March with temperatures averaging around
28°C.
Clothing
The emphasis is on light and casual clothing but not too brief in public places. Swimwear is not permitted in the public areas and nude or topless swimming or sun bathing will cause offence. Remember to cover up with light cotton clothing at dusk and dawn to prevent mosquito bites. Sun protection is absolutely essential. A light sweater may come in handy during the cooler months of June, July and August. |
Electricity
240 volts AC, Plug I – same as Australia.
(for further details refer to http://www.kropla.com/electric2.htm).
Banking
There is one bank in Niue, Bank of South Pacific. They can arrange credit card advances on Visa, however this may incur a surcharge. It is recommended to bring New Zealand Dollars with you before travelling to Niue. There are no ATM’s located on the island. Banking hours are 9.00am to 3.00pm Monday to Friday.
Language
Niueans are fluent in both Niuean and English.
Religion
Sunday is a day of rest on Niue. The Sabbath is still taken pretty seriously here. Most attend church in the morning and afternoon. People are still permitted to take part sightseeing and go for a swim, however certain activities like boating and fishing are not permitted.
Water
Drinking water is from natural springs and rain water. It is recommended that you boil water prior to drinking. A jug of drinking water is often supplied by hotels and bottled water is sold everywhere. In the tropics it is important to drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids to avoid dehydration.
Shopping
Niue has a small selection of supermarkets, general stores, restaurants and cafes. The Niuean woman are highly respected for their craft of quality weaving. There is no public transport system on the island however cars, motorbikes and mountain bikes are available for hire to get around. General shopping hours are 09.00am to 4.00pm Monday to Friday. Some shops open on Saturday mornings.
Tipping
Tipping isn't expected or encouraged.
Diving
The isolated location and lack of rivers results in stunning visibility, usually reaching over 40 meters with water temperatures between 25°C to 30°C. Niue is a true underwater photographers dream. You will be able to explore magical drop-offs, canyons, caves, tropical sea life and corals. It is also possible to snorkel with humpback whales between July to October. A 3-5mm suit is recommended. Dive operators supply tanks, weight belts and dive guide services. There will be an extra charge if equipment hire is required.
Departure Tax
A local tax of NZ$34 is payable at the airport in Niue for all travelers. |
