It is believed that the islands of Tuvalu were inhabited about 2,000 years ago. The country’s language, traditions and lifestyle clearly indicate that the modern inhabitants of Tuvalu are the descendants of Tongans and Samoans, who had landed on the islands of Tuvalu in the 14th century. In 1978, Tuvalu was proclaimed an independent state within the British Commonwealth.

The capital of Tuvalu is Funafuti, which is a fairly typical settlement for the 'coral states' of the Western Pacific. It is a large atoll, consisting of a series of small islands surrounding a large lagoon. The width of the strip of land is on average about 70 meters, so everything here is elongated in length, starting from the capital, which has the shape of a small village somewhere in Australia, to cemeteries and port facilities. Numerous passages in the reef wall make access to the lagoon quite easy, but the large ocean-going vessels have to stay in the outer waters.

More than half of the islanders live in Vaiaku. This town is an administrative and commercial center of the country. It is a quite picturesque settlement, where there is absolutely no industry. A more or less modern building is just the Government House; there is a bank, an airport, a hotel and a police department. The main attraction here is the only in the country supermarket Funafuti Fusi.

Tuvalu Philatelic Bureau is one of the major local attractions, located in the south. The stamps of Tuvalu, are widely known among collectors all over the world and give up to 20% of national income. Women's Handicraft Center creates the best ethnic souvenirs of the country. Nearby is the University and the South-Pacific Center, which is a good bookstore with an extensive collection of books on the history and culture of Tuvalu and the region. The air in the capital is crystal-clear, but the pace of life is very slow. Discuss possible excursions on the island with your professional Tuvalu tour operator.

The huge lagoon of Funafuti is the main attraction of the atoll. In addition to clean water and abundant marine life, the lagoon can offer a trip to the remote islands of the atoll and the beautiful views of sunrise or sunset. Funafuti atoll was one of the main points of the forward defense of the U.S. Navy during the Second World War, therefore, the island has many traces of those terrible years. Thus, the well-preserved underground bunker can be found on Tepuka Island.

Nanumea atoll is the northernmost island of Tuvalu and the most populous of the country's outer islands. It includes a series of tiny islands. The island of Nanumanga in the northern part of the archipelago is located to the south of Nanumea. Palm trees, beaches, ocean and wind – that is the list of its attractions. However, divers discovered a coral wall at a depth of 50 meters and a system of underwater caves. The caves have preserved evidence of human activity dating back to later 4th millennium BC. This contradicts the general theory of human migration to the islands of Oceania, so Nanumanga is 'Mecca' for scientists and one of the best places in the region for underwater archeology. These explorations are especially interesting due to the fact that the islanders of Tuvalu still believe in the legend about 'the big house under the sea', allegedly a former home the Gods.

Contact your Tuvalu travel agent to get professional assistance in organizing a vacation here. Ask for cheaper flights, better and safer hotels, and other required travel components.
Cruise Liner near Tuvalu