Safety and Security

Petty crime

Crime in Tuvalu is low but petty crime can occur.

We advise you to take basic precautions while travelling to Tuvalu:

• Don’t carry your credit card, travel tickets and money together - leave spare cash and valuables in a safe place.
• Don’t carry your passport unless absolutely necessary and leave a copy of your passport (and travel and insurance documents) with family or friends at home.
• Avoid showing large sums of money in public and don’t use ATMs after dark, especially if you are alone. Check no one has followed you after conducting your business.
• Keep a close eye on your personal belongings and hold on to them in public places.
• Avoid dark and unlit streets and stairways, arrange to be picked up or dropped off as close to your hotel or apartment entrance as possible.

Telephone services

There is one local mobile network in Tuvalu; other international networks will not work while in Tuvalu. Local SIM cards can be purchased in Funafuti.

Swimming and ocean activities

Take great care when swimming off the outer coasts of Tuvalu’s atolls as there are very strong rip currents along coast and reef areas. Swimming in Funafuti lagoon is not recommended as it is highly polluted.

Safety inspections for equipment, vehicles and facilities do not commonly occur in Tuvalu. For this reason, hazardous areas are not always identified and Maritime safety is concern. Visitors should reconsider boarding vessels that appear overloaded or unseaworthy. Also  wear safety equipment at all times during boating trips.

Weather

Cyclone season within the South Pacific runs through from the start of November to the end of April. The cyclone season can have a number of severe storms, on average around nine tropical cyclones each season. The category of the storms can vary. During a cyclone do not go outdoors, and remain away from the sea and rivers.

You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), or the Tuvalu Meteorological Service.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance

Tuvalu prohibits discrimination on the basis of physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental disability. There are no mandated building accessibility provisions for persons with disabilities. The only multi-story government building has elevators, but they are not always operational. There are no elevators in private multi-story buildings.

Local Laws and Customs

Law and Crime

Remember, the local laws apply to you as a visitor and it is your responsibility to follow them. Be sensitive to local customs, traditions and practices as your behaviour may be seen as improper, hostile or may even be illegal.

LGBTQI+ Travel

Tuvaluan law criminalizes male homosexual relations. If you are convicted, you could face imprisonment, though enforcement of the law is rare.

Currency

The Australian dollar is the currency used in Tuvalu. Be prepared to pay cash for hotel bills and all other services, as credit card services are not available. There are no ATMs on Tuvalu.

Road Conditions and Safety 

Traffic moves on the left in Tuvalu. The main roads on Funafuti are paved, but other roads on other islands are generally unpaved. Animals and pedestrians walking in the road make night driving on unlit secondary roads hazardous. 

Health

Check with your doctor well in advance of travelling to see if you need any vaccinations for this country. We advise you to take out comprehensive travel insurance before you travel with provision for medical evacuation.

Medical treatment is generally available only in or near Funafuti, where Tuvalu’s only hospital is located. The outer islands are served by trained nurses. Medical facilities are generally adequate for routine medical treatment. For more serious or complicated problems medical evacuation to Fiji, Australia or New Zealand may be required.

You should boil all drinking water or drink bottled water while in Tuvalu.

Dengue fever occurs in Tuvalu. Travellers are advised to use insect repellent, wear protective clothing, and stay in lodgings where there are mosquito screens on windows and doors.

Ciguatera, or fish poisoning, is an illness caused by eating fish containing certain toxins. It can cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and tingling fingers or toes and can be found in many areas of the tropical Pacific region. There is no way to tell whether fish has been contaminated, so if you are visiting a Pacific island and want to avoid ciguatera, avoid eating reef fish.  Deep water fish like tuna are a better option.  

Additional Information

Entry requirements (visa/passport)

Irish passport holders must meet the following requirements for entry to Tuvalu:

1. Have an onward (or return) ticket to a country you have a valid visa or permit to enter;
2. Possess a passport valid for a minimum of six months after the intended date of departure from Tuvalu. Passport cards cannot be used;
3. Proof of accommodation
4. Have sufficient funds for self-support

Entry permits for a maximum one-month stay will be issued on arrival (for a fee of $100 AUD) providing you meet the requirements above. For all visa related matters it is recommended to contact the closest Tuvalu Embassy, High Commission or Honorary Consulate before you travel. Passport cards cannot be used.

For individuals planning to enter by sea: Tuvalu’s customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning importation or exportation of items such as agricultural products.

There is a currency entry and exit restriction of $3,000 AUD. There is a departure tax of AUD $30 per person.