All foreign visitors, regardless of nationality, require a 30-day tourist visa, valid passport and proof of local sponsorship or hotel reservations to enter Nauru. Nauruan embassies are the easiest place to obtain these visas and more details can be found at the country’s official government site (http://www.naurugov.nr/). Visitors staying for more than six months should be vaccinated against hepatitis B and tuberculosis.

Health and Safety

Violent and petty crimes are nearly unheard of on this tiny, isolated island. Visitors who refrain from trafficking drugs and engaging in public displays of homosexual behavior, both of which are illegal, should enjoy safe stays on Nauru. The island is dependent on an aging desalination plant and rainwater collected from local tanks for its drinking water, but bottled water is widely available. Most local food is safe to eat.

Dangerous marine animals and sudden strong currents across the shallow waters of the surrounding coral reef are the biggest dangers lurking beneath the island’s surface. Visitors should always seek advice from locals before swimming, scuba diving or participating in any other water-related activity. Full travel insurance is a must before arriving on Nauru as the island’s two hospitals offer only limited medical facilities. Those suffering from serious injuries or illnesses may be transported as far as Australia for adequate treatment.