NIUE TRAVEL INFORMATION

NIUE INFO
Niue is a self-governing country in association with New Zealand, located in the South Pacific approximately 2400 kilometers north-north-east of New Zealand itself and about 450 kilometers from Samoa and Tonga. The island is known also as "Rock of Polynesia" since it is a raised coral atoll with an average altitude of approx. 60 meters above sea level and a dramatic coastline falling vertically in the sea for most of the island's perimeter. The island's morphology and geology, make Niue a unique phenomena in the world, with lot of things to see, to do and to learn. About 1500 people live in Niue, mainly Polynesians, with most of them concentrated in the capital Alofi.

BEST TIME TO VISIT NIUE
The best season to visit Niue is from May to October when the weather is generally drier and more stable. In such season, there are also lot of whales, you may see them by just sitting somewhere along the coastline, or you may also swim with them. Temperatures are really like a paradise, without extremes and pleasant 26-28 degrees during day or 19-21 during night.

HOW TO GET TO NIUE
Currently (August 2011), Niue is served exclusively by an Air New Zealand flight once a week and operated by an Airbus A320. Such flight departs Auckland on Saturday and arrives Niue on Friday, as the island is east of the International Date Change Line. After approx two hours of layover time in Niue, the aircraft returns to Auckland. For connecting passengers, please consider to stop at least one night in Auckland, so you will not risk to miss your flight to Niue, should the international flight have a long delay for some reason. Auckland offers lot of interesting things to see and to do, you will not get bored!

GETTING AROUND NIUE
Niue has a ring road approximately 60km long, around all the island. As the things to see are well around all Niue, I suggest to rent a car or a motorbike, to get around easily and in complete freedom. Walking is out of question, since trails may start even at 20km from your accommodation (if you are robust, a normal bike may be considered). There are at least two car rental companies on the island, offering also motorbikes.

WHERE TO SLEEP IN NIUE
Niue offers different kind of accommodation, from a full-service resort, to smaller motels and bed&breakfast. For my stay, I've chosen the beautiful Coral Gardens Motel and you will find additional information about it, together with lot of pictures, in these web pages.

THINGS TO DO IN NIUE
Niue is one of the few places in the world where you can swim with whales and dolphins and this fantastic experience already worth the entire trip. Snorkeling in the beautiful pools along the coastline is another very funny and relaxing activity, as you can enjoy crystal-clear, unpolluted waters, in fantastic landscapes. Hiking is very interesting and can be done thru LOT of well maintained trails, bringing you to fantastic underground caves, ancient coral formations, pristine tropical forests and flat reefs where you may even walk on during low tide (please respect the growing corals and DO NOT walk in any place where you may damage them).

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT NIUE
Please be aware that Niue is a raised coral island, so do not expect large sandy beaches. There are a couple of small beaches around the island and several very small, but tremendously picturesque, beaches in some secluded cove (discovering where they are, is part of the adventure!). Traveling to Niue and around is, above of all, funny!

NIUE PICTURES AND NIUE TRAVELOGUE

EXCURSIONS TO NIUE - REEF WALKING AND SECLUDED BEACHES <<-- GO

From the main ring road around Niue, there are lot of trails (also called "sea track") bringing you down to the sea where, with low tide and taking care to not damage corals, you may walk on the reef searching for picturesque coves and secluded beaches.

TREK TO PALAHA CAVE AND AVAIKI CAVES IN NIUE <<-- GO

Niue is an amazing small island, but offering so much... and you will probably not expect to find enormous underground caves with colorful stalactites and stalagmites. There are many caves in Niue, often easy to reach, and sometimes opening a wonderful view out to the sea.

SNORKELING TO LIMU POOLS IN NIUE <<-- GO

Limu Pools is one of my favorite places in Niue thanks to blue crystalline waters and protected natural pools, where swimming and snorkeling is not only very funny, but also very safe, even for beginners.

HIKE TO TALAVA ARCHES AND MATAPA IN NIUE <<-- GO

Two trails in Niue departing from the same parking lot and offering so beautiful views onto caves, natural arches, small canyons like "Indiana Jones" adventures and also an interesting snorkeling (in Matapa).

DAY TOUR IN NIUE TO TOGO CHASM AND FOSSILIZED CORAL FOREST <<-- GO

Probably one of the most beautiful hike in Niue, bringing you first in an unspoiled tropical jungle and then through a real "forest" of fossilized coral, a geological feature quite unique in Niue and perhaps in the world. This trails end in a narrow sandy canyon where coconuts trees live.

Where to stay in Niue, how to move around Niue, and other information or curiosities documented with many pictures.