Romance on Nauru's East Coast

Setting expectations

Nauru is not a honeymoon island in the Bora Bora sense. It has no overwater bungalows, no spa resorts and no wedding industry. The charm is different: a remote speck on the equator with few visitors, wide sky and ocean on every side. Couples who enjoy being somewhere few others go, and who can live with basic comforts, will find it memorable.

Where to stay

Menen Hotel sits on the cliffs of the east coast, high above Anibare Bay. Ask for a room with an ocean view, where you can watch waves run in over the reef from your balcony. There is a restaurant and a bar on site. Contact the hotel by email or phone to book, because the main hotels are not on the big booking sites.

Evening at Aiwo

The great steel loaders at Aiwo stretch over the reef like industrial sculpture. Come near sunset, when the sky turns orange behind them. It is the image most associated with Nauru, and it is easy to enjoy together from the shore. Stay back from the reef edge.

A morning walk on Anibare Bay

The bay is more than 2 km of white coral sand with palms and black limestone behind it, and in the morning you may have it to yourselves. Keep to the beach. Strong rip currents and heavy surf make the open water unsafe, and there are no lifeguards.

A slow drive

The 19 km paved ring road is flat, so a drive around the whole island makes a gentle outing. Hire a car through your accommodation, drive on the left and take your time. Stop at Buada Lagoon, where palms and tamanu trees cast a green, cool light over a quiet road. Do not enter the water, since the shore is private land and the lagoon is not for swimming.

Out on the ocean

Ask the hotel about a game-fishing charter for a shared day at sea. Boats leave from Anibare Boat Harbour, and the catch can include tuna, wahoo and mahi-mahi. Agree the price and the departure time in person, and pay in cash.

Good to know

  • Cards are not accepted. Bring Australian dollars, as the single ATM at Menen Hotel is often empty.
  • A visa is required in advance, with none on arrival.
  • Nauru Airlines flies a few days a week, so choose dates around its timetable.
  • There are no romantic dinner cruises or spa packages to book.
  • Cyclones and heavy swell are possible from November to May.

Booking and sources

Rooms are reserved directly. You can search Booking.com for new Nauru listings, and the UK government page for Nauru covers entry and safety. See flight days at Nauru Airlines .

Read more: Couple activities in Nauru and Nauru 2-day plan .