The 11 Best Beaches Of Tuvalu & Funafuti – Travel Guide

Tuvalu has plenty of amazing beaches to offer, from the most accessible ones in Funafuti to the remote atolls of Nanumea and Vaitupu. We’ll start our guide with the most beautiful beaches around the Funafuti atoll, ending with the remote and less-known atolls of Tuvalu. For each beach around Funafuti, you can easily access them with a short boat ride, taking no more than 45 minutes to reach from the northernmost to the southernmost point of the lagoon. Note that some islands might be harder to reach depending on the tide, so always check the tide conditions the night before booking your ride.

Make sure you also check our guide about the best restaurants and places where to eat in Tuvalu and Funafuti.

1 – Funafuti Lagoon Beach – Funafuti Atoll

This is one of the most accessible beaches in Tuvalu, very close to the city center and still very beautiful. Funafuti Lagoon Beach is stunning with its clear turquoise waters and soft white sand. The lagoon is perfect for snorkeling, and you can see colorful fish up close. Relax under a coconut tree or take a dip in the calm waters for a perfect tropical escape.

2 – Funafala Beach – Funafala Island – Funafuti Atoll

This has been, for us, the most beautiful beach in Tuvalu (and the Funafuti Atoll)! The surroundings are breathtaking; you’ll truly feel like you’re in a postcard or a real-life wallpaper. The sand quality is fantastic, and the different shades of blue will captivate you. You might even spot a lot of sea turtles. Note that during low tide, the water can get very hot (yes, very hot!). You can also explore Funafala Village and its primary school.

3 – Tepukahakai Beach – Tepuka Island – Funafuti Atoll

Tepuka beach is a hidden treasure with its stunning views and crystal-clear waters, about 25 min boat ride from Funafuti. This beach is will never get crowded, giving you a more private experience. You’ll love the gentle waves and the soft, white sand—ideal for a peaceful escape or a leisurely swim. This island has some of the best white, soft sand, with no rocks or corals in the swimming area—ideal for walking in the water.

4 – Telele Beach – Telele Island – Funafuti Atoll

Telele island also features amazing views from the main lagoon beach. Its proximity to Funafala (the beach we listed above) makes it very easy to reach, within the same trip from Funafuti to the Funafala village. Note that in that specific area, there is no snorkel zone, but the landscape it truly amazing.

5 – North Fongafale Beach – Funafuti Atoll

This one is another Tuvaluan beach easily accessible, as it doesn’t require you to take a boat. We asked the locals if that beach had a name, but they told us that it was just known as the “North Fongafale beach”. You can either reach it by foot (it would take around 2 hours walking from the airstrip – downtown) or by car/bike (around 20 min driving). On the weekends, you might find some local families enjoying this very quiet beach, as we did during our trip. Note that this is the northermost beach of the main (and most populated) island (Fongafale) within the Funafuti atoll.

6 – Te Afualiku Island Beach – Funafuti Atoll

Te Afualiku is a very tiny islet located between Fualifeke Island and Tepuka Island. Although the sand is mostly composed of rocks and coral pieces, it’s worth visiting because the islet is home to several bird species as well as sea turtles laying eggs. Be careful as the current and waves are stronger there, due to the proximity of the edge of the lagoon.

7 – Fualifeke Pink Sand Beach, Fualifeke Island – Funafuti Atoll

Fualifeke Island is worth visiting, as you’ll have plenty of space for nice walks from the two inhabited houses on the island to the neighboring island of Paava, which is easily reachable by foot, especially during low tide. You’ll also see the famous two-story house of the island, which is very uncommon in Tuvalu! Due to the shallow lagoon between them, this island offers a great chance to see baby sharks (mostly blacktip sharks—don’t worry, they are harmless!). For our Instagram lovers, there is also a beautiful sandbar area that emerges at low tide (a great spot for photos!), and you can see both islands of Fualifeke and Paava from there! And last but not least, this beach does have pink sand, yes yes, we’ll let the surprise for you!

Close to Fualifeke Island, you can also go to Mulitefala island, which hosts the only resort of the country, Afelita Island Resort. We do not recommend going there as the resort’s owners are very rude and contemptuous; asking them to arrange a boat trip to the neighboring islets is like insulting them (yes that’s crazy…).

8 – Avalau Island Beach – Funafuti Atoll

Avalau Beach is known for its untouched beauty and tranquil atmosphere. The island is right across Funafala beach and Telele beach, making it very easy to visit within the same day if you plan to go to the south of the Funafuti atoll. The beach features pristine sand and clear blue waters, perfect for a relaxing swim or a quiet day on the shore. It’s an ideal spot to enjoy some peace and solitude.

9 – Tefonufala Beach – Funafuti Atoll

Tefonufala Beach is located on the very small Tefonufala island. You can be sure to have the whole beach and island for you, as no one goes there in general. The sand is very soft and you can easily tour the island, especially to catch some sunsets. Expect a 30 min boat ride from Fongafale (Funafuti’s downtown).

10 – Lakina Beach – Nanumea Atoll

Lakina island is of the islands composing the remote gem of Nanumea, with pristine sand and crystal-clear water. It’s an ideal spot for a peaceful swim or a quiet walk along the shore. The beach’s isolation adds to its charm, making it a perfect place to unwind and enjoy the natural beauty. If you want more infos about how to reach Nanumea in Tuvalu, click here for our guide!

11 – Olosau Beach – Vaitupu Atoll

Olosau Beach offers a serene retreat with its beautiful white sand and calm, shallow waters of the remote Vaitupu atoll. You can spend your day snorkeling or simply relaxing on the beach, surrounded by lush palms. It’s a great spot for a tranquil day in the sun.

A little recap about our guide. The best beaches to visit in Tuvalu and Funafuti are:

1 – Funafuti Lagoon Beach – Funafuti Atoll
2 – Funafala Beach – Funafala Island – Funafuti Atoll
3 – Tepukahakai Beach – Tepuka Island – Funafuti Atoll
4 – Telele Beach – Telele Island – Funafuti Atoll
5 – North Fongafale Beach – Funafuti Atoll
6 – Te Afualiku Island Beach – Funafuti Atoll
7 – Fualifeke Pink Sand Beach, Fualifeke Island – Funafuti Atoll
8 – Avalau Island Beach – Funafuti Atoll
9 – Tefonufala Beach – Funafuti Atoll
10 – Lakina Beach – Nanumea Atoll
11 – Olosau Beach – Vaitupu Atoll

This guide was updated on August 2024