[Travel](https://tripguroo.com/en/travel/) › [Guides](https://tripguroo.com/en/travel/) › [Tokelau Islands (Atafu, Fakaofu, Union)](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/tokelau/) # Guide to Tokelau Islands (Atafu, Fakaofu, Union) To visit Tokelau Islands (Atafu, Fakaofu, Union), check entry requirements, connectivity and this guide’s local references. Tokelau consists of three atolls where visits depend on arrangements with communities. It is not a destination for an improvised arrival: relationships with hosts underpin all the logistics. [Places in Tokelau Islands (Atafu, Fakaofu, Union) · 1 catalog places →](https://tripguroo.com/en/places/tokelau/) ## Visa for your trip Your passport countrySelect countryAfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAndorraAngolaAntigua & BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBhutanBoliviaBosnia & HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBruneiBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCape VerdeCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaColombiaComorosCongo - BrazzavilleCongo - KinshasaCosta RicaCôte d’IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzechiaDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFijiFinlandFranceGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGrenadaGuatemalaGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHondurasHong Kong SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLaosLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacao SAR ChinaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMauritaniaMauritiusMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmar (Burma)NamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNorth KoreaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSamoaSan MarinoSão Tomé & PríncipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth KoreaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSt. Kitts & NevisSt. LuciaSt. Vincent & GrenadinesSudanSurinameSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaThailandTimor-LesteTogoTongaTrinidad & TobagoTunisiaTürkiyeTurkmenistanTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited StatesUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVatican CityVenezuelaVietnamYemenZambiaZimbabweChoose the passport you travel with. The lookup adapts automatically. Conditions and other situationsShort tourist stays with an ordinary passport. Residence, other visas, stay length and transit can change the requirement. Check with the authority before booking or travelling. [Destination source](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/) · [Check itinerary with IATA](https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/passport-visa-health-travel-document-requirements.htm) Enable JavaScript to adapt this lookup to your passport. You can also check the destination source. ## eSIM and connectivity Compare Saily and Airalo plans. Check destination coverage and phone compatibility on the provider’s website. 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View 45 missions and contacts ### [Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, Wellington](https://www.mofaic.gov.ae/missions/UAE-Missions-Abroad/UAE-Missions-Abroad-Details?countryId=0dca8a36-58cc-46f2-9ccc-c793b39540c0) Wellington Level 7, Featherston House,119-123 Featherston Street,Wellington 6011[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q81987994) ### [embassy of Argentina in New Zealand](https://enzel.cancilleria.gob.ar/) Wellington 15 Murphy Street[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110249753) ### [Australian Consulate-General in Auckland](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q124612867) Auckland Region Level 7 HSBC Tower 188 Quay Street, Auckland, 1010[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q124612867) ### [Australian High Commission in New Zealand](https://newzealand.highcommission.gov.au/) Wellington City 72-76 Hobson Street, Thorndon, Wellington 6011[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q106548359) ### [embassy of Brazil in New Zealand](http://wellington.itamaraty.gov.br/) Wellington Maritime Tower, 10 Customhouse Quay[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105828700) ### [Embassy of Switzerland in New Zealand](https://www.eda.admin.ch/wellington) Wellington 10 Customhouse Quay, Wellington 6011[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q42417153) ### [embassy of Chile in New Zealand](https://chile.gob.cl/nueva-zelandia) Wellington Pencarrow House, 1 Willeston Street[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110388651) ### [Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China, Auckland](http://auckland.china-consulate.gov.cn/) Auckland Region 588 Great South Road, Ellerslie, Auckland[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5100422) ### [Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Christchurch](http://christchurch.china-consulate.gov.cn/) Christchurch 106 Hansons Lane, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q115966342) ### [Embassy of the People's Republic of China, Wellington](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q115966538) Wellington 2-6 Glenmore Street, Kelburn, Wellington, New Zealand[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q115966538) ### [embassy of Cuba in New Zealand](http://misiones.cubaminrex.cu/es/nueva-zelanda) Wellington 11 Baroda Street[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111809726) ### [Embassy of Germany, Wellington](https://wellington.diplo.de/) Wellington City 90-92 Hobson Street[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5369702) ### [embassy of Egypt in New Zealand](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111820891) Wellington 5 Willeston Street[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111820891) ### [Embassy of Spain, Wellington](http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/Wellington) Wellington 50 Manners Street[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q62010305) ### [Embassy of France, Wellington](https://nz.ambafrance.org/) Wellington 20 Ballance Street[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2841770) ### [British Consulate General Auckland](https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-consulate-general-auckland) Auckland Region Level 17/151 Queen Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q59290262) ### [British High Commission, Wellington](https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-high-commission-wellington) Wellington 44 Hill Street, Thorndon[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18588889) ### [embassy of Hungary in New Zealand](https://wellington.mfa.gov.hu/) Wellington 101 Lambton Quay[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111822707) ### [embassy of Indonesia, Wellington](https://kemlu.go.id/wellington) Wellington [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107552643) ### [embassy of Ireland in New Zealand](https://www.ireland.ie/en/new-zealand/wellington/) Wellington 86 Victoria Street[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104889488) ### [embassy of Israel in New Zealand](https://embassies.gov.il/wellington) Wellington 36 Brandon Street[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111883240) ### [embassy of Iran in New Zealand](https://newzealand.mfa.ir/) Wellington 151 Te Anau Road[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111835509) ### [Italy. Embassy (New Zealand)](https://ambwellington.esteri.it/) Wellington 34-38 Grant Road, Thorndon[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104113561) ### [Consulate-General of Japan, Auckland](https://www.auckland.nz.emb-japan.go.jp/) Auckland Region [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q78870217) ### [Consular Office of Japan, Christchurch](https://www.nz.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/consular_office.html) Christchurch [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q79477385) ### [Embassy of Japan, Wellington](https://www.nz.emb-japan.go.jp/) Wellington The Majestic Centre, 100 Willis Street[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q45755075) ### [Embassy of South Korea, Wellington](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q55734486) Wellington 2 Hunter Street, Wellington 6011[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q55734486) ### [embassy of Kuwait in New Zealand](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111884821) Wellington Maritime Tower, 10 Customhouse Quay[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111884821) ### [Embassy of the Netherlands in New Zealand](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102296565) Wellington 20 Ballance Street[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102296565) ### [embassy of Peru in New Zealand](https://www.gob.pe/embajada-del-peru-en-nueva-zelanda) Wellington 11 Chews Lane[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110656796) ### [Embassy of the Philippines in New Zealand](https://www.philembassy.org.nz/) Wellington 50 Hobson Street, Thorndon[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111896202) ### [Embassy of Poland, Wellington](https://www.gov.pl/web/nowazelandia) Wellington 142-144 Featherston Street[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q30905790) ### [embassy of Russia in New Zealand](https://newzealand.mid.ru/) Wellington 57 Messines Road[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q109981663) ### [Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Wellington](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q54857211) Wellington 125 The Terrace, Wellington 6011[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q54857211) ### [embassy of Thailand in New Zealand](https://wellington.thaiembassy.org/) Wellington 110 Molesworth Street[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111898664) ### [embassy of East Timor in New Zealand](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111899107) Wellington 231 Thorndon Quay[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111899107) ### [Embassy of Turkey, Wellington](https://wellington-emb.mfa.gov.tr/) Wellington City 15-17 Murphy Street[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q109539003) ### [Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Auckland](http://www.roc-taiwan.org/nzakl_en/index.html) Auckland Region Level 15, Tower 2, 205 Queen Street, Auckland 1010[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q100661659) ### [Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New Zealand](http://www.roc-taiwan.org/NZ/) Wellington [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q24998521) ### [Embassy of Ukraine, Auckland](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q138483563) [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q138483563) ### [Consulate General of the United States, Auckland](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q113986866) [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q113986866) ### [Embassy of the United States, Wellington](https://nz.usembassy.gov/) Wellington 29 Fitzherbert Terrace[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5369975) ### [Apostolic Nunciature to New Zealand](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12785022) Wellington 178 Onslow Road[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12785022) ### [embassy of Vietnam in New Zealand](https://vnembassy-wellington.mofa.gov.vn/) Wellington 2-6 Gilmer Terrace[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111900769) ### [Embajada de México en Nueva Zelanda](https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/nuevazelandia) Wellington [Source](https://portales.sre.gob.mx/directorio/embajadas-de-mexico-en-el-exterior) ## Highlights ### [Nukunonu](https://tripguroo.com/en/places/ciudad-nukunonu/) The main settlement on Nukunonu Atoll, in Tokelau. ## Complete guide · chapter reading [Introduction](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/tokelau/#full-chapter-0) · [Regions](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/tokelau/#full-chapter-1) · [Understand](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/tokelau/#full-chapter-2) · [Get in](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/tokelau/#full-chapter-3) · [Get around](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/tokelau/#full-chapter-4) · [Talk](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/tokelau/#full-chapter-5) · [See](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/tokelau/#full-chapter-6) · [Buy](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/tokelau/#full-chapter-8) · [Eat](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/tokelau/#full-chapter-9) · [Drink](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/tokelau/#full-chapter-10) · [Sleep](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/tokelau/#full-chapter-11) · [Learn](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/tokelau/#full-chapter-12) · [Stay safe](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/tokelau/#full-chapter-13) · [Stay healthy](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/tokelau/#full-chapter-14) · [Connect](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/tokelau/#full-chapter-16) ## Introduction Tokelau is a group of three atolls in , north of , about halfway between proper (which administers the territory) and . ## Regions AtafuNukunonuFakaofo ## Understand Originally settled by Polynesian emigrants from surrounding island groups, the Tokelau Islands were made a British protectorate in 1889. They were transferred to New Zealand administration in 1925. Tokelau's small size (three villages), isolation, and lack of resources greatly restrain economic development and confine agriculture to the subsistence level. The territory relies heavily on aid from New Zealand, about $4 million annually which is substantially greater than GDP. The principal sources of revenue come from sales of copra, domain names, postage stamps, souvenir coins and handicrafts. Tokelau was on the east side of the International Date Line until it joined with Samoa and skipped 30 December 2011 and jumped at midnight from UTC -11 to UTC +13 and 29 Dec to 31 Dec. Climate Tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November) The average annual temperature is about 28°C. Rainfall is irregular but heavy. There are downpours of up to 80 mm in a single day, which are possible any time. Tokelau is at the north edge of the main hurricane belt, but tropical storms sometimes sweep through between November and March. Since 1846, Tokelau had only experienced three recorded hurricanes. In February 1990, waves from Hurricane Ofa broke across the atolls, washing topsoil away and contaminating the freshwater lens. Residual salt prevented new plant growth for months. Hurricane Val in 1992 and Hurricane Percy in 2005 caused additional damage. Landscape Tokelau consists of three atolls, each with a lagoon surrounded by a number of reef-bound islets of varying length and rising to over three metres above sea level. ## Get in Tokelau's borders are closed to visitors until further notice. 2026-07-06 Tokelau is one of the most remote places on the planet. With no airports and only sporadic ferry services, a visit will take a minimum of two weeks if everything goes to plan, but quite possibly much longer if it doesn't. Visas All visitors except citizens of are required to obtain a travel permit from the Tokelau Liaison Office in , prior to travel, and it takes about 1-2 months to process the application, so you should begin the process way in advance. Regular New Zealand visas are not valid for travel to Tokelau. New Zealand citizens may visit Tokelau for up to 10 days without a travel permit. By plane Tokelau has no airports. Lagoon landings are possible by amphibious aircraft. The nearest airport with international flights is in , . By boat Tokelau has no ports or harbours; offshore anchorage only. A twice monthly service runs from on board the MV Mataliki, with capacity for 60 passengers. The ferry visits all three atolls, for a one-way journey time of 24 to 36 hours depending on which one you're going to. Schedules are subject to change and often unreliable; call the office at +685 28 491. Foreigners take last priority in securing a place. By cruise Due to its lack of docking facilities, Tokelau does not feature on any major cruise chip itineraries, but it is (very) occasionally visited by small-boat "expedition" cruises sailing the Pacific. ## Get around Most people get around by car or bikes in Tokelau. People buy them from either classified ads or agencies that help with importing. ## Talk Tokelauan, a Polynesian language closely related to Samoan and Tuvaluan, is the native language, and most people can speak and understand English. The name Tokelau is a Polynesian word meaning "north wind" ## See Tokelau is the habitat for several native plant and insect species as well as whales, dolphins and land crabs. 29 bird species live on the islands. ## Buy Money USD,EUR,GBP,AUD The currency used in Tokelau is the New Zealand dollar, denoted by the symbol "$" or "NZ$" (ISO code: NZD). It is divided into 100 cents. In this guide, the "$" symbol denotes New Zealand dollars unless otherwise indicated. Some Tokelauan dollar notes have been produced but are hard to find. Costs ## Eat The Luana Liki Hotel in Nukunonu is the only public eating place. If you are staying at the Luana Liki, you will get three meals a day included in the price. ## Drink Samoan beer is available in shops and at the Luana Liki Hotel, but sale is strictly rationed in Nukunonu. The legal drinking age is 18. ## Sleep The Luana Liki Hotel in Nukunonu is Tokelau's only commercial accommodation. Homestays may be arranged in advanced through the Tokelau-Apia Liaison Office in Samoa. ## Learn Education in Tokelau for children between the ages of 5-18 is available and free. Each atoll has a primary and secondary school. The education system is similar to that in New Zealand. The schools have levels or classes running from Early Childhood Education (ECE) right through to Year 11. At Year 11, students are required to sit a National examination. This examination is used to determine which students will continue Year 12 studies under the Tokelau Scholarship Scheme. The successful students commence Year 12 and 13 studies in Samoa. Schools are under the administration of the Taupulega's (Village council). The Education department plays a supporting role in providing training and workshops for Principals and teachers, assisting in other developments with the schools, the setting and marking of the Year 11 National Examinations and so forth. ## Stay safe Tokelau lies in the Pacific typhoon belt, and most of Tokelau is only 2 metres above sea level making it particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels. Over 96% of the population has access to safe water and just over 70% has access to adequate sanitary facilities. Health indicators are good and there is universal access to health care. ## Stay healthy Each atoll has a hospital. The health services have a Director of Health based in Apia and a Chief Clinical Advisor who moves from atoll to atoll as required to assist the doctors attached to each hospital. An outbreak of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne disease, started in 2014, so take . ## Connect Tokelau has a radio telephone service between the islands and to Samoa and is government regulated. Text by Wikivoyage contributors. Article edition: 2026-07-06T00:29:46Z · [Source and revision](https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5304285) · [Authors and history](https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Tokelau&action=history) · [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) ## Local food ### Pescado de la comunidad Fish prepared by hosts, with varying recipes. ### Fruto del pan cocido Regional staple served according to the household. ### Preparaciones de coco Coconut foods shared with other Pacific traditions. ## Local drinks ### Agua de coco verde A drink documented in Tokelau foodways and shared with other Pacific islands. Alcohol-free ### Kaleve fresco Sweet sap collected from the coconut palm; this entry describes its unfermented form. Alcohol-free Plan your itinerary ### Arrival by sea Check transport from Samoa and visiting authorisation directly; reconfirm dates and return arrangements. ### Arranged stay Arrange accommodation and meals with the receiving atoll, including dietary needs and water. ### Taupulega Respect community authorities’ decisions on photography, the coast and gatherings. Local reading and routesTravel requires prior coordination with Tokelau. Arrange food and drinks with your hosts; local tradition does not imply a regular tourist service. ## Sources [Gobierno de Tokelau · preguntas de visita](https://www.tokelau.org.nz/Tokelau%2BGovernment/Visiting%2BTokelau/FAQs.html) · [Gobierno de Tokelau · turismo](https://www.tokelau.org.nz/Tokelau%2BGovernment/Visiting%2BTokelau/Tourist%2BInformation.html) · [Whistler · Ethnobotany of Tokelau, investigación cultural](https://brb.sprep.org/sites/default/files/2025-05/Ethnobotany%20of%20Tokelau%20-%20Arthur%20Whistler.pdf) · [Max Planck Institute · léxico polinesio, kaleve en Tokelau](https://pollex.eva.mpg.de/entry/kaleve/)Wikivoyage contributors; selection, abridgement, translation and regional planning by TRIPGUROO · CC BY-SA 4.0 [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) · [Wikivoyage · Tokelau](https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5304285) [Guides by topic](https://tripguroo.com/en/travel/?view=topics)