Nauru travel guide

Four-fifths of Nauru's land area is apparently covered in phosphate deposits. Those were once very valued, so in 1907 the mining started. Over time it created a big business, which is still evident today. In the outskirts of Boe lies a huge dilapidated phosphate factory. Though it was abandoned many years ago, the entrance is still (lightly) guarded.

Some of beaches on Nauru have a small park with picnic tables, but the one at Anetan are just natural. As there are many signs nailed on the palm trees encouraging a clean beach, the beautiful rough sandy stretch seem less trashy.

Anibare Beach is considered one of Nauru's best beaches. It's fairly long with white sand and lots of tall and twisted limestone formations at the north end. As the bottom of the lagoon is covered with sharp stones and there can be strong undercurrents, it's not ideal to swim here. Instead, head to Anibare Harbour at the south end. Midway on the beach is an Japanese "pillbox" from WWII (picture).

Nauru is not protected by an outer reef like on an atolls, so the sea can be rough with big rolling waves come crashing over the shore reef and strong undercurrents. Anibare Harbour is protected and don't have sharp corals and stones on the bottom, so it's the main swimming spots for both kids and adults. It's particularly popular in the cooler evenings.

The northern coastline is one little community after another. The houses are often dilapidated, but the people are friendly, something that can't be said about the barking dogs (they can bite, so bring rocks). There are usually a few small shops owned by Chinese and then a church or two.

What Yaren lack of shops and restaurants, next door Boe has. However, it's still no more than a collection of some ramshackle houses, a hotel, and a business complex. Residents are hidden in the woods towards Topside, the local name for the raised plateau in the middle of Nauru. Boe has surprisingly many Chinese restaurants, all with the same nondescript menu. The old and abandoned phosphate factory at the outskirt takes up a huge amount of space. Maybe that's why most of the government buildings are located in neighbouring Yaren on the far side of the landing strip, as far away from the factory as possible.

Nauru is surprisingly green and lush. A particularly lovely and shady patch is the inland lagoon of Buada. A beautiful deep green lagoon surrounded by a few houses, but otherwise high grass and tall palm trees. It's always possible to find a place in shade, something that is highly valued in hot and humid Nauru.

Right across the road from the Capelle shopping complex (supermarket, cafe and a few other shops) is the Ewa Beach Park. The palms are picturesque and the picnic huts shady, but the beach isn't the best.

High placed among the pinnacles stand this huge Japanese gun from WWII. The short, but tricky, hike from the road is equal interesting as it zigzags through a plain of pointy pinnacles. Start by taking the paved road towards the Buada Lagoon. After the big parking area, turn left where the dirt work road intersect. There is a barrier across the work road. Right after the barrier a trail to the left leads into the pinnacles. Follow the trail and you will soon see the gun appear over the tops on your right-hand side. It can be hard to follow the trail through the pinnacles, but the correct path will be white compared to the otherwise black surface of the pinnacles.

Another Japanese gun from WWII is hidden in the high grass near the airport. Not sure if this was the original location for the gun, or it has been moved to here.