PRE-ARRIVAL

Tuvalu does not require advance notice of arrival and as of May 2023 there are no specific requirements for Covid vaccinations or testing.

However, it is important that yachts do not stop at any of the other islands before clearing in (or out) at Funafuti. If you do so, even for an emergency, you might face difficulties with the police in Funafuti.

ARRIVAL FORMALITIES

Flying the Q flag, anchor off the southern end of Vaiaku by the wharf, for clearance. The clearance procedure here is very straightforward.

If you arrived on a Sunday, drop the anchor and stay on board until Monday.  Like many of the islands in the South Pacific, you can’t do anything on a Sunday, so be patient.

General Process:

Clearing in

First go to the government offices (the large three storey white building), where Immigration is located.

After Immigration, you must go to the Customs office that’s “Down at the Wharf” which is at the northern end of the Atoll (a 30-minute walk).  There is a Customs office in the government building, but they do not process boats.  (It is possible to rent motorbikes from the place on Tuvalu Road across from Halavai Market.)

The Customs officials may deal with everything in their office or may want to come out to the yacht. If this is the case, then you will have to ferry the officials in your own dinghy.

After Customs clearance, return to the government building for health clearance.  There is a AU$25 fee but it is possible to pay after you have completed formalities and been to the bank.

After health clearance, its agriculture/biosecurity clearance.  You will need to fill out a form and once the health fee is paid, formalities are completed.

A visit to the Town Council is also highly recommended. There you can purchase a permit to cruise in the lagoon, snorkel, go ashore etc. Without this permit, the police may come looking for you.

No clearance is possible from 16:00 on Fridays until Monday morning.

For details of anchoring in the lagoon, see Funafuti.

Current policy is that all yachts MUST clear in and out of Tuvalu at Funafuti.

Clearing out

First stop is Immigration in the government building. Then to the Customs office (the one at the north end, on the wharf.)  The most time-consuming aspect of clearing out will be getting from the government building down to the Customs office at the wharf.

Visiting Outer Atolls

In the past, it was possible to request permission to visit some of the Outer Atolls, (including Nukufetau & Namumea) after clearing out. However, unfortunately, this concession has been abused by some yachts and there are now new procedures in place.

New procedures require both Immigration AND Customs to each sign off on a permit AFTER they obtain approval from local Atoll Chiefs (and it seems local Chiefs don’t necessarily want visitors).

Any yachts who do actually manage to obtain permission to stop at either of these atolls would, under the new rules, have to return to Funafuti to clear out. In order to obtain permission, you will need to be determined, and have lots of time and local help.

This new policy is not likely to change soon and the latest reports from cruisers are that it’s impossible to get a permit.

Last updated:  July 2023

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