Destination:
Tuvalu

Halfway between Hawaii and Australia the remote Polynesian island nation Tuvalu keeps its beauty mostly to itself. Large beautiful lagoons and coral reefs form most of the nine islands. While the land remains above water, tourists can enjoy pristine palm lined coastlines in non-commercialised areas.

A lack of tourism industry means visitors are usually left to their own devices for beach side and water activities. Travellers should bring their own boogie board and flippers to explore the many beaches and lagoons. The capitol Funafuti offers simple accommodation in six small hotels which sometimes host feasts and dances. Tourists may also be interested in Tuvalu's production of collectible stamps. Unfortunately tourism is growing at about the pace of the coral and neither is enough to keep the island afloat.

While rising sea levels threaten a number of low lying countries, Tuvalu's three islands and six atolls will be the first to take the plunge. The country's leaders are trying to find high and dry quarters for Tuvalu's 12,000 people in New Zealand and Australia. Each year only 75 people are allowed to emigrate to New Zealand although many more would like to leave.

The nation has no fresh water, no natural resources and terrible soil for agriculture that is being further degraded by salt water seeping through porous coral ground. A little windfall recently befell the island by the good fortune of their internet suffix ".tv" which is sold to television company websites. Yet despite the nation's woes a hardy few tourists that make the voyage find a pleasant hospitable country with a unique atoll geography.

Tuvalu's atolls were formed when coral rings grew around sinking volcanic islands (yes, sinking is a recurrent theme in Tuvalu). The coral continues to grow upward while the central islands eventually disappeared leaving lagoons in their stead. The nine islands are spread over 420 miles (676km) of ocean but together comprise only 10 square miles (26 km) to explore.

Funafuti is connected to Fiji through bi-weekly flights although the remoteness of the islands make it a pricey journey. Increased tourism may throw the remote island a thin lifeline but its future is anything but smooth sailing.