Ocean Atlas · Pacific
Tokelau
Three remote atolls in the South Pacific that we love learning about.
Story only, for now. We love learning about this place and its ocean, so we share its story here and do not sell trips yet. Checked by Ocean Calling on 6 Oct 2026. Sources: Sea turtles and their traditional usage in Tokelau, SPREP library; Department of Transport and Support Services (Getting to Tokelau), Government of Tokelau; Tokelau protection coverage, SPREP PIPAP (search listing; page itself could not be opened).
Why: Tokelau's three atolls sit in a huge stretch of open Pacific that the territory has committed to protect as a whale sanctuary and shark sanctuary, and Fakaofo has had its own marine conservation area since 1992. Green turtles come to breed mostly from September to November, hawksbills live around all three atolls, and seabirds nest and rest on the islands. There is no airport and the only way in is the government ship from Samoa, so we share Tokelau as a story and a way to learn from island communities who care for their sea. If we ever visited, we would give every animal space and never swim with, touch or feed them.
Why Tokelau
Conservation-led. Ocean Calling guests never chase, touch or bait animals.
When to go
Timing changes a lot from place to place. See each place below.
We share this place as a story so you can learn. There is no Ocean Calling trip.
Can we travel here ethically?
Story only
We tell the story. We do not sell a trip here.
Checked 6 Oct 2026. Places change, so we look again every year.
Sources for this check
- Sea turtles and their traditional usage in Tokelau, SPREP library
- Department of Transport and Support Services (Getting to Tokelau), Government of Tokelau
- Tokelau protection coverage, SPREP PIPAP (search listing; page itself could not be opened)
- Biodiversity Conservation (whale and shark sanctuary), SPREP (search listing)
Where in Tokelau
We share these places as stories and research notes. We do not offer or sell trips here.
Fakaofo atoll
Story onlyA first place on our research list, with nothing verified yet.
Animals recorded in Tokelau
Tap an animal to learn how it lives, where it travels and how to meet it respectfully.
Green turtleChelonia mydasSeen in 103 countries in the AtlasLeast Concern
Hawksbill turtleEretmochelys imbricataSeen in 88 countries in the AtlasCritically Endangered
Blacktip reef sharkCarcharhinus melanopterusSeen in 38 countries in the AtlasVulnerable
Humphead wrasse (Napoleon wrasse)Cheilinus undulatusSeen in 34 countries in the AtlasEndangered
Whale sharkRhincodon typusSeen in 54 countries in the AtlasEndangered
Loggerhead turtleCaretta carettaSeen in 89 countries in the AtlasVulnerable
Giant clamTridacna gigasSeen in 12 countries in the AtlasCritically Endangered
Sperm whalePhyseter macrocephalusSeen in 114 countries in the AtlasVulnerable
Silky sharkCarcharhinus falciformisSeen in 48 countries in the AtlasVulnerableWhy this is a story, not a trip
Read our ethics check above. If you would like to talk about it, Rocío is happy to explain.
American Samoa
Australia
Cook Islands
Fiji
French Polynesia
Guam
Kiribati
Marshall Islands
Nauru
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Niue
Norfolk Island
Northern Mariana Islands
Papua New Guinea
Pitcairn Islands
Samoa
Solomon Islands
Tonga
Tuvalu
Vanuatu
Wallis and FutunaBased in Tokelau?
We are always happy to hear from exceptional local operators, accommodation, conservation organisations and destination experts in Tokelau. If your work fits responsible, small-group ocean travel, we would love to learn more.
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