Ocean Atlas · Pacific
Tuvalu
A tiny Pacific atoll nation with a protected lagoon area where green turtles nest and seabirds breed.
Ethics pass, with care. We found a way to visit this country that meets our animal-welfare standard, as long as we work with the right local operator. Checked by Ocean Calling on 30 Sep 2026. Sources: Funafuti Marine Conservation Area, Timeless Tuvalu (Government of Tuvalu tourism site); Diving and Snorkeling, Timeless Tuvalu; Tuvalu travel advice, UK FCDO, updated 19 Mar 2026.
Why Tuvalu
Tuvalu is a small country of low coral atolls, reached only through Fiji. Funafuti has a conservation area of about 33 square km, made in 1999, where green turtles nest and black noddies breed, and visitors can walk and snorkel. There is no dive centre in Tuvalu and no recompression chamber was found, so any water time would be gentle snorkelling only. We are still learning about the local rules and fees.
Conservation-led. Ocean Calling guests never chase, touch or bait animals.
When to go
Jun-Oct. Timing changes by place and by animal, so check each place below.
We have researched this place and keep learning about it. There is no trip here yet.
Can we travel here ethically?
Ethics pass, with care
Good with the right operator. Here is how we choose.
Funafuti has a conservation area where turtles nest and seabirds breed, and visitors can walk and snorkel. We could not confirm its rules, fees or how they are enforced, and there is no dive centre or confirmed chamber. So we would snorkel gently with local permission, keep our distance from nesting turtles and birds, and never touch or feed. We are still learning.
Evidence is still thin here. We are checking again with official sources.
Checked 30 Sep 2026. Places change, so we look again every year.
Where in Tuvalu
Short notes from our research. Wildlife is never guaranteed.
Funafuti Conservation Area
ExploringA protected area of reef, lagoon and small islets, about a fifth of the Funafuti lagoon reef, where green turtles nest.
🤿 In the water: Coral reef snorkelling (local permission first, rules still being confirmed)
⛵ From the boat or shore, never in the water: Green turtles nesting (keep your distance), Black noddy colony on Fualopa (from a distance)
When: Jun-Oct. The cyclone season is normally November to May, so June to October is the calmer choice for planning. Currents on the reef can be strong, and the lagoon near the town is polluted, so swimming there is discouraged.
Animals recorded in Tuvalu
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
Black noddyAnous minutusSeen in 37 countries in the AtlasLeast Concern
Blacktip reef sharkCarcharhinus melanopterusSeen in 38 countries in the AtlasVulnerable
Sperm whalePhyseter macrocephalusSeen in 114 countries in the AtlasVulnerable
Whitetip reef sharkTriaenodon obesusSeen in 43 countries in the AtlasVulnerable
Humphead wrasse (Napoleon wrasse)Cheilinus undulatusSeen in 34 countries in the AtlasEndangered
Grey reef sharkCarcharhinus amblyrhynchosSeen in 33 countries in the AtlasEndangered
Picasso triggerfish (lagoon triggerfish)Rhinecanthus aculeatusSeen in 41 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernTell Rocío what you would love to see
There is no trip here yet. If enough people ask, it helps us decide where to go next.
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
Tokelau
Tonga
Vanuatu
Wallis and FutunaBased in Tuvalu?
We are always happy to hear from exceptional local operators, accommodation, conservation organisations and destination experts in Tuvalu. If your work fits responsible, small-group ocean travel, we would love to learn more.
Partner with Ocean CallingNew: tiger sharks in Fuvahmulah, January or March 2027
from CHF 2,900