Nanumea Atoll
Nanumea Atoll is a picturesque coral reef in the Pacific Ocean, located in the northwest of the small island nation of Tuvalu. Nanumea is externally similar to a boomerang, it stretches for 10 km and is up to 2.5 km wide. Despite its small area of 3.87 km², Nanumea is the largest atoll in Tuvalu. The atoll’s five islands surround a central lagoon, which is divided into two deep basins.
General information
The largest of the atoll’s islands is 3 meters long. It is home to the villages of Lolua and Haumaefa. The second largest island, Lakena, is also inhabited by people, while the other three islands are uninhabited. Nanumea Atoll has a population of about 600 people.
.The locals communicate in Tuvalu and English and practice Christianity. They also maintain traditional animalistic beliefs. According to legend, the first inhabitants of the atoll were two women, Pai and Vau, who fished. The sand falling from their baskets formed the largest island of Nanumea Atoll.
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In addition to the beautiful nature, clean sea, excellent beaches and distinctive culture of the locals, tourists coming to Nanumea Atoll, attracted by the opportunity to visit the wrecked ships and warplanes. The fact is that during the Second World War there was a base of the U.S. Navy. You can view the beautiful landscapes by climbing the bell tower of the local Catholic Cathedral.
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Due to the remoteness of the atoll, only 1,000 travelers visit the Tuvalu archipelago each year. The growth of tourist flow is limited by the low level of service and the high cost of flights. Mostly tourists from Japan, .How to get there
Nanumea Atoll is located 640 kilometers south of the equator and 475 kilometers from the capital city of Funafuti. The atoll can only be accessed by sea.
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