A beautiful island in the Pacific with clear blue waters is one of the world’s least-visited countries.
Niue is an island country in Polynesia with a population of just under 2,000 split into 14 villages. It is part of the Realm of New Zealand, a collection of states under King Charles.
The entire island is 100 square miles but the tourist board says “you will know half of the island before you leave”.
It also claims there are “no crowds, no queues, no traffic lights and a pace of life many yearn for” and it is “a place where nature hasn’t been broken… and things are ‘the way they used to be’”.
Despite the island’s beauty and allure, it has just 10,000 visitors annually, according to the UN World Tourism Organisation. The only countries that get less are the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu.
Many of Niue’s attractions centre around the rich coastline and beaches, with it being one of the largest coral islands in the world.
Humpback whale and dolphin spotting and snorkelling are popular among visitors and fishing is also enjoyed in Niue with it being described as a “fisherman’s secret paradise”.
It also has many well-marked trails that cater to all abilities, with the chance to see rainforests, jagged coral pinnacles, steep descents, and deep caves.
Niue is a great place to get away – the island has no shopping malls, only small local stores and a supermarket. It is home to a selection of restaurants serving traditional fare like coconut crab as well as other cuisines.
Niuean women are renowned for their artistry and skill with weaving and you will find handmade bags and hats at the local show days or at the twice-weekly market.
The traditional Vaka or canoe is still used to source food from the ocean. At Vaka sheds, visitors can experience traditional canoe making and carving and even try it out.
Those wishing to visit from the UK have to travel via New Zealand, which has a weekly roundtrip flight to Niue a week. This flight takes three hours.
There are a number of places to stay on the small island such as small holiday cottages, guesthouses and motels.
