Tuvalu - Clearance
Tuvalu Pre-Arrival Procedures for Yachts
Tuvalu does not require advance notice of arrival. However, it is important that yachts do not stop at any of the other islands before clearing in (or out) at Funafuti. If you do so, even for an emergency, you might face difficulties with the police in Funafuti.
Ports of Entry
Current policy is that all yachts MUST clear in and out of Tuvalu at Funafuti.
Tuvalu Arrival Procedures for Yachts
- Fly the Q flag.
- For details of anchoring in the lagoon, see Funafuti.
- Anchor off the southern end of Vaiaku by the wharf, for clearance.
- If you arrived on a Sunday, drop the anchor and stay on board until Monday. Like many of the islands in the South Pacific, you can’t do anything on a Sunday, so be patient.
- No clearance is possible from 16:00 on Fridays until Monday morning.
General Procedure
The clearance procedure here is very straightforward.
1. Immigration: First go to the government offices (the large three storey white building), where Immigration is located.
2. Customs: After Immigration, you must go to the Customs office that’s “Down at the Wharf” which is at the northern end of the Atoll (a 30-minute walk). There is a Customs office in the government building, but they do not process boats. (It is possible to rent motorbikes from the place on Tuvalu Road across from Halavai Market.)
The Customs officials may deal with everything in their office or may want to come out to the yacht. If this is the case, then you will have to ferry the officials in your own dinghy.
3. Health: After Customs clearance, return to the government building for health clearance. There is a AU$25 fee but it is possible to pay after you have completed formalities and been to the bank.
4. Agriculture/Biosecurity: After health clearance, its agriculture/biosecurity clearance. You will need to fill out a form and once the health fee is paid, formalities are completed.
5. Permits: A visit to the Town Council is also highly recommended. There you can purchase a permit to cruise in the lagoon, snorkel, go ashore etc. Without this permit, the police may come looking for you.
Tuvalu Departure Procedures for Yachts
First stop is Immigration in the government building. Then to the Customs office (the one at the north end, on the wharf.) The most time-consuming aspect of clearing out will be getting from the government building down to the Customs office at the wharf.
Visiting the Outer Atolls of Tuvalu
In the past, it was possible to request permission to visit some of the Outer Atolls, (including Nukufetau & Namumea) after clearing out. However, unfortunately, this concession has been abused by some yachts and there are now new procedures in place.
These procedures require both Immigration AND Customs to each sign off on a permit AFTER they obtain approval from local Atoll Chiefs (and it seems local Chiefs don’t necessarily want visitors).
Any yachts who do actually manage to obtain permission to stop at either of these atolls would, under the new rules, have to return to Funafuti to clear out. In order to obtain permission, you will need to be determined, and have lots of time and local help.
This new policy is not likely to change soon and the latest reports from cruisers are that it’s impossible to get a permit.
Last updated: April 2024
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November 2019
No longer possible to visit any of the islands outside of Funafuti lagoon. We asked several times, but were refused permission.
You also require a ‘cruising permit’ to visit any of the other islands/ areas within the lagoon but outside of the main anchorage area.
This costs $100 aud and is obtained by visiting the council office ( about 20 mins walk north of the government offices)
Port control advised we berth to new wharf and await clearance. After a couple of hours we had visits from customs and immigration. All stamped and cleared we were advised to visit health people at hospital. Next day was fine. Skipper went alone and completed documents. He was advised there would be a $25 charge but health people said this is no longer the case. No charges for entry or exit.
The seven motus south of the commercial passage are now conservation areas. A fee plus a guide are required to visit. Everywhere else in the lagoon is open for visiting.
Still no possibility of visiting other atolls without returning to Funafuti to clear out.
Wifi is available at the telecom building $20 for 1.5gig
There is a market for fresh vegetables open 6am Saturday and Tuesday.wait at the farm gate on other side of airport terminal.put name on list for your share of distribution cost us $15 for six distributions.take the crew as each person collect their pile after the staff shares it out. Was a great place to talk to locals while it all came together.
Beer available at steel cage window located front of hotel down the road from bank.
November 2018:
Check-in is easy, first Immigration, then Health (cost 25 AUD) in the Hospital and Customs at the Wharf at the end of the town (30 min walk) After that it is highly recommended also go to the Town Council. There you get the permit to cruise in the lagoon. Without this permit the police boat comes and you get fined.
Cost of the permit:
Cruising 50 AUD
Snorkeling 10 AUD per person
Going ashore 50 AUD
You get this price list from the Town Council
No chance at all to get a permit to visit other atolls.
The impression was that the officials are not willing to change this in the future