Tuvalu - Clearance
COVID-19: Entry protocols for yachts have been affected by the pandemic. See the Biosecurity section for details.
PRE-ARRIVAL
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.
ARRIVAL FORMALITIES
Flying the Q flag, anchor off the southern end of Vaiaku by the wharf, for clearance. The clearance procedure here is very straightforward.
General Process:
First go to the government offices (a large three storey white building), where Immigration is located.
Next visit the hospital for health clearance.
After the hospital, visit Customs at the Commercial Wharf at the far end of town (a 30-minute walk to the north). The Customs officials may deal with everything in their office or may want to come out to the yacht. If this is the case, the officials must be ferried in the yacht’s own dinghy.
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 boat will find you.
No clearance is possible from 16:00 on Fridays until Monday morning.
For details of anchoring in the lagoon, see Funafuti.
Current policy is that all yachts MUST clear in and out of Tuvalu at Funafuti.
Visiting Outer Atolls
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.
New 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: November 2021
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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