Making the most of Alofi
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
As ships are moored or anchored in this port, you will be tendered ashore.
Alofi is the capital city of the Pacific Ocean nation of Niue. It has a population of 614 (census of 2001). It consists of the two villages Alofi North (pop. 256) and Alofi South, where the government headquarters are located (pop. 358).
Alofi has the distinction of being the second smallest national capital city in terms of population (after Ngerulmud, capital of Palau)
It is located at the center of Alofi Bay on the west coast of the island, close to the only break in the coral reef that surrounds Niue. The bay stretches for 30% of the island's length (about seven kilometers) from Halagigie Point in the south to Makapu Point in the north.
Getting around
Alofi is small enough to walk across in only a few minutes.
Cycling around the island takes around three hours.
Taxi's There are some very reliable taxis available, but their hours are variable and depending upon demand. Please check upon arrival with Niue Tourism Office for details.
You can hire a car, motorbike or bicycle for your stay.
The steps will take you down to the reef area and huge pools teeming with tropical fish, snorkeling is great for first timers during low tide however a guide is always recommended.
Food and shopping
Traditional Art Niuean weaving is considered amongst the finest in the Pacific and the local women are very proud of their skills; hats, mats, bags, and baskets are made from locally grown pandanus in totally traditional, fully manual methods.
None of the artworks you will find for sale are made in a factory in China, or anywhere but Niue!
Money
Niue uses the New Zealand dollar ($NZ).
Staying connected
Niueans are multi-lingual, fluent in both Niuean and English, so it's unlikely a visitor would find anyone who doesn't speak English.
Opening Hours and
Niue is not a 24-hour, 7-day culture. Getting your shopping done requires a bit of careful timing and planning to avoid the inconvenience of running out.
The islands major supermarket keeps limited hours due to the religious beliefs of its owners, so runs from Monday to Friday 9AM to 4PM.
On Sundays no activities are allowed.