Stunning, truly stunning. The weather was in our favor as we approached and remained in Niue. We were fortunate enough to spend 9 days soaking in the natural beauty of this island nation. Niue is home to approximately 1,700 people, an unknown number of endemic highly venomous Katuali sea snakes, and scores of humpback whales during calving season. We were constantly surrounded by very friendly people, snakes, and whales. Niueans are also New Zealand citizens, and many more of them reside down south than on Niue. There is a definite Kiwi influence throughout the island that you can hear in accents, see in shops, and taste on the menus. The capital of Alofi, where we moored our boat, is one of the least populated capital cities in the world with around 600 people residing there. The sea snakes, while potentially deadly to humans, are not actually a concern because their mouths are really too small to bite us. They are curious and move with such grace underwater. Aside from a few moments on land when they hatch in dry sea caves, they spend the rest of their lives at sea amid the coral gardens and underwater caverns surrounding the island. The humpback whales visit each year to give birth and nurse their young before returning to Antarctic waters to feed. They swam right through the mooring field often, gliding past and between boats, and we saw them frolicking just off the shoreline daily.
At 100 square miles total area, Niue is the largest raised coral limestone island in the world. A raised coral limestone island forms when seismic shifts lift an atoll up out of the ocean. The highest point on the island is roughly 200 feet above sea level. Driving around the perimeter road of the island is approximately 40 miles. We spent our days exploring land and sea and it was just awesome. We also have to mention the wharf with the fun-to-use hoist system we operated to lift our dinghy out of the water each time we went ashore. Pictures and words barely do justice to Niue. We went scuba diving, hiked through forests and in chasms, swam and snorkeled in pools, and explored caverns and caves. Every hike was different, every meal was delicious, every dive was exciting, and we fell in love with this country. We would return in a heartbeat if the winds would allow.
Next Stops: Vava’u and Ha’apai in the Kingdom of Tonga
Most excellent 🍻
This is beautiful! Niue is set up for tourists (paths with ladders and guard ropes, caution signs). But are there other sources of income for the 1700 inhabitants?
That looks fantastic!! Wow, your adventure is truly amazing. Thanks for sharing! hs
Wow! Beautiful pictures. Sounds like an incredible place to visit and explore.
The sea snake video was fascinating. You can see them searching for food in crevasses and under rocks. Nonetheless, my breathing was noticeably shallow as I watched…Anaconda… ;’)