• Begin in the capital, Funafuti, where the greatest attraction is the enormous Funafuti Lagoon. The lagoon is 14km (9 miles) wide and about 18km (11 miles) long and is excellent for swimming and snorkelling.

• Admire the abundant sea and wildlife in the Funafuti Marine Conservation Area. This protected marine park, consisting of six tiny islets, is home to numerous tropical fish, sea birds and turtles. Access is by private or chartered boat. Privately-owned boats are available for hire and trips can be made to the many beautiful uninhabited islets in the Funafuti atoll. 

• Visit the Philatelic Bureau, which provides stamps to collectors all over the world, and the University of the South Pacific Centre, which sells a range of books relating to Tuvalu and the surrounding region.

• Stand on the spot that made Tuvalu the focus of international scientific attention almost 100 years ago, when an expedition was sent from London to drill far into the ground to prove Charles Darwin's theory on the formation of coral atolls.

• Head to Funafala, the second most populated island in the atoll, which can be visited by taking the Funafuti Island Council's catamaran. There are no shops in Funafala, so visitors should take their own provisions. Traditional buildings with thatched roofs can be seen virtually everywhere on the islands.

• Dive or game fish; equipment is available in Funafuti. Visitors interested in watersports should bring their own equipment as there is little for hire. Swimmers should wear sand shoes as stonefish are an occasional hazard. Owing to the strong tide, swimming in the ocean is very dangerous. Swimming in the lagoon is considered fairly safe.

• Watch a game of kilikiti, a local version of cricket, or te ano, a much-loved traditional ball game reminiscent of volleyball.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.