Things to Do in Tuvalu in August
August weather, activities, events & insider tips
August Weather in Tuvalu
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
Is August Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
- + August is the dry season's tail end - you'll get sunshine 70% of the time with afternoon clouds that make photography better
- + The lagoon temperature hits 28°C (82°F) - good for swimming without that shock-factor when you first jump in
- + Island dance practices for September's Tuvalu Day start in August - you'll hear drums from the maneapa (meeting hall) most evenings in Funafuti
- + Migrant birds arrive from Alaska and Siberia - birdwatchers can spot 30+ species including the rare bristle-thighed curlew
- − The UV index hits 8 by 10am - you'll burn in 15 minutes without proper protection, and shade is limited on the smaller islets
- − Fresh produce gets scarce as supply ships run less frequently - expect canned goods and frozen chicken toward month's end
- − Internet speeds drop to near-dial-up levels when the satellite connection gets overloaded (which happens most afternoons)
Best Activities in August
Top things to do during your visit
August's clarity is unreal - 30m (98ft) visibility isn't unusual, and the lagoon's 28°C (82°F) water means you can stay in for hours. The coral bommies around Tepuka Island are shallow enough for beginners but packed with parrotfish and the occasional reef shark. Morning tours beat both the afternoon clouds and the outgoing tide that can make swimming back to boat channels tricky.
August's southeast trade winds make the 2-3 hour boat rides between islands surprisingly comfortable - you're going with the wind instead of against it. These outer islands see maybe ten tourists per month, so you'll likely have the beaches to yourself. The old church stone ruins on Nanumaga date from possibly 1400 years ago, and local kids will show you where to find them for the equivalent of a dollar.
August evenings mean fatele practice sessions - the whole community gathers in the maneapa to rehearse for upcoming celebrations. The drumming starts around 7pm and carries across the lagoon, a rhythmic pulse that makes the wooden meeting hall vibrate. You're welcome to watch, and eventually they'll motion you to join the sitting dancers - just copy the hand movements and try not to laugh when everyone claps off-beat.
The Americans left behind more rusting hardware than Tuvalu has people - August's lower tides expose plane wrecks and gun emplacements you can't see other months. Walk the ocean side of Fongafale at low tide (check the guesthouse tide chart) and you'll spot the tail section of a B-24 bomber sticking out of the sand, plus ammunition boxes that have become artificial reefs.
August's calm evenings are good for the Tuvaluan tradition of sunset fishing from the causeway. Locals use hand lines wrapped around plastic bottles to catch reef fish that taste completely different from anything you'll eat back home - the parrotfish has a sweet, almost mango-like flavor. The technique is dead simple: wrap the line around your hand, drop the hook baited with hermit crab, and feel for the tug.
August Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
While the actual Gospel Day is in October, August is when communities start practicing their choral performances. Every evening you'll hear harmonies drifting from different churches - Tuvalu's gospel tradition produces spine-tingling harmonies that would sell out concerts elsewhere. The rehearsals are open, and visitors who sit quietly through a full practice often get invited for post-rehearsia refreshments.
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