Alofi

Alofi, the capital of Niue, is one of the smallest and sleepiest national capitals in the world, a strung-out, laid-back settlement along the west coast of the island, home to only a few hundred people. More a relaxed village than a town, it has a gentle, unhurried pace, with a handful of shops, cafes and eateries, government buildings, a market, and a wharf where boats are craned in and out of the sea, for the rugged coast has no harbour. Alofi serves as the island's hub and base, a friendly, low-key introduction to Niue, from which its dramatic coastal chasms, caves, pools and crystal waters are all easily reached.

What to look for

• The laid-back capital - the sleepy, strung-out west-coast town.
• The wharf - the boats craned in and out of the sea.
• The market and eateries - the shops, cafes and market.
• The coastal access - the base for the chasms and pools.

When to go

May to October, the drier, cooler season, for the best weather; Alofi is quiet and relaxed year-round, and its sights are few, so it serves best as a comfortable base for exploring the island's coastal wonders. Note that Niue observes Sunday strictly as a day of rest, when almost everything closes.

What to expect

Alofi is tiny, sleepy and low-key, more a relaxed village than a capital, with only a handful of shops and eateries and few sights of its own, and Niue observes Sunday strictly as a quiet day of rest; the island overall is remote, reached by only a couple of flights a week. As a friendly, laid-back base for exploring Niue's dramatic coastal chasms, caves, clear waters and whale encounters, though, and a gentle introduction to the relaxed pace of the Rock of Polynesia, Alofi is a pleasant hub.

Nearby

The coastal sea tracks, chasms and the whale waters are around the island.