Fakaofo Atoll

Fakaofo, the southernmost of Tokelau's three atolls, is traditionally regarded as the historic and cultural heart of this tiny, remote Pacific territory, one of the least-visited places on earth. Like its sister atolls, it is a ring of low coral islets, barely rising above the sea, encircling a large, shimmering turquoise lagoon of extraordinary clarity. Its people live in a close-knit village on a small islet, following a traditional Polynesian way of life centred on the community, the extended family and the council of elders, fishing the reef and lagoon and tending coconut and pulaka gardens. With no airport and reached only by a long sea voyage, Fakaofo offers a rare and profound glimpse of authentic, unspoiled atoll life and deep Tokelauan heritage.

What you actually see

• The turquoise lagoon - the vast clear lagoon within the reef.
• The coral islets - the low ring of tiny coral islands.
• The traditional village - the close-knit community and elders.
• The Polynesian heritage - the deep Tokelauan cultural roots.

When to go

May to October, the drier and cooler season, brings the most settled weather and calmest seas for the long voyage and for exploring, avoiding the wetter, stormier months; the equatorial climate is warm year-round. Sea conditions are a key factor for reaching and moving around the atoll.

Honest expectations

Tokelau has no airport and is reached only by an infrequent, long boat voyage from Samoa, with minimal facilities and a traditional community, so visiting is a genuine undertaking requiring permission, planning and respect for local customs. As the historic heart of one of the least-visited territories on earth, a pristine atoll of turquoise lagoon and deep Polynesian heritage, though, Fakaofo offers a rare and profound experience.

Nearby

The atolls of Nukunonu and Atafu lie to the north.