David's Drill
The Funafuti borehole where Darwin's theory of atoll formation was tested.
Updated 3 September 2026
Darwin had argued that coral atolls form as a reef grows upward while the island beneath it sinks, and to test it the Royal Society sent three expeditions to Funafuti between 1896 and 1898 to drill through the atoll. Edgeworth David led the second. The bore reached over three hundred metres and found coral all the way down, which is what the theory predicted. The site is marked on Fongafale.
What's there
- The bore site - the marked ground where the drilling was done.
- The 1896 to 1898 span - three expeditions across three years.
- The result - coral found through more than three hundred metres of rock.
- The Darwin question - the theory the drilling was sent to test.
When to go
May to October is drier. The site is accessible year round. Mornings are cooler for the walk.
Good to know
There is a marker and very little else; do not expect a museum or interpretation. It takes ten minutes. The significance is entirely in what happened here rather than what is visible.
Nearby
Vaiaku is south, and the runway is alongside.
What to pack for David's Drill
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- Shelter suited to the place - Tent, tarp or hut booking - match it to the terrain and rules. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A warm sleeping bag + mat - Rated a little colder than you expect the nights to be. Find on Amazon
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
