At the time of writing this in January 2024, my application to enter Tokelau had only just begun. The journey itself would require patience, coordination, and the support of people across the Pacific.
In the heart of the Pacific lie three remote atolls and a culture I have long hoped to experience. This post is a reflection on preparing for one of the most anticipated stops of my Pacific voyage: Tokelau.
Preparing for a Journey to Tokelau
The Three Atolls of Tokelau
The three main atolls consist of Atafu, Nukunonu, and Fakaofo from northwest to southeast. Adding the fourth atoll Olohega (now Swains part of American Samoa) but that is a whole story in itself.
Why Tokelau Is One of the Most Remote Places in the Pacific
Tokelau remains as one of the most isolated island territories in the world, as it not only requires days on the open seas by boat to get to, the administrative barriers add layers of step before getting any form of approval to visit as a visitor. Most that do go besides Tokelauan nationals are government or contract workers.
Patience, Timing, and the Reality of Visiting Tokelau
The years leading up to setting forth on real plans to visit Tokelau have grounded me in many ways, including grounding myself with the indigenous people of Hawaiʻi. And that has cultivated all that would prove vital and valuable to what was needed for this very voyage. Patience.
How Travel to Tokelau Works
A visitors permit is required to visit Tokelau, requiring approval from the Taupulega and Immigration at the Liaison Office in Apia, Samoa.
To understand how Tokelau operates would take one to visit. Why I say that? Because it’s very difficult to understand the timing and processing of anything within the Tokelau islands from the outside. Even me, someone who has been in the Pacific for nearly a decade can’t wrap my head around the processing logistics. But it’s two processes.
Process Number One: Immigration in Apia
Process Number Two: Taupulega Approval
The timing of each depends on how long it takes for the strings to be pulled on either side. That’s if the strings are picked up.
Tokelau, is and will probably be the biggest test to those qualities as it will entail more work and dedication to fulfill what is needed to embark on that journey. But then again, those qualities I’ve mentioned have guided me into people across the islands who’ve been looking after me like family. And my gratitude just simply cannot be expressed in words.
I Made it to Tokelau!
October 2025: I couldn’t help myself, voyagers. I wanted to keep this post as original as possible without changing the innocence of when I first wrote it.
20 months later, I made it to Tokelau and the journey itself will require an entirely new blog series of its own 🙂
Stay tuned
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