What the governments of the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada tell their own citizens about travelling to Tokelau, in their own words, plus practical help with packing.
Travel advice levels
Each government rates the risks for its own citizens, on its own scale. The levels are shown exactly as published; they are not equivalent to each other and are not combined here.
UK
United KingdomForeign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advice for Cook Islands, Tokelau and Niue
Does not advise against travel
No numbered levels
Updated 10 December 2025
Latest change, in the source's words:New information about dual nationals returning to the UK (‘Entry requirements’ page).
The official source shows no update to this advice in over 12 months. Check the official page for the current version.
Trip Rulebook could not refresh this source since 30 September 2026. The official website may have newer advice.
Emergency numbers
From the section “Emergency services in the Cook Islands, Tokelau and Niue” of the UK government's travel advice for Cook Islands, Tokelau and Niue, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Telephone: 999 (ambulance, fire, police)
There are no hospitals or ambulance services in Tokelau.
Local laws and customs
From the section “Laws and cultural differences” of the UK government's travel advice for Cook Islands, Tokelau and Niue, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Illegal drugs and prison sentences
There are severe penalties for possessing or importing even small amounts of drugs, including deportation and imprisonment.
LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex sexual activity is not illegal. However, showing affection in public may be considered offensive.
In the Cook Islands, the only ATMs are on the islands of Rarotonga and Aitutaki. Credit and some debit cards are widely accepted on Rarotonga and some places on Aitutaki. You must use cash on the other islands.
There are no banks in Tokelau, so you’ll need to bring cash with you.
In Niue, most businesses accept New Zealand debit cards, Mastercard and Visa. Some businesses offer cashback. There are no ATMs in Niue, but you can withdraw cash from Kiwibank in Alofi. Kiwibank accepts only New Zealand debit cards, Mastercard and Visa.
Travelling with medicines
From the section “Medication” of the UK government's travel advice for Cook Islands, Tokelau and Niue, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
From the section “Extreme weather and natural disasters” of the UK government's travel advice for Cook Islands, Tokelau and Niue, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
The South Pacific cyclone season runs from 1 November to 30 April. There are severe storms across the region, although the risk varies between countries and from season to season. On average, there are around 9 tropical cyclones each season, with some likely to be classified ‘severe’ (category 3 or higher).
Practical suggestions from Trip Rulebook, based on open data and fixed rules. They are not safety or legal advice: rules on clothing, medicines and restricted items are covered only by the official text on this page.
Chargers and plugs
We have no plug or voltage data for Tokelau yet.
Clothes for the weather
Rainfall Average temperature
January
Average
29 °C (83 °F)
Lows
26 °C (79 °F)
Highs
31 °C (88 °F)
Rain
338 mm (13.3 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very wet month on average: waterproof jacket, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag.
February
Average
29 °C (84 °F)
Lows
26 °C (78 °F)
Highs
32 °C (89 °F)
Rain
280 mm (11.0 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very wet month on average: waterproof jacket, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag.
March
Average
29 °C (84 °F)
Lows
26 °C (79 °F)
Highs
32 °C (89 °F)
Rain
256 mm (10.1 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very wet month on average: waterproof jacket, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag.
April
Average
29 °C (84 °F)
Lows
26 °C (79 °F)
Highs
32 °C (89 °F)
Rain
178 mm (7.0 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
May
Average
29 °C (84 °F)
Lows
26 °C (79 °F)
Highs
32 °C (89 °F)
Rain
178 mm (7.0 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
June
Average
29 °C (83 °F)
Lows
26 °C (78 °F)
Highs
31 °C (88 °F)
Rain
202 mm (8.0 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very wet month on average: waterproof jacket, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag.
July
Average
29 °C (83 °F)
Lows
26 °C (78 °F)
Highs
31 °C (88 °F)
Rain
186 mm (7.3 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
August
Average
29 °C (83 °F)
Lows
26 °C (78 °F)
Highs
31 °C (88 °F)
Rain
184 mm (7.2 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
September
Average
29 °C (84 °F)
Lows
26 °C (79 °F)
Highs
32 °C (89 °F)
Rain
166 mm (6.5 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
October
Average
29 °C (84 °F)
Lows
26 °C (78 °F)
Highs
32 °C (89 °F)
Rain
201 mm (7.9 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very wet month on average: waterproof jacket, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag.
November
Average
29 °C (84 °F)
Lows
26 °C (79 °F)
Highs
32 °C (89 °F)
Rain
246 mm (9.7 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very wet month on average: waterproof jacket, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag.
December
Average
29 °C (84 °F)
Lows
26 °C (78 °F)
Highs
32 °C (89 °F)
Rain
344 mm (13.5 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very wet month on average: waterproof jacket, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag.
National averages for 1991-2020. Coasts, mountains and regions can be very different, and any given year can be warmer, colder or wetter. Suggestions come from fixed rules based on these averages. Climate data: World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal, observed climate data (CRU TS), CRU TS (cru_ts4.09), Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia, CC BY 4.0 (licence).
Visa and entry rules depend on your nationality and change often, so Trip Rulebook does not summarise them. Each government explains the rules for its own citizens. If you travel on another passport, check with the embassy or the official immigration website of Tokelau.
This page is guidance, not legal advice. Laws and advice change without notice and are written for each government's own citizens, so they may apply to you differently. Confirm everything with the official source before you travel. Terms of use.