Tuvalu - update

The fee for the boat trip to the conservation area is 200 AUD nowadays for the boat. 30 more if you go on a Saturday. No trip on Sundays.
Anyone with copies from The South Pacific LP, when Tuvalu was still covered by them: The town council in Funafuti still has the cabin on Funafala ( 2 islands south from Funafuti) available for tourists. It is 20 $ per person per night. The boat trip is 150 $ drop and pick up, so when you stay there overnight or a few days it is still 150. Again 30 more if drop-off or pick -up is on a Saturday. Again no boat trips on Sundays.There are a few people living on Funafala and they can prepare you dinner or a basic breakfast. Do not expect Soy-milk Cafe Latte, there and anywhere in Tuvalu.

The accomodation options are all seriously overpriced for what you get. The Filamona Guesthouse charges 77 and 82 AUD nowadays with breakfast. Better to get a receipt for all payments there, she tried to charge me an extra night. The hotel is 126 AUD for the upstairs rooms.
The Vaiaku Guesthouse is open for negotiations about their rates, do not expect a bargain though. Thailand freaks beware: it is not Koh Tuvalu.

The second island to the north from Funafuti is privatley owned and the only house there is sometimes available as a guesthouse. You need to speak to the owners in Funafuti about availability and rates. They are easy to find. Just ask around: Tuvalu is very small and they all know each other.

Football and Formula 1 addicts beware: The Satellite for Sky Pacific has been moved and they need a 2,4m dish on Tuvalu now to get the signal. Right now the entire country has no TV, apart from the Australian Navy expats in their house. Make friends with them if you want to watch a game or race. At the hotel they said they are about to get a new dish.

Fiji Airways flies to Tuvalu from Suva, Fiji on Tuesdays and Thursdays with an ATR-42 (44 seats). These are the only flights. And they do not fill up the plane completely due to weight issues. There are always a few empty seats in the front. Flights need to be booked well in advance. Little chance to change your dates at short notice.

For your average LP Pacific traveler who enjoys visiting islands for culture and beaches, is Tuvalu worth visiting at all, or is it best left to those trying to visit every country in the world?

There is nothing wrong with going to Tuvalu.
However other places in the Pacific have more to offer. Compared to Tonga or Vanuatu, especially if you go away from the main islands and any Cruise Ship daytrippers there..........then Tuvalu should not be the first option really.

It is best left to those trying to visit every country. Virtually nothing of interest on the island. Only two flights per week (Tuesdays/Thursdays). I planned two days there but got stuck there for five days because Fiji Airways cancelled the Thursday flight out and didn't send a plane until Sunday.

Filamona has good food. I thought the lady was nice, she didn't try to overcharge me (aside from the 80-82 Euro per night for the relatively crappy rooms)