There is no conventional sightseeing itinerary in Tuvalu. The country has no museums, no monuments open to the public, and no guided tour infrastructure. What it has is a lagoon, a history, and a way of life worth paying attention to.
Funafuti Marine Conservation Area covers about 33 square kilometres of the lagoon, including the reef, the open water, and a cluster of uninhabited islets. The snorkelling and diving are excellent — clear, warm water, healthy coral, sea turtles, and large schools of fish. You can arrange a boat trip through your guesthouse; rates are negotiable and you may well end up with just you and a local guide. The islets themselves are worth the trip even if you do not go in the water.
Second World War remains are scattered across the group. Funafuti and the northern atolls were used as Allied staging points during the Pacific campaign. On Funafuti, you can find old aircraft parts and wartime debris along the beaches of Fongafale, and there is a preserved underground bunker on the islet of Tepuka. Nanumea has the most significant WWII remains, including the rusted remains of military aircraft on its northeastern side — a reminder that these tiny, remote atolls were once strategically vital.
The maneapa (community meeting house) is the centre of social and political life on every island. Village decisions are made here, ceremonies are held, and elders gather. If you are invited to witness or participate in a community event, accept. This is where Tuvaluan culture is most alive.
Tuvalu's stamps have been sought by collectors since independence in 1978. The post office in Funafuti stocks a good selection and they make a compact, weightless souvenir. Tuvalu has also historically earned significant revenue by licensing its country code top-level domain, .tv — you may notice it on television channels and streaming services worldwide.
The Women's Handicraft Centre in Funafuti sells locally made fans, mats, and woven goods. Quality varies but it is one of the few places to buy something genuinely made in Tuvalu.