Fresh water is very precious on a small island. Nauru catches rainwater and desalinates seawater for drinking, so Buada Lagoon is a rare natural treasure. Families grow vegetables and fruit around its edges, taking advantage of the moist, fertile soil.
The lagoon is fed by rainwater filtering down through the coral rock of the island. It is brackish - a mix of fresh and slightly salty water - which makes it a special habitat where certain fish and water plants thrive. Milkfish are farmed here, swimming lazily in the calm water.
The area around the lagoon is one of the greenest and shadiest places on Nauru. Trees hang over the water, birds call from the branches, and the air is cool and still compared to the breezy coast. For Nauruan families, it is a peaceful place to sit, talk, and share food together.