the best places to visit in kiribati
Kiribati is a remote island nation located in the Pacific Ocean, located practically halfway between Australia and Mainland USA. The country is spread across 33 reef islands and coral atolls. Kiribati receives an average of just 7,000 tourists per year. Those who do venture out to these remote islands visit for the marine biodiversity and dazzling reefs and lagoons. Unfortunately, due to climate change, Kiribati is expected to be the first country swallowed up by rising sea levels.
Best time to visit:
May-October
1) kiritimati
Kiritimati is an island in the Republic of Kiribati home to numerous exotic bird species and offshore fishing activities. It’s a beautiful place on earth for uninhabited beaches, and it is the largest atoll on the planet by land area. ~7,000 people live here, and some people know it for its funny village names; London, Banana, Poland, and Paris to name a few. The island was actually used for British nuclear testing in the 50s and 60s.
Things to do:
Birdwatching Paradise is here on this atoll. Kiritimati is home to over 30 species of beautiful seabirds for us to see. Other than that, you just have to swim and snorkel round the atoll in the enchanting coral reefs.
How to get there:
Cassidy International Airport (CXI) is the islands airport. International flights run from Honolulu, and Domestic flights run from 20 atolls in Kiribati via Air Kiribati.
2) tarawa
Tarawa is the main atoll of the Republic of Kiribati, as it is home to Kiribati’s capital; South Tarawa. The atoll has a population of ~70,000 people. It is only a few meters above sea level, surrounded by lagoon waters. Surprisingly, Tarawa has some pretty dark history. In 1943, The Battle of Tarawa took place here and was one of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific War. Community is strong on the island, and traditional practices are long standing.
Things to do:
See World War 2 sights, like Japanese Bunkers, and stroll around the atoll taking in local life. Use your time to see how it really is to live in the middle of the ocean on a sinking strip of sand. Alternatively, you can just have a swim.
How to get there:
Bonriki Tarawa Airport (TRW) has direct international flights coming in from Fiji. Domestic flights run from 20 atolls in Kiribati via Air Kiribati.