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Kiribati✨ 8 best things to do in Kiribati

Things to do in Kiribati

1. Watch traditional dancingSee graceful I-Kiribati dances, with outstretched arms imitating frigatebirds, performed in a village maneaba.
2. Explore WWII relics on TarawaWalk among coastal guns, bunkers and wrecks left from the 1943 Battle of Tarawa on Betio.
3. Go bonefishing on KiritimatiWade the shallow flats of Christmas Island, a legendary destination for fly fishing.
4. Birdwatch on KiritimatiSee vast seabird colonies, including frigatebirds, boobies and terns, on one of the world's largest coral atolls.
5. Visit a village on North TarawaCross by boat to quiet outer islets for a slower pace of island life and simple beach stays.
6. Snorkel the lagoonsFloat above coral heads and tropical fish in calm, clear lagoon waters.
7. Taste local foodTry fresh reef fish, breadfruit, babai (giant swamp taro) and toddy made from coconut sap.
8. Greet the new day firstWatch the sun rise on Kiritimati, among the first inhabited places on Earth to start each calendar day.

Kiribati🗺️ Where to visit in Kiribati

Where to go in Kiribati

• 📍
  South TarawaGilbert Islands · capital areaThe busy capital strip, home to government buildings, markets and the Kiribati National Cultural Centre and Museum.
• 📍
  BetioTarawa · WWII historyThe islet at the centre of the 1943 battle, still dotted with guns and bunkers.
• 📍
  North TarawaTarawa · traditional villagesPeaceful islets of thatched homes, maneabas and empty beaches reached by boat or causeway walks at low tide.
• 📍
  Kiritimati (Christmas Island)Line Islands · fishing & birdsOne of the world's largest coral atolls by land area, famous for bonefishing and seabird colonies.
• 📍
  AbemamaGilbert Islands · outer islandA tranquil atoll where Robert Louis Stevenson stayed in 1889, offering village life and lagoon views.
• 📍
  Phoenix Islands Protected AreaPhoenix Islands · marine reserveA huge, remote UNESCO-listed marine reserve with pristine reefs, reached only by expedition vessels.

Kiribati🌦️ Weather & best time to visit Kiribati

Best time to visit Kiribati

Kiribati is hot and humid all year, with daytime highs around 30–32 °C. Rainfall is unpredictable: the northern Gilbert Islands are generally wetter than the southern ones, and Kiritimati is relatively dry.

Typical daytime highs and rain in Tarawa (approximate averages).

Kiribati🎉 Festivals & events in Kiribati

• 12 July
  Independence DayThe biggest celebration of the year, with parades, sports competitions and dancing across the islands.
• March–April
  EasterA major religious holiday in this largely Christian nation, marked with church services, singing and family feasts.
• August
  Youth DayA national holiday celebrating young people with community events and activities.
• December–January
  Christmas and New YearCommunities celebrate with church services, feasting and dancing in maneabas.

Kiribati🧭 Kiribati itinerary ideas

How many days in Kiribati?

Kiribati🎒 Backpacking Kiribati – tips & hacks

Backpacker budget: about $70–100 a day

• Flights to and between island groups are infrequent – plan your trip around the schedule and allow buffer days.
• Minibuses run along the main road of South Tarawa and are the cheapest way to get around.
• Simple guesthouses and village homestays are the most affordable places to stay.
• Bring essentials such as medicines, sunscreen and repellent, as supplies can be limited.
• Ask before entering a maneaba and follow local protocols, such as sitting on the floor and not standing over seated elders.

Kiribati🛡️ Safety & money in Kiribati

Emergency:

Kiribati🛬 Getting to Kiribati

Bonriki International Airport (TRW) on Tarawa has flights via Fiji and other Pacific hubs. Cassidy International Airport on Kiritimati is served from Fiji and, at times, Hawaii.

✈️ Cheap flights to Kiribati: airports, flight times & best time to fly →

Kiribati💡 Did you know? 5 facts about Kiribati

• Kiribati is the only country with territory in all four hemispheres: north, south, east and west.
• Its name is the local pronunciation of 'Gilberts', and is said 'Kiri-bass'.
• Kiritimati is one of the largest coral atolls in the world by land area.
• The Phoenix Islands Protected Area is one of the largest marine reserves on Earth.
• Kiribati is among the first countries to celebrate each New Year.

Kiribati❓ Kiribati travel FAQ

Kiribati travel questions