Most visitors to Kiribati skip the capital and head straight to the archipelago’s sandy shores. It’s easy to see why: bustling South Tarawa is not the prettiest town and its tourist infrastructure is somewhat limited. But if you want to get a true slice of local life – explore local markets and meet the locals – this is the place to be.
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Kiribati things to see and do
Embrace the bustle of South Tarawa
Explore Kiribati’s underwater treasures
Kiribati has the distinction of being the world’s largest coral atoll, and is a dream destination for divers. The archipelago’s beautiful white sandy beaches and crystal-clear lagoons give way to wonderful coral gardens, much of which fall into the Phoenix Island Protected Area, one of the world’s largest marine reserves.
Get a bird’s-eye view of Kiribati
A fine way to get the whole picture of Kiribati is to take a “flight-seeing” trip on one of the many light aircraft that serve the region. Tours take in the islands of Abaiang, Abemama, Maiana and Tarawa, and other islands can be visited on request.
Go birdwatching
Birdwatching is popular, especially on Christmas Island where millions of birds swarm everywhere. The archipelago is a major breeding ground and sanctuary for birds in the Pacific and even has its own endemic species: the Christmas Island Warbler. The best time for birdwatching is between June and December.
Imbibe local culture
Every village in Kiribati has a maneaba, or community centre. Made of coconut wood and pandanus leaves, maneabas are the administrative headquarters of the islands villages, but they are also a place where visitors can enjoy traditional dancing, singing and storytelling.
Learn about Kiribati’s wartime history
Some of the bloodiest fighting between US and Japanese forces took place in Kiribati and the surrounding islands during WWII. A number of war relics can be seen on Tarawa and Butaritari Island, including defence guns, rusting tanks and concrete bunkers. Tours of battlegrounds can also be arranged.
Make a seasonal trip to Christmas Island
Actually, you don’t have to wait till the festive season to visit this stunning atoll. Occupying almost half the landmass of Kiribati, Christmas Island is covered in lakes and ponds and boasts some of the largest bird colonies in the archipelago. The atoll is also a gateway to Kiribati’s world-renowned coral reefs.
Try your hand at game fishing
Game fishing is particularly popular on the island and in particular Christmas Island. It’s of a world-class standard and has been the site of many international game fishing world records. Another big lure to Kiribati is the prevalence of the magnificent bonefish.
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