- Local time
- 00:37 (capital)
- Currency
- Australian Dollar (AUD)
- Capital
- South Tarawa
- Calling code
- +686
- Drive on the
- left
Overview
Kiribati is 33 remote atolls astride the equator: lagoons and palm-lined beaches, Second World War relics on Tarawa, village life in the outer Gilberts and world-class bonefishing on Kiritimati, the first place to see each new day.
Kiribati (pronounced Kiribahs) is made up of 33 atolls spread over 3.5 million km² of ocean around the equator, in three groups: the Gilbert, Phoenix and Line Islands, plus the lone island of Banaba. Half the population lives on South Tarawa, the capital. Because the International Date Line was moved east of the whole country, the Line Islands are the first place on Earth to start each new day.
This is a demanding destination with few tourist facilities, but the people are famously friendly. Visitors come for the lagoons and white beaches, the Second World War sites of Tarawa, traditional life on the outer islands of the Gilbert group, and the fishing lodges of Kiritimati (Christmas Island), where most tourists, especially from the US, go.
- Kiritimati: A renowned bonefishing destination with lodges and guides.
- Tarawa battle sites: Coastal guns, bunkers and wrecks from the 1943 Battle of Tarawa, especially at Betio.
- North Tarawa: The easiest place to experience village life, with traditional guesthouses.
- Outer Gilbert Islands: Remote atolls with council guesthouses and strong traditional culture.
- Phoenix Islands Protected Area: A vast marine reserve of lagoons, birds and coral, very hard to visit.
Places to visit
- City
- Island
- Park
- Area
Cities
- South Tarawa: The capital, home to half the population, the airport, hotels and banks.
- Betio: The western end of South Tarawa, with the harbour and the main Second World War sites.
Beyond the cities
- North Tarawa (area): Islets with villages, guesthouses and traditional accommodation, a short trip from the airport.
- Kiritimati (island): Christmas Island in the Line Islands, the main tourist destination, known for bonefishing.
- Butaritari (island): An outer island with wartime wrecks visible at low tide.
- Abemama (island): An atoll of the Gilbert group with Second World War remains.
- Banaba (island): Ocean Island, a lone 6 km² island outside the three groups.
- Phoenix Islands Protected Area (park): A huge marine protected area where visitor numbers are deliberately limited.
Regions
- Gilbert Islands: The western group, with Tarawa and most of the population.
- Phoenix Islands: Sparsely inhabited, largely a marine reserve.
- Line Islands: The eastern group, with Kiritimati, in the world's most advanced time zone.
Things to do
See
- Second World War tour Betio: Guns, bunkers, pillboxes, tanks and wrecks; a guided tour tells the full story.
Do
- Wreck diving South Tarawa: Gun emplacements and ship wrecks make shipwreck diving a common activity.
- Bonefishing Kiritimati: Week-long packages at lodges with fishing guides.
- Stay in a village North Tarawa: Traditional kia kia huts and family guesthouses.
- Explore an atoll by bike: Many atolls are easy to explore by bicycle or on foot; councils and locals rent trucks and scooters.
Eat
- Try local sashimi South Tarawa: Fish straight from the ocean, the base of the local diet with rice.
Shop
- Buy a tibuta South Tarawa: Colourful women's tops and other handicrafts made by women's groups.
Holidays and events
- 1 January 2026 · New Year's Day
- 8 March 2026 · International Women's Day
- 3 April 2026 · Good Friday
- 6 April 2026 · Easter Monday
- 7 April 2026 · Health Day
- 1 May 2026 · Labour Day
- 20 June 2026 · Police Day
- 10 July 2026 · Gospel Day
- 11 July 2026 · National Culture and Senior Citizens Day
- 12 July 2026 · National Day
- 13 July 2026 · Special Day
- 7 August 2026 · National Youth Day
- 5 October 2026 · World Teachers' Day
- 10 December 2026 · Human Rights and Peace Day
- 25 December 2026 · Christmas Day
- 26 December 2026 · St. Stephen's Day
Getting around
| International driving permit | Recommended |
|---|
Air Kiribati and Coral Sun Airways fly from Tarawa's Bonriki airport to the outer islands of the Gilbert group; reconfirm your return flight when you arrive. Ferries serve many smaller islands but are often late and overcrowded: do not board a vessel that looks overloaded, and know where the life jackets are. Ask at Betio harbour about ships within the Gilberts. There are no taxis; private minibuses, hailed on the road, run on Tarawa, the main Gilbert islands and Kiritimati, but are often crowded and driven recklessly. Traffic drives on the left; roads are poor, lighting is limited and drink-driving is common, so take great care at night. Canada says you can drive with an IDP or your own licence for two weeks; the UK says a UK photocard licence is accepted. Car rentals are available in Tarawa.
Where to stay
- Hotels on South Tarawa: Marys Motel and the Otintaai Hotel, with restaurants and air-conditioning, plus smaller properties; book ahead.
- Traditional guesthouses in North Tarawa: Kia kia huts and family stays, such as at Abatao, 10–15 minutes from the airport.
- Council guesthouses: On every outer island of the Gilbert group, about A$30 a night with three meals; electricity usually only in the evening.
- Fishing lodges on Kiritimati: Usually 7-night packages with meals and a fishing guide.
On the outer islands, bring extra food and fresh drinking water, and adjust your expectations to life in isolated communities.
Eat and drink
Dishes to try
- Fish and rice: The everyday staple, served in many eateries on Tarawa.
- Sashimi: Raw fish fresh from the ocean.
Drinks
- Toddy: Sweet coconut-tree sap, also fermented into sour toddy or boiled into kamaimai syrup.
- Kava: Served in many kava bars across Tarawa.
Food choice is limited, and fruit and vegetables are scarce; imported goods sell out fast after a ship arrives. Western meals are best at the two main hotels, and there are Chinese restaurants. Beer is easy to find, wine and spirits less so, and some outer islands sell no alcohol.
Entry requirements and visas
| Passport validity | At least 6 months after arrival (UK) or after departure (Canada), with 2 blank pages |
|---|
| Passport | Entry | Max stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Visa free | 30 days | One month on arrival; extensions of a month at a time, up to 3 extra months, from the immigration office in Bairiki. |
| Canada | Visa free | 30 days | Business and student visits need a visa. |
Other nationalities: check the official source below.
You must show a return or onward ticket and enough money for your stay. A departure tax of A$20 is paid at the airport. Kiribati has strict quarantine rules on food, plants and animal products, and bans weapons, knives and pornography; antiques over 30 years old, traditional fighting swords, tools and dancing ornaments may not be exported. Handicrafts made of straw or shells may be confiscated on arrival in Australia or New Zealand. Rules depend on your passport and can change: check with Kiribati's immigration service or a consulate before you book.
Money and payments
| Currency | Australian Dollar (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Cards | Rare |
Kiribati uses the Australian dollar, alongside its own coins at the same value. Very few places take cards, apart from the main hotels. There are ATMs in Betio, Bairiki and Bikenibeu on Tarawa and on Kiritimati; the outer islands have no banks and run on cash only.
Health
| Recommended vaccines | Routine vaccines, including measles (MMR), COVID-19, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies, only for some travellers: ask a travel clinic |
|---|---|
| Malaria | None |
| Tap water | Not safe |
Drink only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice. Do not eat shellfish or lagoon fish on Tarawa, and be careful with locally caught fish, which can cause ciguatera poisoning. The CDC lists dengue and Zika, both spread by mosquitoes: use repellent, and bring it with sunscreen, as they are hard to find. Treat every small cut promptly, as infections are common. The hospital on Tarawa is modest, outer islands have nurse-run clinics, medicines are generally unavailable and serious cases need evacuation, so take insurance that covers it. Ambulance: 994.
This is general information, not medical advice: check with a travel health professional before you go.
Safety
- United States: Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (2026-10-20)
- Canada: Take normal security precautions (2026-10-20)
- United Kingdom: No advice against travel (2026-10-20)
Kiribati is generally safe, though petty theft occurs, and it can be risky to be out after dark in Betio or on the beaches of South Tarawa, especially for women alone; most trouble involves drunk men. Do not swim in the South Tarawa lagoon, which is heavily polluted, and take great care in the sea: rip tides are strong beyond the reef and squalls come suddenly. Unexploded wartime ordnance may lie on beaches at Betio and South Tarawa. Stray dogs have bitten visitors: do not run if one approaches. The wet season, roughly November to April, brings strong winds, swells and coastal flooding; droughts can bring water restrictions.
Customs and etiquette
Respect local customs on dress, including swimwear: public nudity and revealing swimsuits are banned. Ask the landowner before swimming, and follow the rules around stone figures of religious importance. Always carry ID; police usually accept a printed copy of your passport. Drug penalties are heavy. Same-sex sexual acts are illegal, with prison terms of up to 14 years.
Language
| Official languages | English, Gilbertese |
|---|---|
| English | Common |
What to pack
- Insect repellent and sunscreen: Not available locally.
- All the medicines you need: Medicines are generally not available.
- Australian dollars in cash: Cards are rarely accepted, and the outer islands have no banks.
- Water filter or purifier: Tap water must be boiled or filtered.
- Medical evacuation insurance: Serious cases must be flown out, and many outer islands have no airstrip.
Quick reference
Country facts
| Capital | South Tarawa |
|---|---|
| Population | 136,488 (2025) |
| Area | 811 km² |
| Time zone | Pacific/Tarawa (UTC+12), Pacific/Kanton (UTC+13), Pacific/Kiritimati (UTC+14) |
| Calling code | +686 |
| Driving side | left |
Staying connected
| SIM and eSIM | Vodafone covers most inhabited islands with 3G, and 4G in places; a physical SIM from its office in Bairiki is cheaper than the few tourist eSIMs. |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | Internet is limited, expensive and unreliable, and some outer islands have no service. |
Emergency numbers
| Police | 992 |
|---|---|
| Ambulance | 994 |
| Fire | 993 |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Kiribati?
UK and Canadian tourists can stay up to 30 days without a visa, with a return or onward ticket and enough funds. Check the official rules before you book.
How do I get to Kiribati?
Usually via Fiji: Fiji Airways flies from Nadi to Tarawa and to Kiritimati. Nauru Airlines and Air Marshall Islands also fly to Tarawa.
Can I fly from Tarawa to Kiritimati?
Not directly: you have to go through Fiji.
Can I drink the tap water?
No. Drink boiled or bottled water and avoid ice.
Is there malaria?
No, but dengue and Zika are spread by mosquitoes, so use repellent.
When is the wet season?
Roughly from November or December to March or April, with strong winds and swells.
Sources This guide was last checked on · 15 sources
- Wikivoyage: Kiribati · Overview, Places to visit, Things to do, Getting around, Where to stay, Eat and drink, Entry requirements and visas, Money and payments, Health, Safety, Customs and etiquette, Language, What to pack, Staying connected, Frequently asked questions
- UK FCDO: Kiribati safety and security · Things to do, Getting around, Money and payments, Safety, Customs and etiquette, Staying connected
- Nager.Date: public holidays in Kiribati, 2026 · Holidays and events
- Government of Canada: Kiribati travel advice (updated 15 October 2026) · Getting around, Entry requirements and visas, Money and payments, Safety, Customs and etiquette, Staying connected, Frequently asked questions
- UK FCDO: Kiribati entry requirements · Getting around, Entry requirements and visas, Frequently asked questions
- Wikidata · Money and payments, Country facts
- ISO 4217 (SIX), published 2026-09-17 · Money and payments
- CDC Travelers' Health: Kiribati · Health, Frequently asked questions
- UK FCDO: Kiribati health · Health, What to pack
- US Department of State: Kiribati travel advisory · Safety
- UK FCDO: Kiribati travel advice · Safety
- World Bank, SP.POP.TOTL · Country facts
- World Bank, AG.LND.TOTL.K2 · Country facts
- IANA Time Zone Database, zone.tab · Country facts
- UK FCDO: Kiribati getting help · Emergency numbers
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