←Kiribati travel guide
Line Islands, Kiribati
Kiritimati
The world's largest coral atoll, famed for bonefish and seabirds
AdventureNature & OutdoorsWildlife
Kiritimati, also known as Christmas Island, makes up more than 70 per cent of Kiribati's total land area and holds one of the Pacific's most storied sport-fishing lagoons. Its five villages, bearing such unlikely names as London, Poland, and Banana, are linked by a single main road that skirts a wildlife sanctuary hosting 18 species of breeding seabird.
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Best time to visit
May to October
Region
Line Islands
Main airport
Kiritimati CXI (CXI)
Discover
Top Things to Do in Kiritimati
Nature
Kiritimati Bonefish Flats
Kiritimati's expansive lagoon is regarded as one of the world's premier destinations for saltwater fly-fishing, with bonefish and giant trevally patrolling extensive coral flats in clear emerald-green water. Anglers wade shallow lagoon edges or fish from skiffs, targeting species that reach remarkable size in the atoll's undisturbed environment. Offshore waters also hold tuna, wahoo, and marlin for those seeking deeper-water action.
Nature
Kiritimati Seabird Sanctuary
The entire island of Kiritimati functions as a wildlife sanctuary, with five restricted zones protecting breeding colonies of 18 seabird species including red-tailed tropicbirds, great frigatebirds, masked boobies, and several species of tern. Before the El Nino event of 1982 to 1983 the island held the world's largest sooty tern colony, with an estimated seven million birds, and the island remains exceptional for birdwatching. Access to the most sensitive zones requires a permit, and guides are available to accompany visitors.
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Plan Your Trip
Getting Around Kiritimati
Tours, stays, transfers, and flights — curated partner options are on the way.
Tours & Activities
Skip-the-line tickets, guided tours, and day experiences — curated partner options are on the way.
Coming soonWhere to Stay
Hotels, apartments, and guesthouses across every neighbourhood — booking options are on the way.
Coming soonAirport Transfers
Private and shared rides between the airport and the city centre — partner options are on the way.
Coming soonFlights
Compare fares from hundreds of airlines to find the best route in — search options are on the way.
Coming soonTravel Guide
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Kiribati
Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Kiribati page at Yoogo.
Kiribati uses the Australian dollar alongside its own coinage, which is pegged to the Australian dollar at a one-to-one rate. Banking facilities are very limited outside South Tarawa, so carrying sufficient cash in Australian dollars is strongly advisable before departing for outer islands.
Kiribati is generally considered low-risk for crime, and visitors to South Tarawa and Kiritimati typically report a welcoming environment. Travellers should be mindful that medical facilities are basic and emergency evacuation from outer atolls can be slow, so comprehensive travel insurance including medical evacuation cover is important.
On South Tarawa a main road links all the causeway-connected islets, served by minibuses and taxis; motorcycle hire is also available. Travel between Kiribati's atolls requires inter-island ferries or light aircraft, with Fiji Airways providing connections to Kiritimati; schedules on outer routes can be infrequent and subject to change.
The dry season from April to October brings lower humidity, calmer seas, and reduced rainfall, making it the most comfortable period for travel and water activities. The wetter season from November to March can bring heavy rain and the occasional tropical cyclone, though Kiribati is less prone to cyclones than some of its Pacific neighbours.
Gilbertese (also called I-Kiribati or Kiribatese) is the primary language spoken by virtually all residents. English is an official language and is understood in government offices and larger hotels in South Tarawa, but is rarely used outside the capital.
Recommended vaccinations typically include hepatitis A and B, typhoid, polio, and routine immunisations; consulting a travel health clinic well before departure is advisable. Mosquito-borne illnesses including dengue fever are present, so insect repellent and protective clothing are recommended, and medical facilities beyond South Tarawa's Tungaru Central Hospital are very limited.
Tipping is not a customary practice in Kiribati, and there is no expectation to leave gratuities in restaurants or for general services. If you are invited to a formal feast in a maneaba, it is considered appropriate to offer a modest gift or token contribution to the host as a gesture of appreciation.
Vodafone Kiribati is the sole mobile network operator, offering 4G LTE coverage on South Tarawa and parts of Kiritimati, with more limited connectivity across outer atolls. Dedicated Kiribati eSIM plans from providers such as Airalo are scarce, so purchasing a local Vodafone Kiribati SIM on arrival in South Tarawa or Kiritimati is generally the most practical option; a passport is required for registration.