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Micronesia

KiribatiTravel guide

Explore Kiribati visa rules

Kiribati, pronounced “Kiribahs”, is a remote island country in Micronesia at the equator. Its 33 atolls are spread across a vast area of sea. Visitors find blue lagoons, traditional island life and friendly people, but few places to stay and difficult journeys between islands.

Why go

  1. Blue lagoons, white sandy beaches and palm trees.

  2. Traditional culture and welcoming communities, especially on the outer islands.

  3. Second World War remains on Tarawa, Butaritari, Abemama and Banaba.

  4. Coral life, birds and island scenery in the Phoenix Islands, where access is difficult and visitor numbers are limited.

Getting there

By air

  • Fiji Airways flies to Tarawa and Kiritimati, also called Christmas Island. Tarawa has two direct flights a week from Nadi in Fiji, taking about three hours.
  • Kiritimati is a stop on a weekly flight in each direction between Nadi and Honolulu.
  • If you use another airline to reach Fiji, make sure it lands in Nadi rather than Suva. Arriving in Suva means travelling to the other side of the island for the connection.

Getting around

  • Domestic flights

    Air Kiribati regularly serves all the outer islands in the Gilbert group. Coral Sun Airways offers another flight option and can be hired for private flights. Reconfirm your return flight when you arrive at your destination. Airlines have different booking and confirmation rules, so check the rules for your flight.

  • Ships

    Ships serving the Gilbert Islands can get very full.

  • Walking and cycling

    Many atolls are pleasant to explore on foot or by bicycle. Take care on roads, where pigs, children, dogs and buses share the space.

What to see and do

  • Beaches and lagoons

    The islands have blue lagoons, white sandy beaches and palm trees. Ask about water safety before entering the water.

  • Second World War remains

    Tarawa, especially Betio, plus Butaritari, Abemama and Banaba have guns, bunkers and small defensive shelters. Wrecks and military vehicles are visible along Tarawa and Butaritari, especially at low tide.

  • Phoenix Islands Marine Protected Area

    This protected area has coral islands, sandy beaches, blue lagoons and abundant bird life. Access is difficult, visitor numbers are limited, and diving may not be possible.

  • Outer-island communities

    Traditional culture remains strong on the outer islands. Residents may welcome visitors into celebrations taking place during their stay.

  • Explore an atoll

    Many atolls are lovely to explore by bicycle or on foot.

  • Go boating or yachting

    Kiribati's islands and lagoons offer beautiful surroundings for time on the water.

Food and drink

  • Fish and rice

    These are local staple foods and appear at many places to eat on Tarawa. Locally caught fish can cause ciguatera poisoning, which cooking or freezing does not prevent.

  • Local sashimi

    Fresh raw fish is a local food highlighted in the source. The warning about ciguatera poisoning also applies.

  • Western-style meals

    Marys and the Otintaai hotels are the main places listed for Western-style meals.

  • Chinese restaurants

    There is also a choice of Chinese restaurants.

  • Food shopping

    Food choices are limited, especially fruit and vegetables. Buy imported foods when a shipment arrives, as supplies may sell out quickly.

  • Toddy

    Sweet toddy is made from coconut-tree sap. Fermenting it for a couple of days produces alcoholic sour toddy.

Money

Australian dollar (AUD). Kiribati also issues its own coins, worth the same as Australian coins.

  • Australian banknotes are used, and prices use the $ symbol.
  • Kiribati coins come in 5¢, 10¢, 20¢, 50¢, $1 and $2 denominations.
  • Bigger shops are found only on Tarawa and Kiritimati.

Typical costs

  • The source lists the Majuro–Tarawa airfare as US$330 when bought in the Marshall Islands.
  • A tourist electronic SIM card, or eSIM, is listed at around US$50 for 1 GB of data, valid for one month.

Language

  • English is an official language and is widely used in South Tarawa.
  • Kiribati, also called Gilbertese, is an official language and is more widely used away from the capital.
  • Most people on Kiritimati speak some English.

Staying safe

  • Kiribati is generally safe, but being outside after dark in Betio or on South Tarawa's beaches can be risky, especially for women travelling alone.
  • Most reported trouble is linked to drunk men.
  • Take care on roads because children, animals and buses all share the road space.

Local customs

Do

  • Ask the landowner before going swimming.
  • Follow local rules around stone figures that have religious importance.

Staying healthy

  • Boil or filter drinking water. Chemical treatment is not recommended because it may not prevent giardiasis, an illness caused by a parasite.
  • South Tarawa's lagoon is heavily polluted, especially around Betio. Always ask about safety before entering any water on South Tarawa; asking is also a good idea on other islands.
  • Get a hepatitis A vaccination and keep other vaccinations up to date, preferably several weeks before travel.
  • Bring insect repellent and sunscreen because they are not available locally. Mosquitoes can be troublesome, and dengue fever outbreaks sometimes occur, although there is no malaria.

Phone and internet

  • Vodafone's local service covers most inhabited islands with third-generation mobile service, called 3G. Some islands also have fourth-generation service, called 4G.
  • Tourist electronic SIM cards, called eSIMs, are expensive, at around US$50 for 1 GB of data for one month. The source reports few providers as of 2025, including Maya Mobile.
  • A physical SIM card from the Vodafone office in Bairiki has reportedly been much cheaper. This route has no published official tourist offer.
  • Some international eSIMs may work even when Kiribati is not listed as covered. Do not rely on this.

Where to stay

  • Accommodation choices vary by island, and the country has few places serving visitors.
  • Conditions on Kiritimati are somewhat better than in much of the country.
  • Marys and the Otintaai are two hotels named in the source.

Outdoor adventures in Kiribati

Kiribati offers blue lagoons, white sandy beaches and atolls to explore on foot or by bike. Boating and birdwatching are highlights, but remote islands can be hard to reach and visitor facilities are limited.

  • Atoll cycling

    Cycling

    Explore the atolls by bike. No bike hire locations or specific routes are listed.

    • Watch for pigs, children, dogs and buses sharing the roads.

  • Boating and yachting around Kiribati

    Sailing

    Explore the islands by boat or yacht. No operators, departure points or routes are listed.

  • Phoenix Islands Marine Protected Area birdwatching

    WildlifePhoenix Islands

    Access to the Phoenix Islands is difficult. Authorities aim to limit visitor numbers, and no visitor transport arrangements are listed.

    • Emergency evacuation from outer islands can be slow and difficult.

  • Kanton Island giant clams

    WildlifePhoenix Islands

    Kanton is in the hard-to-access Phoenix Islands. No specific clam-viewing trips or access arrangements are listed.

  • Atoll walks

    Hike

    Explore the atolls on foot. No marked walking routes or trailheads are listed.

    • Take care around traffic and animals on roads.
    • Being outside after dark in Betio or along South Tarawa's beach can be risky, especially for women travelling alone.

Airports, metros and trains in Kiribati

Airports with scheduled flights

  • TRWBonriki International AirportSouth TarawaMain international airport
  • CXICassidy International AirportKiritimatiMain international airport

People and safety in Kiribati

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mostly one faith.

  • Christian97%
  • Other2%
  • No religion<1%

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex relationships are illegal

  • The law allows up to 14 years in prison.
  • Some laws protect against discrimination.

Check your own government's travel advice before you go, and be careful with public displays of affection and dating apps.

Women travellers

Ranked #112 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.

65% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 121 of 198 countries can visit Kiribati easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required120
  • Visa on arrival1
  • Visa required76
  • Admission refused1

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Oceania13 of 13 countries
  • Americas33 of 35 countries
  • Europe34 of 46 countries
  • Asia20 of 50 countries
  • Africa21 of 54 countries

Questions

Where is Kiribati, and how do I say its name?

Kiribati is an island country in Micronesia at the equator. Its name is pronounced “Kiribahs”.

What weather should I expect?

Expect very humid conditions that can feel like a sauna. The wet season is usually December to March, with some variation, and severe droughts also occur.

How can I fly to Kiribati?

Fiji Airways serves Tarawa from Nadi and Kiritimati on its Nadi–Honolulu route. Nauru Airlines and Air Marshall Islands also serve Tarawa.

How do I travel between islands?

Air Kiribati serves the outer islands in the Gilbert group, and Coral Sun Airways offers another option. Ships also serve the Gilbert Islands but can be very full.

What money is used?

Australian dollars are used. Kiribati also has its own coins, which have the same value as Australian coins.

Will people speak English?

English is widely used in South Tarawa, and most people on Kiritimati speak some English. Kiribati, also called Gilbertese, is more widely used farther from the capital.

What food can I expect?

Fish and rice are staples, and food choices are limited, especially fresh fruit and vegetables. Western-style meals are available at Marys and the Otintaai, and there are Chinese restaurants.

Is the water safe to drink or swim in?

Boil or filter drinking water. South Tarawa's lagoon is heavily polluted, so always ask about safety before entering the water.

Is it safe to go out after dark?

Being outside after dark in Betio or on South Tarawa's beaches can be risky, especially for women travelling alone. Most trouble is linked to drunk men.

Can I get mobile service?

Vodafone covers most inhabited islands, with faster service on some islands. Tourist eSIMs are expensive, while cheaper physical SIM cards have reportedly been available at its Bairiki office.

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