South Tarawa, Photo: Photo taken by Government of Kiribati employee in the course of their work, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in Kiribati
Kiribati, made simple: atolls, lagoons and island warmth, without the worry
Kiribati is a nation of thirty-three coral atolls and islands strung across the equator in the central Pacific, the first country to greet each new day. Few travellers make it here, which is exactly the appeal: vast lagoons, Second World War history, maneaba culture and world-class fly fishing. This guide takes the guesswork out of flights, entry, money and where to base yourself.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you flyEntry rules, money, health and the limited flight schedule, answered
- LandingBonriki or Kiritimati airport and your first hour on an atoll
- Your days on the atollsLagoons, war sites, villages and food, planned around tides and boats
- Home againDeparture tips so a weekly flight never catches you out
Where to go, eat and stay
- Plain answersClear, honest guidance on the questions first-timers actually ask.
- Official sourcesEntry, health and safety facts point you to the official pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain what costs more and what costs less, so your budget holds.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
Kiribati is one of the least visited countries on earth, and that can feel daunting. We answer the questions about flights, cash, water, tides and island etiquette before they start, so you arrive ready to find your Bliss.
Kiribati has very little tourist infrastructure. Plan ahead, keep your plans flexible and treat the slow pace as part of the experience.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a trip that feels easy.
- Choose your islandsTarawa for culture and history, Kiritimati for fishing and birds, or an outer atoll for village life.
- Sort the essentialsEntry rules, money, health and flight days, checked against official sources.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list for war sites, lagoons, villages, food and stays.
- Plan your routeUse the free trip planner to build your days around the few weekly flights.
Everything your Kiribati trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
South Tarawa, Betio, North Tarawa, Kiritimati and Abaiang, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred war sites, lagoons, villages, churches, food stops and stays.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into Tarawa and Kiritimati and the few stays on each island.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Sights, food and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and build a route that fits.
Plan your trip
The Kiribati trip
Two island groups, two very different trips
Most visitors land on Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands, where the capital strip of South Tarawa, the Battle of Tarawa sites on Betio and the quiet villages of North Tarawa sit around one huge lagoon. Far to the east, Kiritimati in the Line Islands is a world apart: a vast, empty atoll of bonefish flats and seabird colonies, reached by its own weekly flight.
- Battle of Tarawa relics on Betio
- Maneaba culture and village life in North Tarawa
- Bonefish and giant trevally on Kiritimati
- Lagoon swimming and sunsets everywhere
Plan with confidence
Your route, without the worry
Flights into Kiribati run only a few times a week, and Tarawa and Kiritimati are not linked by a simple direct hop. Our free planner helps you match islands to flight days and leave buffer time for delays.
- Realistic flight connections
- Buffer days for weather and delays
- Where to base yourself
Where to go in Kiribati
From the capital strip of South Tarawa and the war history of Betio to the villages of North Tarawa, the fishing flats of Kiritimati and the outer atoll of Abaiang.
Tarawa atoll, Gilbert Islands
South Tarawa
The capital strip, a narrow chain of islets joined by causeways, with the parliament, museum and most hotels.
Read the guidePhoto: Photo taken by Government of Kiribati employee in the course of their work, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Western end of South Tarawa, Gilbert Islands
Betio
The port islet at the western tip of Tarawa, scene of the 1943 battle, with guns, bunkers and memorials.
Read the guidePhoto: Arorae, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Northern and eastern Tarawa atoll, Gilbert Islands
North Tarawa
The rural side of the atoll, with traditional villages, empty beaches and reef walks at low tide.
Read the guidePhoto: Flexman, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Line Islands, eastern Kiribati
Kiritimati
The world's largest coral atoll by land area, famous for fly fishing and seabirds, far east in the Line Islands.
Read the guidePhoto: Calvin Smith from Madrid, Spain, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Gilbert Islands, north of Tarawa
Abaiang
An easy outer island north of Tarawa, with a clear lagoon, historic church and village stays.
Read the guidePhoto: Flexman, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is Kiribati worth visiting?
Yes, for travellers who value people and places over polish. You get warm hospitality, vast lagoons, moving Second World War history and some of the best fly fishing anywhere, with almost no other tourists.
Do I need a visa for Kiribati?
Many nationalities can visit without a visa for a limited stay, but the rules depend on your passport. Check the Kiribati government and Kiribati National Tourism Office pages and your own government's travel advice before you book.
What currency is used in Kiribati?
The Australian dollar. Cards are accepted in very few places, so bring enough cash and use the bank ATMs in South Tarawa where they work. Outer islands are cash only.
What language do people speak?
Gilbertese, called te taetae ni Kiribati, is spoken everywhere, and English is an official language used in government and business. Say "Mauri" for hello and "Ko rabwa" for thank you.
How do I get to Kiribati?
Tarawa is reached mainly via Nadi in Fiji or via Brisbane and Nauru. Kiritimati has a weekly flight linking Nadi and Honolulu. Schedules change, so confirm with the airlines.
Is Kiribati safe for tourists?
Generally yes. Serious crime against visitors is uncommon, but take care with alcohol-fuelled trouble at night, stray dogs, road traffic, ocean currents and limited medical care. Read your government's current travel advice.
Ready to find your Bliss in Kiribati?
Use the free trip planner to turn ideas into a route that fits the flight days and your budget.