Kiribati consists of 32 atolls, spread across three island groups, plus the island of Banaba.

The islands stretch across several thousand kilometers, which makes Kiribati the only country in the world that lies in all four hemispheres.

From the westernmost island, Banaba, to the easternmost island in Caroline Atoll, the distance is more than 4,500 kilometers. From the northernmost island, Washington Island, to the southernmost, Flint Island, the distance is more than 2,000 kilometers.

Geography

Photo of Abaiang Atoll on approach to Tarawa.

How to get to Kiribati?

There are only a handful of flight connections to Kiribati, landing at one of the two international airports:

1. Cassidy International Airport
2. Bonriki International Airport

Kiritimati

There are only three flights per week to Cassidy International Airport (CXI):

1. Fiji Airways FJ822 from Nadi (Fiji)
2. Fiji Airways FJ823 from Honolulu (USA)
3. Nauru Airlines ON123 from Tarawa (Kiribati)

Tarawa

There are seven flights per week to Bonriki International Airport:

1. Nauru Airlines ON124 from Kiritimati (Kiribati)
2. Nauru Airlines ON23, ON31, ON41 from Nauru
3. Nauru Airlines ON32, ON42 from Majuro (Marshall Islands)
4. Fiji Airways FJ231 from Nadi (Fiji)

Gilbert Islands

The Gilbert Islands are the main island group with 16 atolls. This is also where the capital, South Tarawa, is located. What you can see in Tarawa can be found here: 15 Highlights in Tarawa (Kiribati)

Boot

There are no ferry connections between the individual islands, but it is possible to travel from one island to another by boat, either on a tour or with a private boat.

Cargo ships also often take passengers, but there is no guarantee and there are no fixed schedules. The best option is to ask directly at the port in Betio.

Plane

Most atolls in the Gilbert Islands have a small airstrip and are served by Air Kiribati.

Bus

South Tarawa is the only island in the Gilbert Islands where buses operate. You can simply wave down an approaching bus at a stop. If you want to get off, you just call out “Stop Here”.

Rental car

The easiest way to get from A to B in Tarawa is by renting a car. If you want to learn more about driving in Tarawa, check this out: Driving in Tarawa

Photo of Buariki in North Tarawa while approaching Tarawa

Line Islands

Kiribati’s second international airport, Cassidy International Airport, is located on the island of Kiritimati. Only three of the eight islands are inhabited:

1. Kiritimati
2. Tabuaeran
3. Teraina

Plane

Air Kiribati flies regularly from Kiritimati to the two islands Tabuaeran and Teraina.

Ship

Cargo ships traveling between the islands often take passengers. However, there is no fixed timetable.

Bus

There are bus connections on Kiritimati. However, there is no set schedule. The bus runs when it runs.

Scooter

The easiest way is to rent a scooter on Kiritimati. You can rent them through most hotels.

Phoenix Islands

The Phoenix Islands are a large nature reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visiting is only allowed with special permission. There are no regular flight connections. The Phoenix Islands can only be reached via a charter flight with Air Kiribati.

Banaba

Banaba is the most difficult of all Kiribati’s islands to reach. There are no flights, and you can only get there by ship. There are also no hotels or guesthouses on Banaba, so you can only stay with private hosts.

Air Kiribati

The national airline Air Kiribati serves most atolls in Kiribati. The fleet consists of two aircraft:

1. De Havilland Canada DHC 8-100
2. De Havilland Canada DHC 6-300

You can find Air Kiribati’s schedule here on their official website.