 Christmas Island/Kiritimati : Profile
These pacific islands (formally called the Gilbert Islands)straddle the equator as well as the international date line. In 1995 this line was moved eastwards in order that Kiribati's Line Islands group came within the same date as the rest of the country's islands.
It is relatively easy to land on the beach opposite the anchorage and walk to the government offices to clear in or. alternatively, land at the jetty. The Port Captain's office is near by.
The customs, immigration and quarantine offices are all close together and each officer will come to inspect the boat. There is a small anchorage fee. It is better to transport them in one's own dinghy as a high price will be demanded for the launch service. Firearms are taken ashore and locked up at the police station until departure.
The customs office is at the container yard by the jetty. It is not always open but it may be possile to arrange with immigration to telephone customs and arrange an appointment.
Last updates September 2008
The pass into the lagoon is both difficult to locate and now reported to be silted, having a depth of only 4ft(2007), so the best anchorage (GPS 1°59.08'N 157°28.83'W) is west of London, the main settlement, just off the tennis and basketball court, which is occasionally lit at night.
It has been recommended that between November and April yachts anchoring offshore of Christmas Island should anchor in at least 30 feet of water. The anchorage is open to winter swells from the North and West and swells may arrive without any warning. In January 2004 surf with face heights in excess of 30 feet was reported in the anchorage by a local yacht.
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