Explore: Kiribati - General Info
Time Zone
UTC (+12), Canton Island UTC (-11), Christmas Island UTC (-10).
Yachting Essentials
Electricity:
- Voltage: 240 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Water:
- Bottled drinking water is recommended. On Tarawa (Betio Islet) desalinated water to fill tanks is available by the ton from the fish factory.
- Rainwater available on Abaiang atoll, Fanning Island (limited) and Canton (very limited). Water at Abemama, Butaritari and Kiritimati.
Fuel:
- Diesel from the oil company on the wharf at Betio Islet, Tarawa.
- Both diesel and gasoline (petroleum) can be obtained by jerry can on Kiritimati.
- Limited quantities of diesel on Fanning Island.
LPG:
- Available on Tarawa and Kiritimati.
Haulout and Repairs:
- Kiritimati has a 50 ton crane where it may be possible to be lifted out in an emergency.
- Mechanical, electrical and engineering workshops in Tarawa may be able to assist with basic repairs. The haulout facility there is no longer operating.
Provisioning:
- There is an assortment of canned goods and local fruits and vegetables are readily available on most islands. There are no provisions in the Phoenix Islands.
Opening Hours
Normal office hours are 08:00 to 16:15, Monday to Friday.
Shopping hours are generally 07:00 to 19:00, Monday to Saturday and half day on Sundays.
Money
Australian dollar (AUD$)
There are ATMs at branches of the Bank of Kiribati and ANZ in Betio, Bairiki and Bikenibeu (all on Tarawa Atoll).
Credit cards have very limited acceptance.
Communications
International Dialing Code for Kiribati is +686.
Internet 4G is available from the ATH office in Bairiki or Betio. Prices are in the region of AUS$50 for 6GB valid for 30 days. This also works in Abaiang Atoll. Â Can use with Dongle or phone sim card.
Transport
Air Pacific flies twice a week from Nadi to Tarawa. It also connects Christmas Island once a week from Nadi and Honolulu, as well as a service to Tarawa once a week from Brisbane and Nauru.
Air Kiribati operates domestic flights to the outer islands in the Gilbert Group.
Buses operate on South Tarawa and Christmas Island.
Diplomatic Missions
Emergencies
- Emergency – Dial 999
- Police – 192
- Fire – 193
- Ambulance – 194
Publications
East Asia: Cruising Japan to New Zealand
Useful information on route via Japan's Southern Archipelago, the Taiwan Straits, Hong Kong, Macau, the Philippines, and Micronesia. By Tere Batham Publisher: Sheridan House (October 31, 2004) ISBN-13: 978-1574091823... Read More
Indo-Pacific: Nudibranch & Sea Slug Identification
This second, updated and reorganized edition, includes 185 new species. Among other features, the new edition includes additional photographs, an identification key, and an up-to-date classification. This book illustrates 2,138 Indo-Pacific nudibranchs and sea slugs, including many undescribed species. By: Terrence Gosliner, Angel Valdes & David Behrens Publisher: New World Publications; 2nd edition... Read More
Micronesia: Moon Handbooks Micronesia
This guide covers all four Pacific archipelagos: Guam; the Republics of Palau, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, and Nauru; the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, including Saipan, and the Federated States of Micronesia. Completely updated and revised, the sixth edition of Moon Handbooks Micronesia, is packed with the most current information... Read More
Pacific Crossing Guide
The Pacific Crossing Guide is a complete reference for anyone contemplating sailing the Pacific in their own boat. From ideal timing, suitable boats, routes, methods of communication, health and provisioning to seasonal weather, departure and arrival ports, facilities, likely costs and dangers, the comprehensiveness of this new edition will both... Read More
Pacific-South West Island: British Admiralty Pacific Islands Pilot Vol ll(The Central Groups)
This covers the islands of the South-West Part of the Pacific Ocean including: Nouvelle-Calédonie and îles Loyauté Vanuata, Banks and Torres Islands, Santa Cruz Islands, Fiji Islands, Samoa Islands, Tuvalu, Kiribati (Gilbert and Phoenix Groups), Marshall Islands. Published by UK Admiralty Available from Imray Publications (11th edn 2006) ISBN: 9780707718330 (ref. NP061)... Read More
Pacific: All I wish I knew before setting sail
A beginners' guide for short and long-distance cruising in the digital age. The author shares his experience of crossing the Pacific Ocean in an inexpensive, good old boat and provides solid advice for each step along the way. Author Chris Rinke learned to sail on the river Danube in Austria and has... Read More
Pacific: Landfalls of Paradise (Cruising Guide to the Pacific Islands)
The fifth edition of this sailing standard includes updated charts and text reflecting changes in regulations and facilities for most countries and specific ports of entry. New appendices include procedures for entry to Australia, which are more exacting than most Pacific landfalls, and an extensive list of information sources: cruising... Read More
Pacific: Reef Creature Identification – Tropical Pacific
A comprehensive field guide for identifying 1600 marine invertebrates from the tropical pacific with 2000 photographs and descriptive texts that focuses on mobile species, highlighting crustaceans, mollusks, worms and echinoderms. However the pages include an overview of attached marine animals, and also explore facets of marine invertebrate behavior. The guide provides a... Read More
Pacific: Reef Fish Identification – Tropical Pacific
The book features more than 200 additional species, hundreds of improved photos, scientific name changes and range extensions. The popular field guide contains the most current and comprehensive information available for divers, naturalists and aquarists chronicling marine fishes ranging from Thailand to Tahiti. The new edition includes 2,000 species with... Read More
Reeds 9-Language Handbook
The pocket dictionary is centered around clear, color, annotated diagrams, such as parts of the rig and engine, in each nautical subject area, and makes it very easy and convenient to translate between nine languages (English, French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Danish, Portuguese and Greek). The diagrams can easily be... Read More
