Kiribati - Facts

Kiribati FAQs

Pre-Arrival Boat: An Advance Notice of Arrival is required prior to arriving at a Port of Entry. Contact Tarawa Radio on VHF Channel 16 when entering Kiribati waters. See Clearance for details.

Pre-Arrival Crew: Visas are issued on arrival.  See Immigration for details and for a list of Visa Waiver countries.
Where can I enter? There are only two places to clear in and out of Kiribati:  Tarawa and Kiritimati.  See Clearance for details.
Are fees high to enter by yacht? There is no charge for clearance during working hours.  However, there are overtime fees as well as Port, Health and Anchorage Fees to pay.  See Fees for details.
What security concerns should I know about? None. See Security for more info.

Kiribati Facts for Sailors

• The Republic of Kiribati (pronounced "kiribass"), formerly the Gilbert Islands, is a group of more than 30 islands situated in the centre of the Pacific Ocean around the point where the international dateline and the equator cross.
• Besides the 16 original Gilbert Islands, Kiribati also includes Banaba (Ocean Island), the eight Phoenix Islands, and eight of the 11 Line Islands. All of the islands are low atolls enclosing lagoons, rarely more than four meters (12 feet) above sea level. The notable exception is Banaba, which is volcanic.
• Kiribati is very isolated, its small islands spread out over more than one million square miles of ocean. Little grows on these islands except coconut palms and not all of them are inhabited. Kiribati's future is threatened by rising sea levels.
• The population on Kiribati is around 110,000 with over half living on Tarawa.
• English is the official language. After Tarawa, Gilbertese and I-Kiribati (or a mix of the two) are more commonly spoken.
• The Kiribati dollar and the Australian dollar are both used in Kiribati.
• Time zones vary depending on island group. Gilbert Island Time is UTC+12. Phoenix Island Time is UTC +13. Line Islands is UTC +14.
• Kiribati has a hot, humid, tropical climate with air temperatures very closely related to the temperature of the oceans surrounding the small islands and atolls. See weather for more info.
• Visiting this sprawling archipelago requires careful planning. Following the Pandemic there are now only 2 Ports of Entry: Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands and Kiritimati (Christmas) in the Line Islands. The prevailing winds and currents are from the south. Their remoteness is what makes these islands so intriguing.
• The Line Islands, together with Washington belong to Kiribati and their local names have been confused and are often wrongly depicted in nautical publications.  Their correct names are Kiritimati (Christmas), Fanning (Tabuerean) and Wahington (Teraina).
• Kiritimati (Christmas Island) in particular is a convenient stopover point for boats on passage between Hawaii and French Polynesia. The site of former British nuclear tests, the island was handed over to Kiribati on that country's independence. The island is a sanctuary to millions of seabirds and access to the breeding areas is prohibited.
• Fanning Island (Tabuerean), only 257 kilometres (160 miles) farther north, is a typical Pacific island, clean, welcoming and self-sufficient.
• Navigational aids are not very reliable and it is reported that most atolls are without lights after midnight.
• Most facilities available in Kiribati are concentrated on Tarawa which comprises several islands around a lagoon. Facilities and availability of goods on the other islands are basic and limited, but there is plenty of fish everywhere.  Obtaining water can be a problem.  For more information see the Yachting Essentials section.