Things To Do in Kiribati – One of the Least Visited Countries in the World

Kiribati is one of the least visited countries in the world. Making it a truly unique country located in the heart of the central Pacific. It is renowned for its breathtaking atolls, vibrant cultural heritage, and poignant World War II remnants. But with so few visitors each year, this can make it hard to find information on all the things to do in Kiribati when you are there.

I travelled here as part of my career break in my 30s. And as a solo female traveller who visited Kiribati on my own in 2025, I wanted to share all the things to do in Kiribati that I discovered when I was there.

Facts about Kiribati

Before we dive into the plethora of things to do in Kiribati, some further information on the country. Many interesting facts make this country so unique!

• It is located in both Micronesia and Polynesia
• Kiribati straddles both the Equator and the International Date Line, making it the only country that spans all four hemispheres.
• The country is made up of 33 islands, 32 of which are atolls
• In 1995, the International Date Line was moved eastward around Kiribati so the entire country would share the same time zone. Previously, parts were 23 hours ahead of others.
• The islands cover an area equivalent to the size of the continental US; however, only 0.1% of this is land, and 99.9% is sea.
• In Kiribati, ‘ti’ is pronounced as ‘s’, so it is said ‘Kiribas’.
• There are 4 international flights a week to three different countries.

What you need to know before travelling to Kiribati

Few people visit Kiribati each year, and since most of them come for projects rather than holidays, the country hasn’t developed a strong focus on tourism.

To help you plan your trip to Kiribati, be sure to check out this guide:

Travelling to Kiribati – what you need to know before visiting

Things to do in Kiribati

Despite its limited tourism, there are still plenty of things to do in Kiribati and much to explore. If you’re planning to embark on the adventure of travelling to this unique island nation, be sure to add these sights to your list.

The Gilbert Islands – Things to do in Kiribati

The Gilbert Islands consist of 16 atolls including South Tarawa, North Tarawa and Abaiang. As the main airport is located in South Tarawa, these things to do in Kiribati are going to be the easiest to visit.

Take a tour

Forget about your usual tour booking operators when travelling to Kiribati. These are yet to reach this country. However, there are a couple of local operators on the island who are catering to tourists.

These tours aren’t the cheapest, but as a solo female traveller, I found having a local to show me around invaluable. Plus, they are a great option if you do not have your own car.

Molly’s Tours: Offers a guided tour of South Tarawa and a Japanese WWII tour.
Email: mollybrown@gmail.com or call 73001016 (I asked my hotel to call for me).
$140 AUD for a full day including pick up and transport.

Kiribati Holidays: Offers a cultural tour in North Tarawa, WWII tour in South Tarawa, or sightseeing and a local dance performance.
Email: info@kiribatiholidays.com
$200 AUD pp for a 4-hour tour including pick-up and drop-off.

Wander around Betio

Betio, the largest township in South Tarawa, is an ideal spot to experience everyday life in Kiribati. You can wander through lively local markets, watch fishermen at work, and experience the vibrant community atmosphere. Betio is the furthest point you can reach in Tarawa, and at the end is a port which is home to trade and ferries.

Find Japanese WWII relics

Dotted all over Betio are relics of World War II, remnants of the infamous Battle of Tarawa, which was one of the bloodiest conflicts in the war. The huge artillery guns have remained in their location, rusting away and now a destination for history enthusiasts. With no way to preserve or destroy them, locals have simply left the guns to decay. There are also bunkers and tanks dotted around the atoll. With no signage or preservation efforts in place, the best way to understand their historical significance is by booking a guided tour.

Te Umanibong Museum

The only museum in Kiribati, it serves as the country’s primary spot for preserving and showcasing cultural heritage, making it one of the essential things to do in Kiribati. The museum houses artefacts, traditional crafts, and historical exhibits that reflect the rich history and traditions of the islands. Highlights include displays of fishing tools, dance costumes, and intricately woven items that illustrate everyday life and ceremonial traditions. The museum grounds also feature a traditional mwaneaba (meeting house) and a botanical garden focusing on medicinal plants.

Visit Bairiki

Bairiki is the second biggest settlement in Kiribati, and while it doesn’t have as much to see, it is the traffic hub for the minibuses, and home to a lot of shops and businesses. Here you can find a shop to buy a postcard, and just next door get a chance to send it! One of the most remote places I have sent a postcard from. It took around 6 weeks to make it back to the UK.

Visit local churches

If you are in Kiribati on a Sunday, this will give you an excellent chance to see some local life by attending a Sunday worship. The majority of the population of Kiribati are Catholic, and you can see lots of churches around the country. They are large and brightly coloured, with no seats inside. The general congregation stand for services.

Tour the Houses of Parliament

The House of Assembly is the sole House of Parliament in Kiribati, and is located in South Tarawa. As a sovereign and democratic state, Kiribati has 42 members of Parliament, elected every 4 years. They built the Houses of Parliament to represent a maneaba, a traditional building used for gatherings in villages. In front of the main building, you can find a map that represents the full country of Kiribati. Tours inside are also available, and it is really interesting to see. Parliament members usually hold meetings only three times a year, each lasting 2–3 weeks, as they need to fly in from the outer atolls.

Walk the connecting causeways

Previously, access to a lot of the islands, including Beito, was only via ferry. However, there has been support from the Japanese to build a lot of causeways connecting them in South Tarawa. Enjoy walking along these thin roads that are nothing more than a strip in the sea. It really shows how narrow this island is!

Get the ferry to North Tarawa

Leaving South Tarawa and heading to North Tarawa is a must of the ‘things to do in Kiribati ‘! North Tarawa is more sparsely populated, and there is less of a problem with waste disposal. To get across to this part of the country, you drive as far as you can before parking your car on the edge of the atoll. From there you need to cross Sue’s Creek. At low tide you can wade across. At high you need to catch the ferry – a local boat that goes back and forth when it is full. It costs 80 cents to cross. An experience that is definitely worth it!

Stay in an Eco Lodge

If you’ve made it as far as North Tarawa, you’ll likely want to stay in an Eco Lodge. Tabon Te Keekee Eco Lodge features buias (traditional housing in Kiribati), and the owners have built many of them out over the sea. This offers an incredibly unique place to stay and experience the country! The challenge will be booking, which is usually via WhatsApp or email but replies aren’t always consistent. However, if you manage it, then this is a perfect way to meet and chat with locals, as well as relax and enjoy island life.

Visit the Abaiang Atoll

Visiting Abaiang Atoll gives you a peaceful and authentic escape into traditional Kiribati life. This quiet atoll features pristine beaches and a slower pace. You can stay in eco-lodges, experience local culture firsthand, explore coastal villages, and learn about the region’s conservation efforts, especially those focused on climate change and sustainable living.

The best way to get to the Abaiang Atoll is by flying from Bonriki Airport, and the flight takes around 10 to 15 minutes. Flights are three times a week on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

The Line Islands – Things to do in Kiribati

There are 11 atolls in the Line Islands, but only 8 belong to Kiribati. The other 3 are territories of the USA. Of these 8, only three have a permanent population. The world’s largest atoll is Kiritimati Island (pronounced Christmas Island), which is the most developed for tourism.

Kiritimati Island

Kiritimati is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers. You can go bonefishing on the shallow flats, snorkel or dive among vibrant coral reefs, and explore remote beaches which are home to many seabirds.

Wildlife sanctuaries offer fantastic birdwatching, while the lagoon and reef channels are perfect for kayaking or boat trips. There are also shipwrecks to visit and panoramic viewpoints like Joe’s Hill for stunning views across the island.

How to Get There:
Kiritimati is accessible by air from Fiji and Hawaii. Fiji Airways operates weekly flights from Nadi, while Hawaiian Airlines has occasionally operated charter services from Honolulu (check current schedules, as routes are limited and subject to change). Flights typically land at Cassidy International Airport.

The Phoenix Islands – Things to do in Kiribati

The Phoenix Islands are made up of 8 atolls and 2 submerged coral reefs, and are extremely hard to get to.

If you do make it, the Phoenix Islands offer an unparalleled experience of remote wilderness and marine biodiversity. It is part of the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA), and home to one of the world’s largest marine reserves; the islands are ideal for scientific expeditions, eco research, and advanced scuba diving in untouched coral reefs. The area is also a haven for birdwatching, with numerous species of seabirds nesting on these uninhabited atolls.

How to Get There:
There are no commercial flights or tourist infrastructure, so the main visitors are scientific or conservation expeditions. If you want to visit these islands, you would need to charter a passage on one of these boats, departing either from Tarawa or Fiji.

How long do you need in Kiribati?

Given how infrequent the international flights to this country are, your timings are a little at the mercy of flight schedules.

If you are planning on just staying in Tarawa, you need no more than 3 days to see everything, and this is with a lot of downtime.

However, if you are looking to travel to the outer atolls, plan for at least 10 days to 2 weeks to make sure you can get connecting internal flights.

How to plan your trip to Kiribati

Kiribati Tourism has a very useful website on things to do in Kiribati, but you can still not book anything online. The best thing to do is visit the Kiribati Holidays office on arrival in the country. Head to Tobaraoi Travel, which is the home of Kiribati Travel, and they will be able to help you with tours, accommodation and flights.

Is solo female travel safe in Kiribati?

Overall, I felt quite safe travelling to Kiribati as a solo female traveller, though ‘safe’ comes with the usual caveats. Take your usual precautions, stay aware of your surroundings, and trust your instincts. You also need to understand the challenges of travelling to a country like Kiribati, which offers no resorts, has limited infrastructure, follows different cultural norms, and remains very remote and undeveloped. However, I walked freely around the country and didn’t feel uncomfortable. The locals stared mostly out of curiosity since tourists are so rare there.

Things to consider as a solo female traveller in Kiribati:

• Crime rate is generally low. However, petty crime such as pickpocketing isn’t unusual.
• South Tarawa in particular is less safe at night, so it is best not to walk alone after dark.
• Kiribati is a conservative country, so dress accordingly with shoulders and knees covered.
• Healthcare services in Kiribati are limited. South Tarawa has one hospital and one healthcare facility, but they lack sufficient resources. Bring medication with you because it can be hard to find locally.
• It can be difficult to travel around the country. Local buses are crowded with passengers, and while many people hitchhike, I didn’t feel comfortable doing so as a solo female traveller in Kiribati.

Overall, this is an incredibly rewarding place to travel to, and generally safe for solo female travellers. If you are looking to explore off the beaten track and travel with an open mind, Kiribati is a wonderful country to consider.

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