Kiribati

Known to many under British rule as the Gilbert Islands, Kiribati (pronounced Kiribas) may be a tiny nation in the central tropical Pacific Ocean, but its 33 atolls, mostly surrounding turquoise lagoons and barely rising above the surrounding ocean, span a whopping 1.4 million square miles (3.5 million sq km) of the Pacific Ocean.

First sighted by British and American ships in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the main chain of islands was named the Gilbert Islands in 1820 after a British captain who crossed the archipelago on route to China in 1788.

Only two thirds of the islands are actually inhabited and interestingly, uninhabited Caroline Island was the first to usher in the millennium giving Kiribati much needed publicity and a helping hand onto the world's stage. The increased number of tourists in the past decade is proof of this.

Kiribati's islands offer a multitude of fascinating and exquisite tourist attractions. Christmas Island, located in the southern part of the Line Islands, is a bird-watcher's paradise and is an important breeding habitat for the seabirds that flock to these islands to swoon over the surface tropical fish, squid and tuna. Common sightings include the Wedge-tailed, Christmas, and Audubon's Shearwaters, as well as the Masked, Brown, and Red-footed Boobies.

The clear turquoise waters teem with unique biodiversity of unique marine life found off the shores of the Kiribati islands, considered to be one of the few unspoiled and unexplored underwater sanctuaries remaining in the world.

The locals in the outer islands survive on coconuts, breadfruit and fish as Kiribati's recent colonial and WWII history has had little impact on them, but the main island of Tarawa was the scene of one of the bloodiest battles in WWII history when more than 7,000 Japanese and American soldiers lost their lives. The locals here still reside in thatched houses, but there are signs of a stronger Western influence with more cars, movies, bars and Internet access available.

Many people come here to sunbathe on one of the countless sandy white beaches, sip on an exotic cocktail and watch other beach goers partake in volleyball, surfing, kayaking and jet skiing. The Taiwan Park and Dai-Nippon Causeway in the eastern tip of the Betio Islet in Tarawa are definitely worth a visit.

Nothing really happens too fast here and visitors will enjoy slowing down and living on Kiribati island time.

Passport Visa

All foreign passengers to Kiribati must hold proof of return/onward tickets (or sufficient funds to purchase them), and proof of sufficient funds to cover their expenses while in the country. Generally, visa-exempt visitors are granted an initial stay of 30 days. An extension of stay is possible, provided that it does not exceed four months in any calendar year. Note that a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Kiribati, if arriving within six days of leaving or transiting through an infected area. NOTE: It is highly recommended that your passport has at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Entry Requirements

• US citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival in Kiribati. A visa is not required (see note, below).
• British citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival in Kiribati. A visa is not required (see note below) for holders of British passports endorsed British Citizen or British National (Overseas), nor for holders of British passports issued to residents of Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Montserrat and Turks & Caicos Islands, and endorsed British Overseas Territories Citizen or British Dependent Territories Citizen.
• Canadian citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival in Kiribati. A visa is not required (see note, below).
• Australian citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival in Kiribati. A visa is not required (see note, below).
• South African citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival, and require a visa, to enter Kiribati.
• Irish citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival in Kiribati. A visa is not required (see note, below).
• New Zealand citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival in Kiribati. A visa is not required (see note, below).

Embassy Consulates

Foreign Embassies