Discover the Gilbert Islands

For a trip to the Gilbert Islands, you can organize your interests around specific themes: community culture, visible reminders of World War II, and fishing charters from Tarawa offer different perspectives. A historical connection on Abemama and flight connections from Tarawa to places in the outer Gilbert Islands are also useful to know about. If you are looking for a hotel, these themes can first help you decide what to focus on during your trip; then search specifically for a hotel for your stay.

Culture and history in the Gilbert Islands

Robert Louis Stevenson once lived on Abemama. His life story offers a distinct biographical point of interest alongside the historical sites from World War II. At a community event in a maneaba in the Gilbert Islands, visitors can experience traditional dances, including Te Kaimatoa, singing, and Kiribati hospitality. If you would like to plan such an experience, check the dates and practical arrangements in advance.

The Gilbert Islands have numerous historical sites from World War II, and remnants of the fighting are still visible. Community events and historical traces offer different perspectives on culture and history. When planning your trip, you can therefore consider whether you would rather focus on a cultural experience or on the history of World War II.

Flight connections and deep-sea fishing from Tarawa

There are flight connections from Tarawa to 16 places in the outer Gilbert Islands. The number of connections and schedules may change, so check current services before your trip. Visitors can also take locally operated charter trips from Tarawa to the Gilbert Islands’ deep-sea fishing grounds. If deep-sea fishing is part of your travel plans, check the dates and practical arrangements in advance.

The flight connections and charter trips address different planning needs: the flights focus on connections to places in the outer Gilbert Islands, while the charter is for deep-sea fishing.

More information about the wider travel destination of Kiribati

Additional nature and history topics relate to the wider travel destination of Kiribati and to named places such as Kiritimati, Tarawa, and Butaritari. On Kiritimati, bird- and wildlife-watching tours can be arranged through hotels and local tour operators. Visitors to protected areas must report to the Kiribati Wildlife and Conservation Unit, and guests must be accompanied by trained rangers. Check current arrangements with local operators.

Kiritimati is home to 18 bird species, including the endemic Christmas Island reed warbler, known locally as Bokikokiko. Wildlife presence and conservation status may change. Guided battlefield tours are offered on Tarawa and Butaritari, visiting remains of coastal defense guns, concrete bunkers, pillbox bunkers, tank wrecks, amphibious vehicles, shipwrecks, and aircraft wrecks, as well as landing beaches and memorials. Check current tour arrangements before your trip.

Scuba diving is possible on Kiritimati year-round. The tourism description identifies April to November as the best time for good visibility and calm water; conditions may vary. Whale shark sightings are most common there from November to April. The two periods overlap in April but describe different things: the stated best diving conditions and the most frequent whale shark sightings.

Surfing advice for Kiritimati also differs by skill level: according to the tourism description, two-thirds of its 24 surf breaks are considered suitable for all skill levels. The remaining third have a rough coral bottom and are considered suitable only for experienced surfers. Conditions and characteristics of individual breaks may vary. On Tarawa, the most accessible surf breaks are in Temaiku, a village not far from the airport; descriptions of accessibility and local conditions may also change.

Discover more destinations: Eita, Banraeaba, Betio.

For the wider travel overview: Kiribati.