Location Overview

Kiribati is one of the few places in the world where you can stand on the edge of today, quite literally. Located across all four hemispheres and straddling the International Date Line, this island nation is the first to see the sunrise each day. Spread across 33 coral atolls and reef islands, Kiribati offers a travel experience that's refreshingly different. There's no rush, no towering resorts, and no manufactured attractions. Instead, visitors find themselves navigating narrow causeways, watching fishermen cast nets from wooden canoes, and being invited into open-air maneaba (meeting houses) where daily life unfolds under pandanus-leaf roofs.

The the outer islands offer a deeper glimpse into Kiribati's traditional way of life. In places like Abaiang and Nonouti, there are no cars, and electricity is limited. What you'll find instead are untouched lagoons, coral reef flats, and village communities where hospitality is a part of daily life. Visitors may be invited to take part in a botaki (celebration), which includes dancing, singing, and a feast centered on seafood, coconut, and breadfruit. Canoe races and local storytelling sessions often follow, especially when visitors are present.