Kiribati

Lagoons, Reefs and the Edge of Tomorrow

The islands are divided into three groups: the Gilbert Islands in the west, the Phoenix Islands in the centre, and the Line Islands in the east. Kiritimati, the largest coral atoll in the world by land area, sits in the Line Islands and is the first inhabited place on Earth to greet each new year. Beneath the waves, the Phoenix Islands Protected Area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest marine protected areas on the planet, its pristine reefs teeming with sharks, manta rays and kaleidoscopic fish life.

Culture, Canoes and Maneaba Life

Life in Kiribati revolves around the maneaba, the traditional open-sided meeting house that serves as the social heart of every village. Here, communities gather to share stories, settle disputes and celebrate with song and dance. Traditional outrigger canoe sailing remains both a practical skill and a source of deep cultural pride. The cuisine leans on fresh fish, coconut and breadfruit, and the pace of life on the outer islands is unhurried and generous. Visitors who make the effort to venture beyond South Tarawa are rewarded with warmth and authenticity that is hard to find anywhere else.

Climate Change and a Nation on the Front Line

Kiribati sits no more than two metres above sea level and is one of the countries most acutely threatened by rising seas. The government has purchased land in Fiji as a long-term contingency, and the question of how to preserve I-Kiribati culture and sovereignty in a changing world is central to national life. Visiting Kiribati is a chance to witness and support a community that is navigating an existential challenge with remarkable resilience and dignity.