Introduction
Formerly the Gilbert Islands, Kiribati actually comprises three separate island groups scattered across the Pacific Ocean; Kiribati island, the Line Islands and the Phoenix Islands total 33 individual, often uninhabited, islands that straddle the equator.
Kiribati travel is still in its infancy in comparison to other Pacific islands. Those that venture here will find plenty of good beaches and a very laid-back lifestyle though. The administrative centre, Tarawa, is one of the most densely populated parts of the Pacific. Despite the urban migration, there's still plenty of tradition to discover here.
Christmas Island, in the Line Islands, makes up half of Kiribati's land mass and is the world's largest coral atoll; it receives the majority of people looking for Kiribati holidays. Also known as Kiritimati, it's a good place to try game- or bone-fishing or to spot some of the unique local bird species that inhabit the many lakes and ponds here.
