Abaiang
Kiribati · Gilbert Islands · 2 m
Description
Abaiang means north land, and it is the outer island of Kiribati that a visitor can actually reach, fifteen minutes by air from Tarawa or four hours by boat. It is also where the country's written history begins. The first Protestant mission in the Gilberts was established here, and the Catholic church at the northern end carries window frames painted in every colour of the rainbow, which is the photograph everyone takes away. A small local resort is the only accommodation. The lagoon is broad and shallow, the road is sand, and a bicycle covers the island.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 4 days (optimal 2 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: May – October
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- The Catholic church and its rainbow window frames
- Fifteen minutes by air from Tarawa
- Site of the first Protestant mission in the Gilberts
- Lagoon beaches on the sheltered side
- Cycling the sand road end to end
- Snorkelling the shallow lagoon
- The one small local resort on the island
- Village maneaba and daily island life
- An outer island without a single car
Getting there
- Airports:
- ABF
- Seaport:
- Reachable by ship or ferry