South Tarawa
Kiribati · Gilbert Islands · 2 m
Description
South Tarawa is the capital of Kiribati, a chain of islets welded into one long road along the southern rim of Tarawa atoll, and more than a third of the country lives on it. Betio at the western tip is where the United States landed in November 1943, and the Battle of Tarawa left the densest field of relics in the Pacific. Vickers eight inch coastal guns still stand in their concrete bunkers, and a Sherman tank sits in the shallows off Red Beach 2. Almost nobody comes here on holiday, which is the whole character of the place.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 2 to 5 days (optimal 3 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: May – October
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Betio and the relics of the Battle of Tarawa
- The Vickers eight inch coastal guns in their bunkers
- Bairiki and the government quarter
- The Sherman tank in the shallows off Red Beach 2
- Te Umwanibong, the Kiribati culture museum in Bikenibeu
- Nippon Causeway between Betio and Bairiki
- Maneaba ni Maungatabu, the national parliament house
- Betio port and the boats to the outer islands
- Village maneaba meeting houses along the lagoon
- Lagoon wreck diving off Betio
- Roadside kiosks and fresh reef fish
- Seabirds over the lagoon flats
Getting there
- Airports:
- TRW
- Seaport:
- Reachable by ship or ferry