About
Kiritimati Island (pronounced Christmas Island) the world’s largest coral atoll is main hub for the Line Islands group of the Republic of Kiribati situated within the northern Line Islands group of Kiribati 232 km (144 mi) north of the Equator and 2,160 km (1,340 mi) south of the Hawaiian Islands. The atoll was discovered by Captain James Cook on the eve of the 24th December 1777 during his third Pacific voyage who named it “Christmas Island”
Being the greatest land area of any coral atoll in the world, Kiritimati has land area is of 388 square kilometers (150 square miles); its lagoon is roughly the same size. It also accounts for than 70% of the total land area of the Kiribati islands combined. The island is generally low-lying and flat, seldom rising to more than 3 or 4 meters over sea level.
Kiritimati Island is on a time zone of UTC+14 that is 20 hours ahead of Honolulu on the other side of the International Date Line and 2 hours ahead of the capital Tarawa the administrative center in the Gilbert Islands Group. During the post war of WWII, Kiritimati was occupied by British and American U.S Allied forces, and was a testing ground for nuclear and hydrogen bombs.
Today Kiritimati Island is a popular international tourism destination for world class salt water fly fishing. Birdwatching, diving, surfing and lagoon tours are also popular recreational activities for travellers visiting the atoll.
Being the greatest land area of any coral atoll in the world, Kiritimati has land area is of 388 square kilometers (150 square miles); its lagoon is roughly the same size. It also accounts for than 70% of the total land area of the Kiribati islands combined. The island is generally low-lying and flat, seldom rising to more than 3 or 4 meters over sea level.
Kiritimati Island is on a time zone of UTC+14 that is 20 hours ahead of Honolulu on the other side of the International Date Line and 2 hours ahead of the capital Tarawa the administrative center in the Gilbert Islands Group. During the post war of WWII, Kiritimati was occupied by British and American U.S Allied forces, and was a testing ground for nuclear and hydrogen bombs.
Today Kiritimati Island is a popular international tourism destination for world class salt water fly fishing. Birdwatching, diving, surfing and lagoon tours are also popular recreational activities for travellers visiting the atoll.
What's Unique About Kiritimati Island?
- It is the World’s largest coral atoll
- It is a world class premier salt-water fly fishing destination in the South Pacific where the fishing is all year round; known for bone fishing and GT fishing
- The island is a Sanctuary for 26 species of birds (tropic and land birds) and home to the endemic bird the “Christmas Island Warbler” locally known as the “Bokikokiko.”
- It is the site of the Millennium Monument, which internationally declares Millennium Island (formerly known as Caroline Island) and Kiribati as the first country to see the dawn of the new Millennium in the year 2000
Getting to Kiritimati Island
International Flights – Kirimati Island
Kiritimati Island is the main international airport hub in the Northern Line Islands with Fiji Airways providing air service out of Nadi, Fiji and Honolulu, Hawaii. Flights are around Tuesday midnight out of Nadi; arriving in Kiritimati on a Wednesday morning and continuing on to Honolulu (Hawaii) and then back again to Kiritimati arriving Wednesday afternoons and continues back to Nadi, Fiji. The flight durations are around 3 hours.
For Fiji Airways Kiritimati Island flight information visit their website: www.fijiairways.com
Where to Stay on Kiritimati Island?
Accommodation
There are number of accommodation options on Kiritimati Island International star rating classification do not apply in Kiribati, however as a guide, a few properties on Kiritimati may pass as 2 star hotels. The hotels however make up for lack in western luxury with plenty of fresh seafood on their menu.
For our Kiritimati Island accommodation listing, please click on
For our Kiritimati Island accommodation listing, please click on
Download a free copy of the Kiritimati Island – Travel Guide here.