Kiritimati Island

Overview

Introduction

Kiritimati is the I-Kiribati word for Christmas. The island got its original name from Captain James Cook, who sighted the island on 24 December 1777. Kiritimati is an enormous atoll: It contains about half the land area of the entire country and offers a bit more to do than most of the islands. There are truck and fishing-boat rentals, as well as dive operators, excellent big-game fishing and interesting bird sanctuaries. Anglers prone to seasickness can take heart: Kiritimati is home to some great saltwater fly-fishing, especially bone-fishing, and most fishing grounds are just a short wade from shore. Bring your surfboard too—the waves are awesome. Although there's enough to see to justify a three-night stay, the limited air service may require a longer visit. 2,000 mi/3,200 km east of Tarawa.

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