Kiritamati and Tabuaeran
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Positives
- Clean north and south swells
- Various quality spots
- Largest lagoon in the world
- Great diving and fishing
Negatives
- Difficult access to spots
- Inconsistent in summer
- Infrequent transport links
- Remoteness and high costs
Kiritamati and Tabuaeran surf travel guide
Most documented spots are on the planet’s largest atolls, Kiritimati (formerly Christmas Island) comprises over 70% of the total land area of Republic of Kiribati and Tabuaeran (aka Fanning Island) translates as 'heavenly footprint' as the island's shape suggests. Chuck Corbett's, aka Pacific Charlie, left the North Shore in 1979 in search of emptier line-ups and after 12 years around Tarawa, moved to Tabuaeran to surf English Harbor's freight trains. Both islands feature powerful, serious line-ups hold some epic waves for a small local crew.
Surf spots in Kiritamati and Tabuaeran
Research the 9 surf breaks in Kiritamati and Tabuaeran and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 9 breaks in Kiritamati and Tabuaeran.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Kiritamati and Tabuaeran
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Library
Helpful surf travel videos and articles featuring Kiritamati and Tabuaeran.
A Bend in the Reef — Chuck Corbett’s Kiribati Equation
- DiscoverEnvironmentHistoryTravelSurf
- By Mike Kew for http://michaelkew.com/
- 20+ minute read
Travel Information
General
- Current Time
- Tourists
- 7,100
- Population
- 119,449
- Tourist Info
- Tourist Info
Security
Health
Money
- Currency
- AUD
Cost of living
Communication
- Dialing in
- +686
- Dialing out
- 00
- Language
- English (official), I-Kiribati (Gilbertese)
Electricity
- Plug Type
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Visas
Citizens of the EU, UK, North America, OZ, NZ and Japan do not need a visa for stays of up to 120 days. If you are not from one of these countries check for the latest visa requirements.
Getting There
Kiritimati (CXI) is reached in 3.5hrs by weekly Air Pacific flight from Nadi, Fiji or Hawaii: $900 r/t. No flights to Tabuaeran. Fly Tarawa (TRW) with Air Nauru and get a WKK supply ferry cruising 4-5 times per year, costs $320 per cabin.
Getting Around
Tabuaeran is 165 Nautical miles northwest of Kiritimati or 36h sail and traffic is very low. Surfing on Kiritimati can be limited to a few spots if you can’t afford a boat; quite a few boats are used by divers/fly fishers. It’s 2.5 hours drive from London to Poland.
Accommodation
A handful of places in the $50-180 range. Captain Cook Hotel close to the airport have 24 rooms and bungalows. Mini Hotel is $30/60 single/dble. Meals are on a fixed cost of $40 a day. Both catholic and protestant parishes have basic rooms $30 a night. Christmas island surf offers all inclusive week long packages from $1200. Fanning island Surf has all in packages including local flights from $2350. Pegasus Lodges fly charters from Kiritimati to Tabuaeran for all inclusive surf and fishing tours (max 6 persons).
Activities
Internationally renowned for bone fishing and bird watchers are overwhelmed by thousands of migratory seabirds. Local dance is practised everywhere. Spectacular diving. Kiribati outrigger canoes, said to be the fastest in the Pacific are regularly raced in the lagoon. Second World War relics litter beaches in South Tarawa.
Hazards & hassles
Besides reef dangers like cuts and sharks swimming around, pay attention to hepatitis A, B, and C. Stir in dengue fever, lice, ciguatera, staph and staph-spreading flies.
Handy Hints
Chuck's Island Trader is for rent: Expect $2000/wk for 4pax. Trips would be 1 week for Kiritimati and 2 weeks for Tabuaeran. There is a divers association on Kiritimati. Strong Australian influence on Kiritimati means pay in AUD$. Kiribati bends the dateline to keep all its islands on the same side and is a full 24hrs ahead of Hawaii.
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.