Kiribati
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Revision as of 10:48, 19 September 2008
Kiribati - Line Islands, Cruising Guide
An online cruising guide for sailing around Kiribati and the Line Islands.
| Kiribati | |
 Kiribati | |
 Flag | |
| Capital: | South Tarawa |
|---|---|
| Language: | English, Gilbertese |
| Currency: | Kiribati dollar, Australian dollar (AUD) |
| More notes about the country | |
History
Kiribati (pronounced Kiri-bass) is an island group in Micronesia straddling the equator and, until 1995, the International Date Line. Kiribati's 33 atolls, with a total area of only 811 km², are scattered over an area of 3.5 million km². Kiribati saw some of the worst fighting of the Pacific theatre during the Second World War, including the infamous Battle of Tarawa in November 1943.
Kiribati is most emphatically not another Tahiti, Hawaii, etc. where you can go to relax and have nothing to worry about. It has few visitors, and they have to be prepared to "rough it." That said, there aren't many countries where the people are more friendly.
South Tarawa is one of the most densely populated, severely poverty-stricken places in the world. Other islands have far fewer people, but getting to them can be difficult, and conditions are even more primitive. Most tourists, especially from the USA, go to Kiritimati (Christmas Island). It received some attention on January 1, 2000 as the first location in the world to experience the new millennium. Conditions there are somewhat better than in the rest of Kiribati.
The Line Islands
The Line Islands were uninhabited when discovered but the remains of ruined temples and other structures indicated that Malden island had at one time been inhabited. Artifacts have also been discovered that indicate that most of the islands were visited by polynesian seafarers and some of the others may also have had settlements at various times. Polynesian traders and settlers would have found the islands useful replenishing stations on the long voyages from the Hawaian group to and from the islands occupied by Polynesian society in the southern Pacific between about 400 AD. and 1000 AD when long-distance voyaging became less frequent.
The United States claimed most of the islands under the Guano Islands Act of 1856, however Guano was never mined or exported to any notable extent. The Islands were occupied by Captain John English and people from Manihiki in about 1860 this led to their anexation by the British in 1889 to become a part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands colony in 1916. When Kiribati gained independence in 1979 the Kiribati Island Council took over the administration of the Line Islands within their territory.
Climate & Weather
Whoever coined the phrase, It's not the heat, it's the humidity may have had Kiribati in mind. Actually, the average high temperatures are quite reasonable compared to other well-known places in the tropics, but the humidity more than makes up for this, making it feel very sauna-like. The wet season varies, but is usually December to March, give or take a month. Severe drought also occurs at times.
In the vicinity of the Line Islands, with the exception of the area around Palmyra Atoll, the weather is generally excellent for navigation with prevailing winds are from E varying from NE November to May to SE from June to October. Average velocities are about 10 knots, with occasional gusts up to 40 knots. Gale force winds average less than 3/4 days per year. Rainfall patterns vary greatly from year to year averaging about 200mm, with the Rainy season and occasional squalls between March and June from the N or S. North, NW, and W and the dry season from August to November. There is no fog
Palmyra Atoll has unfavorable weather due to a tropical front that hovers in the vicinity of the island this is caused by the meeting of the Northeast Trades and the Southeast Trades. It is the only island in its latitude where fresh Westerly winds occur. The Northeast Trades prevail, with an average velocity of 10 to12 knots. There are frequent squalls of short duration and occasional winds up to 22 knots, but typhoons are infrequent. Rainfall is heavy and humidity high, ranging from 2,500 to 4,500mm annually. Rain occurs almost daily; heavy squalls come up suddenly from the SW, but severe storms are rare.
Sources of weather forecasting info:
Charts
Submit details of the charts required for safe navigation of the area.
US General Area Charts No’s: 504, 505, 506, 525, 526, 541, 604, 605, 76030, 83500,
- Gilbert Islands
US 81012 US 83005
- Pheonix Islands
US 83010 US 83037
- Line Islands
US 83015 - North Line Islands & Jarvis
US 83158 - Tabuaerean (Fanning Island)
US 83130 Kiritimati (Christmas Island)
US 83153 Kingdom Reef
US 83116 - Jarvis Island
Fr 7368 - Central Line Islands
GB 4654 – Southern Line Islands
The Line Island group should be navigated with care, as the islands are low, flat, and surrounded by strong, variable currents. The northern section of this group lies in or near the boundary of the Equatorial Countercurrent. Correspondingly, Kingman Reef experiences an Easterly set, while the sets around Palmyra Atoll are strong and variable. The rest of the group lies within the Westerly setting South Equatorial Current. Within 200 miles of Kiritimati, the current has been reported to have rates of 2.5 to 3 knots. In the vicinity of Malden Island and Starbuck Island, the general set is West; however, East sets have also been experienced with rates that exceed 1 knot.
Local Radio Nets
Also see World Cruiser's Nets
Arrival/Departure procedures
The authorities insist that the first port of call (for clearance) in the archipelago must be at Tarawa (Betio Isle).
Immigration
Nationals and citizens of the following countries are exempted from obtaining a visa before entering Kiribati where the intended duration of their stay is 30 days or less: Belize, Federated States of Micronesia, Macao (only in respect of holders of Macao Special Adminisirative Region Passports), Marshall Islands, Palau, Republic of China (Taiwan), Republic of (South) Korea.
Nationals and citizens of the following countries specified are exempted from obtaining a visa before entering Kiribati:
Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Cook Islands, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Grenada, Greece, Hong Kong (only in respect of holders of British Nationals Overseas passports and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports), Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Latvia, Lesotho, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niue, Poland, Portugal, Romania, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Bahamas, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Tuvalu, United Kingdom, United Kingdom Overseas Territories of (Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Montserrat and Turks and Caicos Islands), United States of America, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Customs
Details?
Health
- Don't drink the water without boiling or filtering. Chemical treatment is not recommended as it may not prevent giardiasis. The lagoon (especially around Beito) is heavily contaminated, and may make the entire island segment smell bad at times. Always ask first before going out in the water at each location on South Tarawa -- no matter how inviting it looks. This is a good idea on other islands too.
- Get a hepatitis A shot, and be up-to-date on all your other vaccinations, preferably several weeks beforehand.
- Mosquitos can be very bad at times, so use repellent. Be sure to bring your own insect repellent and sunscreen, as these are not available locally.
- There's no malaria, but dengue fever outbreaks (mosquito transmitted) do sometimes occur.
- The fish caught locally may give you food poisoning (ciguatera), so be extra careful. Ciguatera is not preventable by cooking or freezing the fish.
- Promptly treat even the smallest cut, sore, or insect bite, as these can become infected very easily.
- Don't expect any needed medications to be available. (Some are, but you never know what is or when.)
Security
Kiribati is generally a safe place to travel. However, it may be risky to be outside after dark in Beito or along the beach in South Tarawa, especially for single females. However, virtually all problems are caused by drunk males, not career criminals.
Ports and Popular Stops
- Tarawa (Port of entry)
- Kiritimati (Christmas Island) (Port of entry)
- Tabuaerean (Fanning Island) (Port of entry)
- Banaba (Port of entry)
Islands
Kiribati consists of about 32 atolls and one island (Banaba), with at least three in each hemisphere. The groups of islands are:
- Banaba: an isolated island between Nauru and the Gilbert Islands
- Gilbert Islands: 16 atolls located some 930 miles (1,500 km) north of Fiji
- Phoenix Islands: 8 atolls and coral islands located some 1,100 miles (1,800 km) southeast of the Gilberts
- Line Islands: 8 atolls and one reef, located about 2,050 miles (3,300 km) east of the Gilberts
| Atoll/Island/Reef | Island Area - km² | Lagoon - km² | Coordinates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Northern Line Islands (Fanning's Group) | ||||
| Kingman Reef | 0.03 | 60 | 6°24′N, 162°24′W | United States unincorporated territory |
| Palmyra Atoll | 6.56 | 15 | 5°52′N, 162°6′W | United States incorporated territory |
| Teraina (Washington Island) | 14.2 | 2 | 4°43′N, 160°24′W | Kiribati Island Council |
| Tabuaerean (Fanning Island) | 33.7 | 110 | 3°52′N, 159°22′W | Kiribati Island Council |
| Kiritimati (Christmas Island) | c.322 | c.320 | 1°53′N, 157°24′W | Kiribati Island Council |
|
Central Line Islands | ||||
| Jarvis Island | 4.45 | - | 0°22′S, 160°03′W | United States unincorporated territory |
| Malden Island | 39.3 | 13 | 4°01′S, 154°59′W | part of Kiribati |
| Filippo Reef | - | 1.5 | 5°30′S, 151°50′W | outside (EEZ) |
| Starbuck Island | 21 | 25 | 5°37′S, 155°56′W | part of Kiribati |
|
Southern Line Islands | ||||
| Caroline Island | 3.76 | 2.5 | 9°57′S, 150°13′W | part of Kiribati |
| Vostok Island | 0.24 | - | 10°06′S, 152°25′W | part of Kiribati |
| Flint Island | 3 | - | 11°26′S, 151°48′W | part of Kiribati |
| Line Islands | 514,74 | 538 | ||
Cruiser's Friends
Submit details/contacts of cruiser's "friends" that can be contacted in advance or on arrival - who can offer information and assistance to our cruising "family".
References & Publications
Books, Guides, etc.
- Sailing Directions (Enroute)- Pub 126 Pacific Islands (Seventh Editon 2005).
Prepared and published by the NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL-INTELLIGENCE AGENCY Bethesda, Maryland
Links to CruiserLog Forum discussions
Links to discussions on the CruiserLog Forum
External Links
Submit useful website links for the region
Personal Notes
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