Bonriki

Bonriki is a vital settlement located at the easternmost edge of South Tarawa, Kiribati. Its significance to the nation is paramount, as it hosts the Bonriki International Airport, the primary gateway connecting this remote Pacific nation to the rest of the world. Beyond its logistical role, Bonriki sits atop one of the largest freshwater lenses in the atoll, providing a critical source of drinking water for the densely populated areas of South Tarawa. This freshwater reserve is strictly managed to prevent pollution, shaping the village's development and land use. With a population exceeding 3,000 residents, the village is connected to the capital and neighboring islets via a series of causeways. The environment is characterized by lush groves of coconut palms, pandanus, and breadfruit trees, set against the backdrop of the vast Pacific Ocean. Bonriki represents a unique blend of modern infrastructure and traditional atoll living, where the rhythm of international flights coexists with subsistence fishing and the communal lifestyle of the I-Kiribati people.

Nearby cities

Betio

Betio is the economic center of Kiribati, located in the southwest of Tarawa Atoll.

Bikenibeu

Bikenibeu is a significant settlement in the southeast of South Tarawa.

Teaoraereke

Teaoraereke is a populous village in South Tarawa.

Temwaiku

Temwaiku is a rapidly growing settlement at the eastern end of South Tarawa.

Eita

Eita is a village located in the center of South Tarawa.

South Tarawa

South Tarawa is the capital and most populous area of the Republic of Kiribati.

Bairiki

Bairiki is the administrative center of South Tarawa.

Bairiki Business District

Bairiki serves as the economic and administrative center of South Tarawa, housing the country's main banks and government offices.

Tabwakea

Tabwakea is the largest settlement on Kiritimati, the world's largest coral island.

Banana

Banana is a village on Kiritimati island located right next to the Cassidy International Airport.

Marakei Atoll

Marakei is a unique, circular atoll famous for its closed lagoon and the 'Te Kabaia' welcoming rituals at four sacred shrines.

Rawannawi

Rawannawi is the largest settlement on the Marakei atoll.

Abemama Atoll

Abemama is a historically significant atoll where the British protectorate was declared in 1892 and author Robert Louis Stevenson once li…

Poland

Poland is a small village on the Kiritimati atoll.

Abaiang Atoll

Abaiang is a serene atoll known for its vibrant traditional culture and the historic Catholic church in Koinawa.

History & landmarks

Bonriki Airport Terminal

The terminal of Bonriki International Airport is the main gateway to Kiribati.

Bonriki Plateau

The Bonriki area on Tarawa comprises one of the widest landmasses of the atoll.

Maneaba ni Maungatabu

The Parliament Building of Kiribati is located in Ambo on South Tarawa.

Bairiki Independence Site

The central square in Bairiki where the independence of Kiribati from the United Kingdom was officially proclaimed in 1979.

Bairiki National Stadium

The stadium in Bairiki is the largest sporting venue in Kiribati.

Betio Islet

Betio is a flat islet at the western end of Tarawa Atoll.

Nature

🗺️

Tarawa Lagoon

Tarawa Lagoon is the centerpiece of Kiribati's main atoll.

🗺️

Abaokoro Wetlands

The Abaokoro area in North Tarawa encompasses valuable wetlands crucial for the biodiversity of the Gilbert Islands.

Abaiang Lagoon

Abaiang Lagoon is an expansive, tranquil body of water in the northern Gilbert Islands, fringed by beautiful motus and coral reefs.

More places

Bonriki Solar Farm

This photovoltaic facility near the airport is a cornerstone of Kiribati's efforts to reduce dependence on expensive diesel imports.

National Library and Archives

The National Library of Kiribati is located in Bairiki on South Tarawa.

Kiribati Fish Limited Facility

This modern industrial facility in Betio processes tuna for export and is a major joint venture to increase local value addition.

🗺️

Betio Shipyard

The shipyard in South Tarawa is the central facility for the maintenance and repair of the national commercial and fishing fleet.

🗺️

U.S. Marine Memorial

This memorial honors the soldiers of the U.S.

Betio Port

The primary international seaport of Kiribati in South Tarawa handles the vast majority of the island nation's import goods and containers.

Red Beach Tarawa

The primary landing site for US Marines during Operation Galvanic in 1943, one of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific theater.

Australian War Memorial

This memorial on Betio honors the Australian coastwatchers who were executed during World War II.