Manra Rim

Manra, formerly known as Sydney Island, is a distinctive atoll in the Phoenix Islands group of Kiribati. Its most striking feature is a raised coral rim that completely encloses a central lagoon, cutting it off from the surrounding ocean. This isolation has caused the lagoon water to become hypersaline, supporting a unique microbial ecosystem while preventing most fish species from surviving within its interior. The land rim is covered with scrub forest and coconut palms, providing a critical nesting habitat for vast colonies of migratory sea birds. While the island saw brief attempts at settlement in the mid-20th century, the lack of sustainable freshwater sources eventually led to its abandonment. Today, Manra is an uninhabited part of the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA), a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its surrounding coral reefs are among the most pristine in the world, offering an invaluable sanctuary for marine biodiversity far from human interference.

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.

Bonriki

Bonriki is the easternmost village of South Tarawa and site of the international airport.

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.

History & landmarks

Manra Island

Manra Island is a circular atoll in the Phoenix group, featuring a hypersaline lagoon that is completely cut off from the sea.

Orona Island

Orona Island, also known as Hull Island, is a large atoll with a shallow lagoon and numerous passes that allow constant water exchange.

Kanton Island

Kanton is the only inhabited atoll in the Phoenix Islands, boasting a massive and nearly completely enclosed lagoon.

Nikumaroro Atoll

This elongated coral atoll has a distinct reef rim and a central lagoon.

Arorae Navigational Stones

A series of historical stones (Te Kanawa) used by early inhabitants for celestial and maritime navigation between islands.

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Beru Traditional Maneaba

A historical meeting house on Beru Island, considered the spiritual and political center of Kiribati culture.

Nature

Manra Island Sanctuary

Manra is a nearly circular atoll with a saline lagoon that has no connection to the sea.

Birnie Bird Reserve

This reserve on Birnie Island provides a critical habitat for endangered seabirds in the central Pacific Ocean.

Birnie Island

Birnie Island is a very small, uninhabited atoll in the Phoenix Islands, almost entirely dominated by seabird populations.

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Rawaki Island

Rawaki Island, formerly known as Phoenix Island, is an uninhabited nature paradise with a shallow lagoon and thousands of seabirds.

Rawaki Island Nature Reserve

Rawaki, formerly known as Phoenix Island, is an important nesting site for up to 15 different seabird species.

Birnie Island Bird Sanctuary

Birnie is a very small, dry island almost entirely covered by low scrub.

Orona Atoll Reserve

Orona, also known as Hull Island, features a shallow lagoon connected to the ocean by numerous channels.

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Enderbury Island Nature Reserve

Enderbury is a small coral island without a lagoon, serving as a critical breeding area for green sea turtles.

More places

Nikumaroro Settlement Ruins

Ruins of a short-lived 1930s settlement, famous for being a focus of searches for the missing aviator Amelia Earhart.