McKean Island Sanctuary

McKean Island Sanctuary is a remote coral atoll located in the Phoenix Islands and is a critical component of the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA), a UNESCO World Heritage site. This uninhabited island features a shallow central lagoon that often dries out during low tide, surrounded by resilient coral reefs. Its global conservation significance lies in its role as one of the world's premier nesting grounds for Great Frigatebirds. Thousands of these seabirds, alongside sooty terns and petrels, congregate here annually to breed in the low-lying scrub vegetation. Because there are no permanent human residents or invasive predators, the island remains a pristine sanctuary for avian life. The surrounding waters are equally animated, boasting exceptionally healthy coral structures and a high density of reef fish, sharks, and sea turtles. Access to McKean is strictly controlled to preserve its delicate ecological balance, making it a vital reference site for scientists studying marine biodiversity and the impacts of global climate change in an undisturbed Pacific environment.

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

Nikumaroro Atoll

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

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.

Manra Rim

Manra is a nearly closed atoll in the Phoenix Islands.

Manra Island

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

Arorae Navigational Stones

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

🗺️

Beru Traditional Maneaba

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

🗺️

Te Animane Maneaba

One of the largest and most historically significant traditional meeting houses located on Tabiteuea North.

Nature

🗺️

McKean Island

McKean is a small, uninhabited coral island in the Phoenix group, serving as a major avian sanctuary for thousands of seabirds.

Nikumaroro Island Park

Nikumaroro is a remote atoll with a deep central lagoon and lush vegetation.

Nikumaroro

Nikumaroro is a remote atoll in the Phoenix Islands, famous for its giant coconut crabs and pristine coral reefs.

Phoenix Islands Protected Area

This vast marine protected area encompasses eight atolls and two submerged reefs.

Orona Atoll Reserve

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

🗺️

Kanton Atoll Lagoon

Kanton's lagoon is the largest in the Phoenix archipelago and hosts exceptional marine biodiversity.

Birnie Island Bird Sanctuary

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

Birnie Bird Reserve

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

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.