Plizio Visual Lab
Rawannawi
ℹ️Practical info — Rawannawi
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Visitors to Marakei are traditionally expected to travel counter-clockwise to visit the island's four shrines.
- Respect local dress codes by ensuring your shoulders and knees are covered in the village.
- Transportation is mainly by truck or walking; ask around the village for a ride.
- Bring sufficient cash with you, as ATMs are completely non-existent on the island.
🍽 Food
A starchy root vegetable often prepared for special occasions in the village maneaba.
Known locally as 'karewe', this sap from coconut blossoms is a refreshing daily drink.
Caught locally and often roasted over an open fire. Usually served with rice or breadfruit.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Inquire with local weavers; they create incredibly detailed and durable mats.
Small shell ornaments and fans can sometimes be purchased directly from households.
Walk to the ocean-facing side of the village to enjoy the sound of crashing waves in isolation.
When not in use for meetings, the large traditional hall area is peaceful and provides shade.
Water temperature…
Rawannawi serves as the animated hub of the Marakei atoll and perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Kiribati hospitality. As the largest settlement on the atoll, the village is home to impressive maneabas, traditional meeting houses that stand as the social and political heart of the community. Marakei is renowned for its unique geography as a nearly closed ring atoll, and Rawannawi is strategically positioned to overlook the serene inner lagoon. Visitors are often introduced to the 'Te Katabwanin' tradition, a ceremonial journey around the atoll that involves making offerings at four sacred shrines. Daily life in Rawannawi is simple and deeply connected to the sea and the cultivation of coconuts for copra. The residents maintain their ancient legends and customs with great pride, making it one of the most authentic cultural destinations in the Pacific. The lack of modern stressors and the genuine warmth of the local people make Rawannawi a profound place to experience a traditional way of life.
- Location: Kiribati
- Top sights: Marakei Catholic Church · Mormon Maneaba
- Nearby: Marakei Atoll (4 km)
- Population: ~878
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Sep–Nov.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
| Rain mm | 211 | 164 | 234 | 185 | 121 | 152 | 132 | 117 | 98 | 99 | 103 | 215 |
Geography
Facts
- Population: 1,200 (2020)
- Marakei area: 13.5 km²
- Copra production: 80 tons/year
- Number of schools: 1
- Highest point: 3 m
- Distance to Tarawa: 200 km
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Rawannawi (2)
Frequently asked questions
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