Teraina

Teraina, frequently referred to as Washington Island, stands as a remarkable anomaly among the coral atolls of the Pacific Ocean. Its most striking feature is the presence of a vast freshwater lagoon, Lake Washington, situated in the heart of the island. Unlike typical atolls that enclose a saltwater lagoon, Teraina's high annual rainfall has created a self-sustaining freshwater ecosystem over millennia. The lake is fringed by extensive peat bogs and lush tropical marshlands, which are unique to the Line Islands and host a variety of specialized flora. This abundance of fresh water supports an animated biodiversity, including the endangered Rimitara lorikeet. The island's remote location has kept its natural beauty largely undisturbed by modern development, preserving a prehistoric-looking landscape of towering palms and dense undergrowth. Exploring the interior reveals a serene environment where the sounds of the ocean are replaced by the rustle of tropical leaves, making it a vital sanctuary for Pacific wildlife.

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

Fanning Coral Gardens

The coral gardens of Fanning Island (Tabuaeran) host some of the most spectacular and well-preserved reef structures in the Line Islands.

Tabuaeran

Tabuaeran, also known as Fanning Island, possesses one of the most beautiful and well-protected lagoons in the Central Pacific.

Captain Cook's Landing Site

The historical spot on Kiritimati where James Cook landed on Christmas Eve 1777 and named the island Christmas Island.

London Settlement

London is the primary settlement on Kiritimati Atoll and a key administrative center.

Cassidy International Airport

This airport on Kiritimati serves as the logistical gateway for tourism and freight transport for Kiribati's eastern island groups.

Kiritimati

Kiritimati is the world's largest coral atoll by land area.

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Aeon Point

This point marks a distinct coastal section in the east of Kiritimati.

Nature

Kiritimati Bird Sanctuary

Also known as Christmas Island, Kiritimati hosts one of the world's most significant breeding grounds for seabirds.

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Joe's Hill

Joe's Hill is the highest elevation on Kiritimati, the largest atoll in the world.

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Malden Island

Malden Island is an uninhabited atoll featuring mysterious prehistoric stone ruins and a vast number of nesting seabirds.

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Starbuck Island

Starbuck Island is a lonely, flat coral island known for its massive sooty tern colonies and dangerous surrounding reefs.

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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.

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Enderbury Island

Enderbury Island is a key nature reserve in the Phoenix Islands, famous as one of the most significant nesting sites for green sea turtles.

Rawaki Island Nature Reserve

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

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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.

More places

Tabuaeran Seaweed Farms

On Fanning Island, seaweed is cultivated on a large scale and exported as a raw material for the international cosmetic and food industries.

Tabuaeran Cable Station Ruins

Ruins of a critical early 20th-century telegraph station that was part of the All Red Line communication network.

London Wharf

The wharf in the settlement of London is the central hub for goods and passengers on Kiritimati, Kiribati's largest island.

Kiritimati Copra Plantation

The extensive coconut palm groves on Christmas Island are the primary source for copra production, a key export commodity of Kiribati.

St. Stanislaus Kostka Church

This church is located in the village of Poland on Kiritimati Island.

Poland Flats

This flat region in western Kiritimati is characterized by extensive salt pans and low vegetation.

Captain Cook's Monument

This monument on Kiritimati commemorates the landing of James Cook in 1777.