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Area
Map
Kiribati Map
Christmas Island - Where the canoe
is still the main mode of transportation
Christmas
Island is in the Central Pacific where life is relaxed and laid-back.
The local people are friendly and helpful, and are sure to greet
you with smiles and hellos as you walk through town. The local
language is I-Kiribati, but most of the Gilbertese locals speak
English.
Christmas Island is located about 1300 miles south of Hawaii.
That's only about a 3-hour flight, but Kiribati bends the dateline
to keep all its islands on the same side, so you will arrive
a full day later. One of the Line Islands, Christmas is the
world's largest coral atoll, a full 45 miles long and between
7 and 25 miles wide, although lagoons make up nearly 2/3 of
that area. The island was named after the day in 1777 when Captain
James Cook first happened upon it, but it remained uninhabited
until the 1950s, when the British chose it as the site for their
nuclear weapons development project and induced a small Micronesian
work force from the Gilbert Islands to relocate there. Once
they'd detonated their H-bomb nearby, however, the British pulled
out, leaving behind a few Micronesians and a great deal of debris.
Today the island's 4400 residents are citizens of the Republic
of Kiribati (pronounced cure-a-BOS).
All year round, daytime highs are in the mid-80's with moderate
humidity, while evening lows are typically 72 degrees with a
light breeze. Bonefishing, offshore fishing and diving is available
year-round on Christmas Island due to the remarkably stable
weather. Water temperature ranges from 77-82 degrees year round.
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Dive
Services
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Adventure
Dive & Fishing Lodge
Ronton village,
Christmas Island
Kiribati
Tel. 686 81364
Fax. 686 81246
ote@tskl.net.ki or ote_tek@yahoo.com
http://www.pacifictravelweb.com
A resort established for eco-tourists who wish to truly experience
the underwater and flyfishing riches of the largest coral island
in the world. |
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Christmas Island Diver's Association
Dive and Sport Resort
London, Christmas Island
Republic of Kiribati
U.S. Booking office:
3153 Harding Avenue
Honolulu, Hawaii 96816
Main number: (808) 351-4374
Secondary: (808) 735-5001
Email: Robert@cidiving.com
Web: www.christmasislanddiversassociation.com
Kiribati's only diving resort with certified PADI dive professionals
and cheap accomodations. Our resort that offers diving, fishing,
and standard accomodations. |
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Getting
There
The most convenient way to get to Kiribati is by air with frequent
scheduled services now available from Nadi, Fiji, Majuro, Marshall
Islands, Honolulu, Hawaii, Sydney, Brisbane and Nauru.
Airports
International airports - Tarawa (Bonriki) (TRW) lies 11km (7 miles)
northeast of Bikenibeu. Buses operate every three to four minutes
from the airport to the capital. Other airports include Christmas
Island (CXI).
International Flights
Air
Marshall Islands connects Kiribati to Majuro, Marshall islands
and Air
Nauru connects Tarawa to Brisbane, Melbourne, Pohnpei, Guam
and Manila via Nauru; and Nadi, Fiji direct. Christmas Island
is only accessible from Honolulu. There is a flight to Christmas
Island which is serviced by Air Pacific Airlines. The flight leaves
every Tuesday from Honolulu at 12:00 noon and arrives in Christmas
Island at about 3:30. The plane is a 737 accommodating 120 passengers.
Kiribati
Immigration will charge $25 US to enter the country and $20 Aus
to leave.
Domestic Flights
The national airline of Kiribati, Air
Kiribati provides Trislander, Y12 and Casa inter-island plane
connection several times a week to most of the islands. Charter
flights can also be arranged.
By Sea
International ports are Banaba, Christmas Island and Tarawa. Kiribati
is served by Norwegian Cruise Lines, which call at Fanning Island
Entry Requirements
All visitors to Kiribati must be in possession of a valid passport
and onward ticket and must have proof of sufficient funds to support
themselves while staying in the country. Visa is required except
for Nationals of Kiribati and of the following countries coming
for a stay max. 28 days: Antigua, Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados,
Botswana, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Fiji, Grenada, Guyana, Iceland,
India, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Malta,
New Zealand, Norway, Samoa (Western), San Marina, Seychelles,
Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Spain, St Keitt-Nevis,
St. Lucia, Sweden, Switzerland, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia,
Tuvalu, United Kingdom (not Northern Ireland), Uruguay, Vanuatu,
and Zimbabwe. Holders of passports of the following Commonwealth
territories, coming for a stay of maximum 28 days: Bermuda, British,
Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cook Islands, Falkland Islands,
Gilbralta, Hong Kong, Moniserrat, Niue, Turks, and Caicos. For
a stay of maximum 20 days holders of passports issued by the Authorities
of American Samoa, Guam, Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands,
Nationals of Ecuador (max. stay of 20 days), Korea Rep. (South)
(max. stay 30 days) Phillippines (max. stay 21 days). Those continuing
their onward journey to a third country provided holding documents
and tickets with confirmed onward/return reservations to abroad
and do not leave the airport. A fee of AUD$40 for single visa
and AUD$70 for a multiple visa is applicable for the issuing of
the visa.
Those on prepared package tour may obtain their visa from Immigration
Authorities on arrival. Visitors may upon arrival apply for a
visitor's permit entitling them to a stay for a maximum 4 months
in any period of 12 months, provided they hold: 1. a visa (if
required) 2. Tickets for return or onward travel or sufficient
funds to purchase them 3. Adequate funds for self-maintenance
during stay.
Travel
Tips
Rental Cars
Overseas driving licenses and international driving permits are
recognized in Kiribati for a maximum period of two weeks after
arrival. Persons hiring a rental car should be at least 17 years
old.
Electricity
240 volts AC, 50Hz.
Communications
The Government provides radio and postal services to all inhabited
islands.
Telephone
Country code: 686. Outgoing international code: 0. Most international
calls from Kiribati have to go through the operator. IDD is available
throughout urban Tarawa. Radio telephone calls can be arranged
to most outer islands.
Mobile telephone
GSM 900 network in use. Network provider is Telecom Services Kiribati
Ltd (website: www.tskl.net.ki).
Fax
This is available at the local Telecoms Office.
Telegram
Available in Betio Mon-Fri 0800-1900 and on outer islands Mon-Fri
0800-1600. Telegrams may take several days to reach Europe.
Internet
ISPs include VPM Internet Services. There are currently no Internet
cafes in Kiribati.
Postal Services
Airmail to Western Europe takes up to two weeks. There is a weekly
postal service for overseas mail. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1500.
Press
The weekly papers are Kiribati Newstar and Te Uekera, published
in English and Kiribati. Kiribati Business Link is published in
English.
Radio
BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice
of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to
time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found
online.
Activities
Most resorts offer canoeing, fishing and snorkelling facilities.
Scuba divers are advised to bring their own equipment. Birdwatching
is popular, especially on Christmas Island where millions of birds
are found. Game fishing on Christmas Island is also popular. A
fishing license is not necessary and charters are easily available.
For swimming, numerous beaches offer safe bathing. Golf can also
be played on Ambo Island (part of Tarawa) where the green of the
golf course is actually rolled sand. However, swimming in south
Tarawa Lagoon is not advisable due to the extent of its pollution,
and extreme caution is recommended on oceanside reefs. |
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