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15 Most Breathtaking Instagrammable Places in Kiribati for 2025 (With Local Tips)

Discover the most Instagrammable places in Kiribati for 2025 with our insider's guide. From pristine beaches on Tarawa to hidden gems on Christmas Island, learn where to capture the perfect social media moments in this Pacific paradise.

Discovering Kiribati’s Hidden Instagram Gems

There’s something magical about Kiribati that camera lenses struggle to fully capture. I’ll never forget my first sunrise on North Tarawa—standing barefoot on powder-soft sand as the sky erupted into impossible shades of orange that seemed to set the entire Pacific ablaze. My hands were actually trembling as I tried to frame the shot, partly from the early morning chill, but mostly from the overwhelming beauty of this remote corner of Oceania that few travelers have experienced.

Since my first visit in 2018, I’ve returned to Kiribati four times, exploring everything from the bustling (by Kiribati standards) streets of South Tarawa to the far-flung atolls where time seems suspended. This island nation spanning 3.5 million square kilometers of ocean offers some of the most photogenic yet least photographed landscapes on Earth—pristine beaches without footprints, colorful cultural celebrations, and underwater worlds teeming with life.

Whether you’re a serious photographer or simply want to capture unforgettable moments for your Instagram feed, this guide covers the most stunning and unique photo opportunities across Kiribati’s 33 coral atolls. I’ve included practical information on reaching these spots, the best times to visit for optimal lighting, and cultural considerations to ensure respectful photography.

South Tarawa’s Cultural Hotspots

South Tarawa, home to Bonriki International Airport (TRW), serves as the gateway to Kiribati and offers several compelling photo opportunities that showcase both traditional culture and daily life.

Bairiki Square

At the heart of what locals call the capital (though technically Kiribati has no official capital city), Bairiki Square provides a fascinating glimpse into local life. The contrast between the Parliament building and traditional meeting houses creates interesting compositional opportunities.

Best time for photos: Early morning (6-8am) when locals are setting up market stalls, or around 5pm when the golden light bathes the square.

Insider tip: Visit on Thursday afternoons when civil servants finish work early, and the square fills with impromptu dance performances and food vendors. The te buki (traditional dance) provides stunning motion shots that capture Kiribati culture.

Catholic Maneaba in Teaoraereke

The largest traditional meeting house in South Tarawa features intricate thatched roofing and represents the heart of community gatherings. The massive structure is built without any nails, using traditional binding techniques.

Photography tip: Ask permission before entering (a small donation of $2-3 AUD is appreciated), and shoot from the corner angles to capture the impressive scale and craftsmanship. The warm tones of the natural materials photograph beautifully in late afternoon light.

Ambo Conservation Area

This lesser-known protected area offers a glimpse of Kiribati’s fragile ecosystem and traditional resource management. The mangrove boardwalk creates perfect leading lines for your compositions.

I stumbled upon this spot during my second visit when escaping the midday heat and ended up spending three hours photographing the interplay of sunlight through the mangrove canopy. The way the roots twist into the clear water below creates fascinating reflections that change throughout the day.

Money-saving tip: While tour operators charge around $50 AUD for guided visits, you can easily reach Ambo by local bus for just $1.50 AUD and explore independently. Just bring mosquito repellent—I learned this lesson the hard way!

North Tarawa’s Pristine Beaches and Village Life

Just a short boat ride from South Tarawa lies a different world—one of uncrowded beaches, traditional villages, and the authentic I-Kiribati way of life. This area offers some of my favorite photography spots in all of Kiribati.

Abatao Bridge

The narrow causeway connecting North and South Tarawa creates a stunning visual with water on both sides. During high tide, the illusion of a narrow path disappearing into the vast ocean makes for dramatic photos.

Best angle: Stand at the South Tarawa end of the bridge and shoot northward during sunset for a silhouette effect against the colored sky. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch local fishermen crossing with their day’s catch.

Buariki Village

At the northernmost tip of Tarawa, this traditional village offers quintessential atoll photography. Thatch-roofed homes, outrigger canoes, and children playing in crystal clear waters create postcard-perfect scenes.

When I stayed with a local family here in 2019, I woke at dawn to find an elderly woman weaving a traditional mat under a pandanus tree. With her permission, I photographed her weathered hands working the fibers—that image ended up being my most-liked Kiribati post ever, capturing the deep connection between people and tradition.

“Ko na mauri!” (Hello, may you have life/health!) is the standard greeting in Kiribati. Learning this phrase and a few others like “ti a bo” (goodbye) will help break the ice when asking to take photos of locals.

Sustainability tip: Instead of buying bottled water (which is both expensive and creates waste), I bring a water purifier like the LifeStraw. This saves around $8-10 AUD per day while reducing plastic waste on islands with limited disposal options.

Abaiang Atoll: The Perfect Day Trip

Just north of Tarawa, Abaiang Atoll offers even more untouched scenery and some of my favorite photo opportunities in Kiribati.

St. Joseph’s College

This historic school founded in 1939 features colonial architecture against a backdrop of swaying palms. The weathered buildings tell a story of education in the Pacific that spans generations.

Photography note: The contrast between the white colonial structure and the intense blue sky creates striking images. Use a polarizing filter if you have one to enhance this effect.

Teirio Beach

Without exaggeration, this might be the most photogenic beach in all of Kiribati. The curve of impossibly white sand against turquoise water, with hardly another soul in sight, feels like stepping into a desktop wallpaper.

I spent an entire afternoon here tracking the shadows of palm trees as they created ever-changing patterns on the sand. The beach extends for nearly two kilometers, so you’ll have plenty of space to find your perfect composition.

Insider money-saving tip: Rather than booking a tour from Tarawa (around $150 AUD), take the local ferry for $15 AUD round trip. It’s less comfortable and takes longer, but you’ll travel alongside locals and save substantially. Just be sure to check the irregular schedule in advance—I once got stranded for two extra days when I missed the return boat!

Christmas Island (Kiritimati): Wildlife and Landscapes

Located nearly 3,000 km from Tarawa in the Line Islands group, Christmas Island (Kiritimati) offers completely different photographic opportunities, especially for wildlife and landscape photographers.

Cook Island Seabird Sanctuary

Home to one of the world’s largest populations of seabirds, this protected area offers incredible opportunities to photograph frigatebirds, boobies, and terns against dramatic skies. The sight of thousands of birds wheeling overhead is both a visual and auditory spectacle.

When I visited in 2022, I made the mistake of wearing a bright yellow shirt—not ideal when surrounded by birds! Stick to dark, neutral colors to avoid becoming a target.

The “Y” (Convergence of the main lagoon)

This unique geographical feature where the main lagoon branches creates fascinating patterns when viewed from higher ground. The contrasting blues of different water depths create a natural abstract composition.

Photography challenge: Try to capture this location at different times of day, as the changing light transforms the colors dramatically from morning to evening.

Bay of Wrecks

Along the eastern shore of Christmas Island, this dramatically named stretch of coastline features the rusting remains of several shipwrecks against the powerful backdrop of breaking waves.

The juxtaposition of human-made structures being reclaimed by nature creates compelling visual narratives and moody black-and-white opportunities. I nearly damaged my camera with salt spray here—bring a protective cover!

Location Best Time for Photos Difficulty to Access Special Equipment Needed
South Tarawa sites Early morning/late afternoon Easy (bus/taxi available) None special
North Tarawa sites Midday for water clarity Moderate (requires boat transport) Waterproof bag recommended
Abaiang Atoll Morning (9-11am) Moderate (ferry or boat charter) Extra batteries (limited charging)
Christmas Island Varies by location Difficult (requires flight from Tarawa) Telephoto lens for wildlife, protection from salt

Banaba (Ocean Island): Forgotten History

Perhaps the most challenging but rewarding photographic destination in Kiribati is Banaba. This raised coral island was extensively mined for phosphate in the 20th century, creating a landscape that tells a powerful environmental and human story.

The Phosphate Pinnacles

These otherworldly limestone formations left behind after mining operations create an almost lunar landscape. The stark, sculptural quality of these pinnacles against the blue sky offers dramatic compositional possibilities.

When I visited in 2023, accessing Banaba required careful planning. Flights are extremely infrequent, and I ended up chartering a small boat from Nauru (an expensive but unforgettable journey). The effort was worth it—I’ve never seen landscapes that so powerfully document the impact of resource extraction.

Photography tip: The harsh midday light actually works well here, creating strong shadows that emphasize the texture and form of the pinnacles. Try black and white processing to enhance the graphic quality.

Cultural Events Worth Planning Around

If you can time your visit, these cultural events offer extraordinary photography opportunities:

Independence Day Celebrations (July 12)

The annual celebration features traditional dance competitions, canoe races, and colorful parades. The energy and visual spectacle are unmatched, with performers wearing traditional costumes and body decorations.

In 2021, I was fortunate to witness teams from all across the islands competing in traditional dance. The synchronized movements, vibrant natural costumes, and expressions of joy and pride make for compelling photographic subjects.

Insider tip: Position yourself on the eastern side of the main performance area in the morning to avoid shooting directly into the sun. Bring a zoom lens to capture facial expressions from a respectful distance.

New Year’s Church Services

Given the strong Christian influence in Kiribati, the midnight and morning church services on January 1st offer beautiful photographic opportunities. The combination of traditional maneaba architecture, white church clothing, and joyful singing creates moving images.

Always remember to ask permission before photographing religious ceremonies. A simple gesture and questioning look is usually sufficient communication, even with language barriers.

Underwater Photography Opportunities

Kiribati’s marine environments offer spectacular underwater photography for those with appropriate equipment.

Tarawa Lagoon Wreck Diving

The WWII wrecks in Tarawa Lagoon, including several Japanese vessels, offer hauntingly beautiful underwater photography opportunities. The ships have become artificial reefs teeming with marine life.

I’m no professional underwater photographer, but even with a simple waterproof camera housing, I captured memorable images of fish swimming through the corridors of history. The water clarity here varies greatly with tides and weather—ask local dive operators for current conditions.

Christmas Island Bonefish Flats

The vast shallow flats of Christmas Island are world-famous for bonefishing, but they also offer unique split-level photography opportunities. The crystal clear water allows you to capture both underwater life and the sky in a single frame.

Money-saving tip: Rather than booking a formal boat tour ($200+ AUD), arrange with locals in London village to take you out in their fishing boats for about $80 AUD for half a day. You’ll need to bring your own refreshments, but the experience is more authentic and you can customize your itinerary.

Photography Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Kiribati presents some unique challenges for photographers that I’ve learned to navigate through trial and error (mostly error, if I’m honest!).

Harsh Light and Contrast

Being near the equator, Kiribati’s midday sun creates extremely harsh lighting conditions. During my first visit, many of my midday photos suffered from blown-out highlights and deep shadows.

  • Solution: Embrace the “photographer’s hours” of early morning and late afternoon. I typically shoot from 6:00-9:00am and then again from 4:00-6:30pm.
  • Alternative approach: Use the harsh midday light creatively for high-contrast black and white photography, particularly of textural subjects like the phosphate pinnacles or palm tree silhouettes.

Salt and Humidity

The combination of salt spray and high humidity is brutal on camera equipment. I learned this the hard way when my first DSLR developed corrosion on the circuit board after just two weeks in Kiribati.

  • Solution: Bring silica gel packets and store your camera in a dry bag with them when not in use.
  • Daily ritual: Wipe down equipment with a barely damp cloth followed by a dry cloth each evening.
  • Budget option: If you can’t afford weather-sealed pro gear, consider a quality point-and-shoot with a waterproof housing as a backup.

Limited Power Access

Outside of South Tarawa and parts of Christmas Island, electrical power is limited and often only available for a few hours each day via generators.

  • Solution: Bring at least 3-4 extra batteries and charge them opportunistically.
  • Money-saving tip: A good solar charger costs about $60-80 AUD but will pay for itself during a two-week trip compared to buying disposable batteries, which can cost $15-20 AUD per pack in remote areas.

Your 5-Step Action Plan for Instagram Success in Kiribati

After multiple visits to these remote islands, I’ve developed a strategy that helps maximize both photographic opportunities and genuine cultural experiences:

  1. Prepare your gear strategically: Given the challenging environment, bring versatile but minimal equipment. One weather-sealed camera body, a 24-70mm lens for most situations, and perhaps a wide-angle lens for landscapes and interiors is sufficient. Add a simple underwater housing if possible.
  2. Make Tarawa your base camp: Book accommodation in South Tarawa for your first 3-4 days to adjust to the climate, scout locations on the main island, and arrange transportation to outer islands. The Mary’s Motel offers reasonable rates (around $85 AUD/night) and reliable power for charging.
  3. Build relationships first, photographs second: Spend your first day in each location without your camera. Meet locals, explain your interest in photography, and ask permission. The I-Kiribati people are generally welcoming but appreciate this respectful approach.
  4. Embrace the unexpected timing: In Kiribati, schedules are fluid. What appears to be a missed opportunity might turn into something better. When my flight to Christmas Island was delayed by two days in 2022, I ended up photographing an impromptu community dance performance that became my trip highlight.
  5. Share your images meaningfully: Whenever possible, find ways to share your photos with the people you’ve photographed. Portable printers are ideal, but even showing images on your camera screen creates goodwill. Consider sending prints back to communities after your return home.

By following these steps, you’ll not only capture stunning images for your Instagram feed but also create meaningful connections that enhance both your experience and the lives of those you photograph.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kiribati safe for solo photographers?

Yes, Kiribati is generally very safe for travelers, including solo photographers. Crime rates are extremely low, particularly outside South Tarawa. However, standard precautions apply—don’t leave expensive equipment unattended, and be aware of your surroundings, especially when photographing at night or in isolated areas.

During my five visits, I’ve never experienced any security issues with my equipment. The greatest danger is actually environmental—sunburn, dehydration, and water safety are much more significant concerns than crime.

What’s the best time of year to visit Kiribati for photography?

Kiribati has a relatively consistent tropical climate year-round, but I prefer the period from May to October when rainfall is typically lower and skies are clearer. December through March can bring more dramatic storm clouds but also extended rainy periods that limit photography opportunities.

For specific events worth photographing, plan around Independence Day (July 12) or Christmas/New Year celebrations when cultural activities are abundant.

Do I need permits for photography in Kiribati?

No formal photography permits are required for personal photography in public spaces. However, certain locations like government buildings may have restrictions. Commercial photography projects should contact the Ministry of Information, Communications, Transport and Tourism Development in advance.

The most important “permit” is simply asking permission from individuals before photographing them. A smile and gesture toward your camera is usually sufficient to communicate your request.

How can I access the internet to share my photos while in Kiribati?

Internet access has improved significantly since my first visit in 2018, but remains limited and expensive compared to most destinations. ATHKL (Amalgamated Telecom Holdings Kiribati Limited) is the primary provider.

In South Tarawa and Christmas Island, you can purchase data SIM cards, but expect to pay about $10 AUD for 1GB of data. Wi-Fi is available at major accommodations in South Tarawa but speeds are generally slow. I’ve learned to select and edit my best images before uploading to conserve data.

In the outer islands, internet access is extremely limited or non-existent. Embrace this as part of the experience—your followers will appreciate the curated collection you share upon returning to areas with connectivity.

What cultural sensitivities should I be aware of when photographing in Kiribati?

The I-Kiribati people are generally welcoming, but certain cultural considerations will help you photograph respectfully:

  • Always ask permission before photographing individuals, especially elders and children
  • Dress modestly when photographing in villages (shoulders covered, no short shorts)
  • Remove shoes before entering traditional maneaba (meeting houses)
  • Avoid photographing inside churches during services unless explicitly invited
  • If someone asks for a small payment for their photo, this is not uncommon—around $1-2 AUD is appropriate

One of my worst photography faux pas occurred during my first visit when I unknowingly photographed a traditional ceremony that was considered private. The community elder politely but firmly asked me to delete the images, which I did immediately. Always check if an event is appropriate to photograph.

How much cash should I bring for a photography trip to Kiribati?

Kiribati operates largely as a cash economy, especially outside South Tarawa. ATMs are limited to South Tarawa and Christmas Island, and even there, they can run out of cash or experience technical issues.

I recommend bringing at least $100 AUD per day of your stay in clean, newer bills. This might seem excessive, but unexpected expenses such as boat charter changes, accommodation adjustments, or emergencies make this reserve important. Australian dollars are the official currency.

For a photography-specific budget, consider setting aside:

  • $20-30 AUD per day for local guides who can take you to photogenic locations not in guidebooks
  • $50-100 AUD for unexpected transport changes (common with weather delays)
  • $30-50 AUD for small gifts or payments to photograph special cultural events

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