Flights from Kiribati to Tuvalu

Hi, I am an experienced traveler. But I recently sent payment to Manu Travel Services in Tuvalu to pay for an air ticket from Tarawa (Kiribati) to Funafuti (Tuvalu). I sent this by Western Union (the only method they would accept). Everything seemed quite correct (their agency was listed on the Air Kiribati website), but since sending the money, I have not heard anything from them. Does anyone have experience with Manu Travel Services or their representative <snip>? Any advice would be much appreciated. I also tried booking directly through Air Kiribati, but they never respond. Is this airline still in business? Barry

Hey barrymichael,

I just made a reservation this morning on the same flight route, and had no issue with it! I had very prompt responses from multiple people. Let me post their emails below. First I emailed: reservation@airkiribati.com.ki and then after were the responding emails I received:

drochford@airkiribati.com.ki (Daniel Rochford, very prompt response and perfect English).
akafo@airkiribati.com.ki (Audrey Kafo, prompt and perfect English)
ttakiro@airkiribati.com.ki (Teretia Takiro, Prompt responses also, English no issue also).
manutravel@gmail.com (this one was always CC'ed but never a response).

Within 20 minutes of my initial email, I had a confirmation itinerary email sent to me (the email claimed there was an attachment but none found, which is fine as long as the reservation was made). Seemed like quick work to me!

Safe and fun travels!

Hi Dubai5923. Can you advise how you did the payment remotely? I have a reservation with them also but been awaiting a few days reply on how to make the payment..... Thanks

Hi leafcup, Similar to Dubai5923, I had responses from Air Kiribati confirming my reservation. I sent payment via Western Union to Manu Travel. When will you be in Tuvalu and Kiribati? I will be there in September.

Hi barrymichael. I had further contact with them over the last few days. They advised that I do an international transfer and provided their ANZ bank in Kiribati details. This method is fine for me. That is in process now....
I will also be in Tuvalu and Kiribati in September. The flight I'm doing this money transfer for is the Wed Sept 19 from Funafuti to Tarawa....

Hi leafcup, I'll be in Tarawa from Sept 15 to 25. Staying at Fema Lodge in Bairiki. Perhaps we can meet. What are you planning to do in Kiribati?

Hi barrymichael. I just sent you a private message in response to this... Cheers...

hey guys, how was your trip? planning to go to kiribati in august. have you been to the line islands? i would like to dive there.

any advice much apreciated.

Hi jungclaudio211047,

Kiribati had some wonderful attributes about it, such as the local island culture and dancing. Some nice beaches too. Kids will wave hi to you on the outer islands. If you like fishing, go to Christmas Island.

But Kiribati is one of the most challenging countries to visit, as a Westerner. You need to go with minimal two weeks of time. Because even if you make reservations in advance, they may cancel your flights. Air Kiribati canceled many flights for myself and other travelers while I was there, and let others rebook over these reservations. I had five flights booked and all the bookings were disregarded.

Also, the local pace is not just on island time, but will just throw the clock into the ocean altogether. If you have any schedule, disregard it and just have a very open block of time.

Additionally, the flight between Tarawa and Tuvalu is not flying for a while. In late December, Air Kiribati was trying to fix their one airplane that had capability to fly the 3 hour distance. It was involved in a minor crash, but the parts had to be flown in from the Solomon Islands and Canadian engineers had to be flown in (yet to happen) to fix the plane. I verified this with an update from the person in charge of the entire operation altogether, because I got his contact when meeting him in person in Tarawa.

Be mindful of the weather when you visit. Weather will dictate everything, even if you stay on land and don't get into the water.

Diving-wise, its a bad place because logistically its difficult. No dive shops or equipment to rent. Bring your own or just bring a snorkel/mask. I'm sure Kiribati has fabulous places to dive, but the country's tourism industry just isn't set up for that. Christmas Island (not located in the Gilberts) may have a dive shop, but check in advance.

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