Kiribati - which island for a few days?

Hi all...

I'm determined to spend Christmas Day on Christmas Island (Kirimati) if possible. But Tarawa seems much better served by air transport and I'm unsure I can do a whole week on Kirimati (flights departing once a week etc - although flying in from Fiji and then leaving to Hawaii seems a plan, I won't get as much ease visiting other countries like I would if I was based on Tarawa instead. Conundrum!

They're so far apart, and Kirimati seems the quieter island, but to go from one to the other, one has to go back to Fiji (there's no transport between them although I was talking to Air Kiribati yesterday and they are planning it in 2018!!

I'm visiting on a trip from the UK this December, and don't have all the time in the world - if you could do either Tarawa or Kirimati, which would you do?

I haven't been to Kiritimati, but would say Tarawa is a good choice.
Crowded South Tarawa has some historic attractions and the insight into urban life, while North Tarawa has the typical remote and traditional feel of the outer islands. You could perhaps even visit an outer island from Tarawa, though they really aren't all that different.

HI Laszlo - thank you for your reply. Kirimati for a week sounds a bit difficult, I just romanticised the idea of Christmas Day on Christmas Island!

Tarawa looks more likely - would you say it's safe for a cautious female solo traveller? I have read about flights changing dates and such, and aware that my visit over December/New Year falls in the region's rainy season.

It should be safe enough during the day, though as I am a man my experience could differ from yours.

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