Kiritimati at a Glance
About Kiritimati
Kiritimati (Christmas Island) is a large coral atoll in the Line Islands of Kiribati and is the world’s largest atoll by land area. The atoll is notable for its extensive lagoons, large seabird populations and fishing opportunities.
Visitors and researchers visit for birdwatching, sport fishing (notably bonefish) and to observe remote atoll ecosystems; facilities are limited outside the principal settlements. The atoll was also used for nuclear testing by the United Kingdom in the 1950s and has historical sites related to those events.
Captain James Cook named the island ‘Christmas Island’ when he visited on 24 December 1777; the modern Kiribati name Kiritimati reflects the local spelling of Christmas. Settlement and local infrastructure are concentrated in a few villages near airstrips and lagoon areas.
Kiritimati lies in the central Pacific’s Line Islands, north of the equator and far east of the Gilbert Islands; it is remote with infrequent flights and limited on-island services.
- Size and wildlife: It is the world’s largest coral atoll by land area and is internationally noted for seabird colonies and bonefishing opportunities.
Best Time to Visit Kiritimati
Visit Kiritimati in the drier months (May-October) for the most reliable weather and clearer sea conditions.
Weather & Climate near Kiritimati
Kiritimati's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 24°C to 31°C. Moderate rainfall (988 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 24° - 30° | 30° | 79 mm | some cloud | 80% | 5.1 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 11.9h |
| February | Excellent | 24° - 30° | 31° | 61 mm | some cloud | 81% | 5.1 m/s | 2.9 extreme | 12.0h |
| March | Very Good | 24° - 30° | 31° | 169 mm | some cloud | 83% | 4.4 m/s | 2.9 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Excellent | 24° - 30° | 31° | 142 mm | some cloud | 83% | 4.3 m/s | 2.8 extreme | 12.0h |
| May | Excellent | 24° - 31° | 31° | 114 mm | some cloud | 80% | 3.6 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 12.1h |
| June | Excellent | 25° - 31° | 31° | 77 mm | mostly sunny | 79% | 4.2 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.1h |
| July | Excellent | 24° - 31° | 30° | 73 mm | mostly sunny | 77% | 4.2 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.1h |
| August | Excellent | 24° - 31° | 31° | 70 mm | mostly sunny | 76% | 4.6 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 12.1h |
| September | Excellent | 25° - 31° | 31° | 65 mm | mostly sunny | 76% | 4.7 m/s | 2.9 extreme | 12.0h |
| October | Excellent | 24° - 31° | 31° | 79 mm | mostly sunny | 75% | 4.6 m/s | 2.9 extreme | 12.0h |
| November | Ideal | 24° - 31° | 30° | 32 mm | mostly sunny | 76% | 4.7 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 11.9h |
| December | Ideal | 24° - 30° | 30° | 27 mm | some cloud | 78% | 4.9 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 11.9h |
How to Get to Kiritimati
Fly to Cassidy International Airport (CXI) on Kiritimati - the island’s main airfield. Flights are limited and normally connect via other Pacific hubs (for example Tarawa or Nadi), so check current schedules and carriers before travel.
From Cassidy Airport it is a short drive of a few kilometres into the main settlements; local taxis or island shuttle services provide onward transport (there are no regular public rail services).
Tips for Visiting Kiritimati
- Fly into Cassidy International Airport (Kiritimati/CXI) and plan onward transport and lodging well in advance-commercial flights are infrequent and local services are limited.
- Visit at dawn or late afternoon for the best seabird activity and softer light for photography; many visitors miss the large frigatebird and booby colonies that are most active at those times.
- Explore the exposed lagoon flats at low tide when more of the reef and shorelines are accessible for birdwatching and shoreline walks; check local tide times before heading out.