atoll in the central Pacific Ocean
Tarawa is an atoll in the central Pacific Ocean, and the location of the capital of Kiribati. It is home to 63,017 i-Kiribati, more than half of the country's population!
Tarawa was the site of the Battle of Tarawa, one of the most brutal battles in the Pacific Theatre during WWII. It was previously the capital of the former British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands.
For a full understanding of this atoll you should pick up a book called "The Sex Lives of Cannibals" by J Maarten Troost. This is a very informative insight to the everyday life on Tarawa. (The title is misrepresentative, and perhaps slapped on by the publisher, as there is nothing naughty or cannibalistic in the book.)
Tarawa is separated administratively to South Tarawa, comprised of the developed islands at the south of the atoll west from the airport at Bonriki and where the vast majority of the population lives, and North Tarawa, the tiny islands extending north of the airport, which have a population of less than 7,000 inhabitants.
Supply boats periodically leave Fiji. There’s no point quoting schedules or details as there are none. Just ask around in Suva, Nadi or Lautoka harbours. Captains usually accept hitchhikers for a small fee. Prepare for the worst: no comfort, bad food. And for the best: great company, Polynesian and Micronesian hospitality and adventure.
Private yachts cruising the Pacific sometimes also take passengers. Ask around in yacht clubs, marinas, slipways. Good luck!
South Tarawa has a few international ATMs through the Bank of Kiribati.
