Diving in Kiribati

Central & South Pacific

3 regions

34 dive sites

Kiribati is diving's final frontier, an expedition into the truly unknown. With zero dive centres, this isn't a trip you book, it's a trip you create - think liveaboard charters or self-sufficient operations from your own vessel. We'd point intrepid divers towards the Phoenix Islands Protected Area, a colossal marine reserve where the sheer scale of untouched reef is genuinely humbling. Expect encounters with pelagics like sperm whales cruising through pristine blue, and a bizarre collection of reef fish you'll struggle to find anywhere else, like the prickly spotted drupe or the snakehead cowrie. This is a journey for the self-reliant diver seeking true isolation and the kind of underwater discovery that feels like a first.

Kiribati Dive Regions

3 diving areas in Kiribati

Christmas Island (Kiritimati)

Christmas Island, Kiritimati, often gets overlooked for its diving, probably because there are no dedicated dive centres. That's a shame because this place is truly unique. We’ve found ourselves descending into water so clear it felt like flying, with visibility routinely pushing 40 metres. The currents here can be lively, sweeping you past walls of coral that haven't seen a diver in weeks. Our favourite moments are drifting along the outer reef, watching squadrons of Big-eye Trevally flash in unison and spotting the endemic Red-flushed Cod peeking from crevices. There are over 30 named sites, but we reckon a good half of the reef remains largely unexplored. We love the thrill of descending onto a new patch of reef, feeling that genuine sense of discovery. You’ll regularly encounter large manta rays gliding over the bommies, and the sheer number of species, like the colourful Sunburst Butterflyfish or the quirky Chameleon Parrotfish, keeps every dive interesting. The bonefish flats are famous, but for us, the real magic happens offshore. Just be ready to go with the flow, literally, and don’t expect a full-service dive operation. This is raw, adventurous diving.

33 dive sites

Phoenix Islands

The Phoenix Islands are a protected marine wilderness, mostly visited by liveaboard. You’ll find some of the Pacific's most untouched reefs here, home to large pelagics like black marlin and the occasional sperm whale. Currents can be strong, so we’d suggest this area for experienced divers. This isn't a place for dive centers, so come prepared for truly remote diving.

1 dive site

Tarawa

The capital atoll with WWII wreck diving, lagoon reefs, and a fascinating wartime history beneath the waves.