Briefing d'orientation aux Kiribati

Kiribati est composé de trois groupes d'îles distincts : les îles Gilbert, les îles de la Ligne et les îles Phénix. Les premiers navigateurs austronésiens sont arrivés aux îles Gilbert dès 3000 av. J.-C., mais ces îles n'ont été largement peuplées par des Micronésiens qu'vers 200 apr. J.-C. Vers 1300, des Samoans et des Tongiens ont envahi le sud des îles Gilbert, alors appelées Tungaru, apportant avec eux des éléments culturels polynésiens. Des arrivées ultérieures de Fidjiens ont introduit des éléments mélanésiens aux îles Gilbert, et les mariages mixtes intenses entre les populations micronésiennes, polynésiennes et mélanésiennes ont conduit à la formation de ce qui allait devenir les traditions culturelles gilbertines à l'époque où les Européens ont aperçu les îles, au XVIIe siècle. Les îles Phénix et les îles de la Ligne ont été visitées par divers peuples mélanésiens et polynésiens, mais leur isolement et l'absence de ressources naturelles ont empêché l'établissement de colonies durables. Ces deux groupes d'îles étaient inhabités au moment du premier contact avec les Européens.

Le Kiribati a connu des contacts européens continus dès les années 1760 ; les trois groupes d'îles avaient tous été nommés et cartographiés en 1826. Des baleiniers américains passaient fréquemment par les îles, et le Royaume-Uni a déclaré un protectorat sur les îles Gilbert et les îles Ellice voisines en 1892, dans le but de contrer l'influence croissante des États-Unis. L'île de Banaba, riche en phosphates, a été rattachée au protectorat en 1900. En 1916, le protectorat est devenu une colonie ; certaines îles de la Ligne y ont été ajoutées en 1916 et 1919, les dernières en 1972. Les îles Phénix ont été rattachées à la colonie en 1937, et le Royaume-Uni a accepté de partager la juridiction de certaines d'entre elles avec les États-Unis en raison de leur position stratégique pour l'aviation. Pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale, les îles ont été occupées par les forces japonaises, qui en ont été chassées par des débarquements amphibies américains. Les îles Ellice sont devenues une colonie distincte en 1974 et ont été rebaptisées Tuvalu, signifiant « huit debout ensemble », en 1975. Les îles Gilbert ont accédé à l'autonomie gouvernementale complète en 1977 et à l'indépendance en 1979, sous le nouveau nom de Kiribati, orthographe gilbertine de Gilbert. Les États-Unis ont renoncé à toutes leurs revendications sur les îles Phénix et les îles de la Ligne, peu peuplées, par un traité d'amitié de 1979.

En 2012, Kiribati a acquis une parcelle de terrain de 22 km² (8,5 mi²) à Fidji, en vue d'une éventuelle réinstallation future de sa population en raison du changement climatique. En 2014, le Premier ministre fidjien Voreqe BAINIMARAMA a déclaré que les habitants de Kiribati seraient les bienvenus pour s'installer à Fidji si leur pays venait à être submergé par la montée des eaux.

Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East

Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights. 

Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel:

• check travel advice for any countries or territories you are transiting through
• check for the latest updates from your airline or tour operator
• review your travel insurance policy for coverage
• monitor local and international media for the latest information and sign up for travel advice email alerts

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

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Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.   

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Kiribati

Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Kiribati, attacks cannot be ruled out.

Laws and cultural differences

Personal ID

You must always be able to show an official form of ID such as your passport. The police will usually accept a printed copy.

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

Possession or trafficking of drugs is a serious offence in Kiribati, and prison sentences may be heavy.

Public nudity

You should respect local customs about dress, including swimming costumes. Local laws ban public nudity and revealing swimming costumes.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex sexual acts are illegal. If found guilty, the penalty could be up to 14 years imprisonment.   

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Internet and phone services

Internet and mobile phone services are available in some parts of Kiribati. Not all of the outer islands are connected. Services can be unreliable and expensive because of the country’s remote location.

Stray dogs

Stray dogs have bitten visitors. Be cautious, particularly on the beach. If a dog approaches you, do not run. Reaching down as if to pick up something off the ground can be enough to scare dogs away. If a dog bites you, seek medical attention immediately.

Money

Very few places accept credit cards in Kiribati. There are ATMs at branches of the Bank of Kiribati and ANZ in Betio, Bairiki and Bikenibeu on Tarawa atoll.

Outdoor activities and adventure tourism

Swimming and boating safety

Do not swim in the lagoon in south Tarawa, as it is highly polluted.

Take great care when swimming in the sea around Kiribati. There are very strong rip tides along coast and reef areas.

Always wear safety equipment during boating trips. Squalls can happen at very short notice.

See water safety on holiday from the Royal Life Saving Society.

Transport risks

Road travel

If you are planning to drive in Kiribati, see information on driving abroad.

You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Kiribati. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) as well.  

Road conditions are poor on Tarawa, but driving standards are reasonable. Minibuses can be dangerously overloaded.

Extreme weather and natural disasters

Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.

Flooding

During the wet season, which normally runs from November to April, there can be strong winds and sea swells. Flooding and coastal inundation can cause disruption to essential services and infrastructure.

Monitor regional and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organization, the Fiji Meteorological Service and local newspapers.

Droughts

There can be severe droughts in Kiribati. The authorities may put water restrictions in place.

Before you travel check that:

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
• you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Call 994 and ask for an ambulance.   

Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Vaccine recommendations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip:

• check the latest vaccine recommendations for Kiribati
• see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page

See what health risks you’ll face in Kiribati, including Dengue.

Drink and use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. Do not eat local shellfish or lagoon fish on Tarawa.  

Medication

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.

Healthcare in Kiribati

Medical facilities at the general hospital in Tarawa are modest. Elsewhere, nurse practitioners generally staff clinics.

Pharmaceuticals – both prescription and non-prescription medicines – are generally not available. Bring any medicines you need with you.

If you need any non-basic medical treatment, you will usually need medical evacuation from Kiribati. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover evacuation by air ambulance plus the cost of medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.