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- Abaiang Lagoon: The shallow, milky-turquoise lagoon is the heart of the atoll. At high tide you can paddle or ride a boat across it, and at low tide the flats open up for wading and watching fishermen work.
- Outer sandbars and islets: Small strips of sand and pandanus at the lagoon edge make a good picnic destination. Shade is scarce, so bring a hat and water. Seabirds wheel overhead, and the sand glows white around midday.
- Tuarabu and the island road: The main settlement area has the airstrip, a few small stores and the easiest access to the road that runs along the atoll. Walking it shows you houses of thatch and tin, copra drying in the sun, and children running between palms.
- Village maneabas: These open-sided meeting houses with huge roof beams are where decisions are made and feasts are
- Abaiang Lagoon: The shallow, milky-turquoise lagoon is the heart of the atoll. At high tide you can paddle or ride a boat across it, and at low tide the flats open up for wading and watching fishermen work.
- Outer sandbars and islets: Small strips of sand and pandanus at the lagoon edge make a good picnic destination. Shade is scarce, so bring a hat and water. Seabirds wheel overhead, and the sand glows white around midday.
- Tuarabu and the island road: The main settlement area has the airstrip, a few small stores and the easiest access to the road that runs along the atoll. Walking it shows you houses of thatch and tin, copra drying in the sun, and children running between palms.
- Village maneabas: These open-sided meeting houses with huge roof beams are where decisions are made and feasts are held. Ask permission before entering and sit low, as locals do. Seeing one in use tells you more about Kiribati than any museum.
- Ocean-side reef shore: The seaward side is rougher, with coral rubble, crashing swell and a steady wind. It is not for swimming, but the sunrise light here is excellent and the reef edge is good for watching birds and crabs.
- Toddy cutters at dawn: Men climb coconut palms before sunrise to collect the sweet sap that families rely on. Watch from a respectful distance, and if offered a taste, accept; it is sweet, slightly smoky and very filling.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.