"Fanning Island, Kiribati" Line Islands by vanderlust

Line Islands Travel Guide: 6 reviews and 20 photos

We visited Fanning Island as part of our NCL cruise of Hawaii. We spent two days at sea traveling from Kaui to Fanning which is a trip of about 1000 statute miles. Fanning is a coral atoll about 150 miles north of the equator in the Line Island chain of Kiribati (pronounced Keerbas). I had read mixed reviews prior to our journey and some of the cruise passengers decided not to visit the island because of it's lack of "civilization". I wouldn't have missed it. I found the island beautifully unspoiled by the 21st century world. There is no electricity or running water (save the small area run by NCL) on the island and the people were warm and friendly. Obviously missing was the hustle of any other cruise port and the pressure of vendors pushing imported wares for a quick buck. These people are proud of their island and their handmade crafts but they were courteous and graciuos hosts for the day.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Unspoiled beauty and innocence
Cons:hmmm...not enough time
In a nutshell:take a walk into 19th century Polynesia

Last visit to Line Islands: Mar 2005
Intro Written Apr 12, 2005
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Reviews (4)

Fanning islanders are friendly - Line Islands

Fanning islanders are friendly Local Customs (1)

You will find the islanders happy to welcome and entertain. This young man and his little brother wanted to show off his... more travel advice

Local crafts market Tourist Traps (1)

Under this tree you will find tables set up with islanders selling their locally made crafts from painted shells and... more travel advice

The people of Fanning Island - Line Islands

The people of Fanning Island Favorites (1)

We found the people of Fanning to be one of it's treasures. Friendly and cheerful and happy to greet you with a smile.... more travel advice

All activities on Faning are "Off the Beaten Path" - Line Islands

All activities on Faning are "Off the... Off The Beaten Path (1)

This is a map of Fanning island on the local "Post Office" We mailed a few post cards from here and still haven't... more travel advice

Comments (3)

nickandchris Apr 9, 2009 at 8:06 AM Report Abuse

How long will it remain like that?? Looks and sounds superb.
Marianne2 Oct 2, 2007 at 5:01 PM Report Abuse

I just came upon your Fanning Island page. Nice place, isn't it? I visited by sailboat before it was "colonized" by NCL. I can't believe other pax wouldn't go ashore here!
Rusket Oct 14, 2005 at 4:02 PM Report Abuse

Just reread your page and realized you have already answered the question I posted in the forum :-) Next time I go to Kiribati I will try Fanning!