Kiribati Warning or Danger Tips by ollyf

The number one thing that anybody will warn you about in Kiribati is DON'T SWIM IN SOUTH TARAWA LAGOON! It looks lovely, but simply put, there are 40,000 people in South Tarawa and the majority of them use the lagoon as their toilet. As the water is very still, it doesn't get much of a wash-out, so while the effluent dissolves, its "qualities" are still there. For the same reasons, don't eat anything that comes out of the lagoon, especially shellfish or anything else that eats off the sea floor.

North Tarawa is perfectly OK, though. It's bigger than South Tarawa but has a tenth of the population, so while they have the same toilet habits, there's not enough to pollute the water. You can swim in North Tarawa and eat its inhabitants without fear!

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Betio in South Tarawa is notorious for several reasons, and rightly so.

First of all, the sea there is HEAVILY polluted. This much is obvious just looking at it, but just in case you were thinking of taking a dip anyway - DON'T! On Betio's Red beach, also look out for human and dog excrement on the sand, as well as all manner of debris including broken glass and metal on or under the sand, so make sure not to walk barefoot around there.

Second, not so much a danger, but definitely an annoyance. When the wind blows the wrong way, you will get a good lungful of aroma from said pollution.

As with most Pacific islands, particularly the poorer ones, dogs can be a problem, and this especially applies to Betio, where I was actually chased by a pack of them.

Finally, the nightlife is of a "rough and ready" style, and while most people come to no harm, and Kiribati people are very hospitable and friendly, they are very big drinkers and that can lead to the usual fisticuffs.

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Bring your own mosquito repellant and sun screen. Despite being very sunny with a lot of mosquitoes, you can't buy these two items in Kiribati!

Mosquitoes are plentiful both in the day and at night. There is no malaria in Kiribati, but occasional outbreaks of dengue fever, which is carried by daytime mosquitoes, so don't skip the repellant just because the sun is shining. On one afternoon, I was bitten over 100 times in Tarawa, which even if I didn't caught dengue, was still a major annoyance!

All parts of Kiribati are very close to the equator, so it is very hot and the sun's rays are very strong. Take appropriate care, especially if swimming or out at sea.

There are no hospitals outside of Tarawa or Christmas Island so don't venture to any of the outer islands if you have even the slightest doubt over your health and fitness. Even in Tarawa and Christmas, the hospitals are of a relative standard to Kiribati's position as the world's 10th poorest country, so don't have anything but the most basic treatment there. It's a cliche, but "when in pain, get a plane" is definitely appropriate. But also remember there are only two international flights per week.

Don't drink the tap water and be tardy in your consumption of sour toddy, the coconut sap homebrew which is widely available. It is naturally fermented i.e. rotten, so those without strong constitutions should be wary. Bottled water, soft drinks and canned beer is widely available.

Finally, the usual notice about rare dangers such as sharks, jellyfish, stonefish etc. You're highly unlikely to come to harm at the hands of any of these, but just know that they are out there. Somebody caught a three-metre shark while I was in Butaritari!

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