Lagoon flats
Turquoise water.
Alchap7493 — CC BY 4.0 · Calvin Smith from Madrid, Spain — CC BY 2.0 · Calvin Smith from Madrid, Spain — CC BY 2.0 · Justsomeblokesaccount — CC BY-SA 4.0
Kiritimati, also known as Christmas Island, is a vast coral atoll in the Pacific Ocean, part of Kiribati. Shallow turquoise water fills many lagoons, with white coral beaches, coconut palms and open sky over flat land. It is one of the world's largest atolls by land area, about 312 km², with a network of lagoons covering 328 km² and a perimeter of about 150 km. It lies 232 km north of the equator. Captain James Cook visited on Christmas Eve 1777, which gave the island its name; the local name is the same word in Gilbertese. It sits in the world's furthest-forward time zone, so it is one of the first inhabited places to see the new year. The whole island is a wildlife sanctuary where many seabirds nest. You walk the shallow lagoon flats, swim and fish with a local guide. The centre of the atoll is about 13 km in a straight line southeast of London, its largest village. Access to five sensitive bird areas is restricted, so follow your guide's instructions. Flights to the island are few, so plan well ahead.
Turquoise water.
Many nests.
White coral.
Northern Line Islands, Kiribati
By air; flights are few, so book early.
Some are closed; follow your guide.