Named by Captain Cook on Christmas Eve 1777, Kiritimati is the world's largest coral atoll — a sun-scorched, breathtakingly remote stop where bonefishing is world-class, seabirds nest by the million, and your ship anchors far offshore.
Ships anchor offshore and tender passengers to the small cargo jetty in London, the island's administrative center.
💡 Pro move: Bring AUD cash from the ship. There are no ATMs on the island and credit cards are not accepted anywhere.
Kiritimati is a tender-only port — ships anchor offshore and use tenders or Zodiacs to reach the London cargo jetty.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Holland America, repositioning & trans-Pacific ships | Anchor offshore — tender to London jetty📍 | Tendered |
| Expedition ships (Silversea, Lindblad, etc.) | Zodiac landing at London jetty📍 | Tendered |
Kiritimati rewards passengers who pre-book — the best experiences (birdwatching, bonefishing, salt flats) require a guide or local transport.
Cook Island sits inside the lagoon and protects nesting colonies of red-tailed tropicbirds, masked boobies, frigatebirds, and sooty terns. Access is regulated — a guided boat tour is the only way in, and it's unforgettable for wildlife lovers.
Find bird tour guides →Kiritimati is legendary in fly-fishing circles — its shallow, crystal-clear lagoon flats hold some of the densest bonefish populations on the planet. Pre-book a local guide and boat well in advance. Even non-anglers enjoy the scenery.
Find bonefishing guides →The UK and US conducted atmospheric nuclear tests here in the 1950s–60s. Rusted military hardware, old communication towers, and bunker ruins are scattered near London and toward the airstrip. Fascinating for history buffs — safe to visit today.
Ask ship for guided history tour →The vast salt evaporation pans in the island's interior create a surreal white-and-pink landscape. Requires a local vehicle — combine with a drive around the lagoon to spot flamingo-colored shallows and deserted beaches.
Arrange local transport →A curve of white sand right near the tender pier. Calm, shallow lagoon water is safe for swimming. Avoid the ocean-facing side of the atoll — currents are powerful and reef drop-offs are dramatic.
Self-guided — bring reef-safe sunscreen →London village is compact and walkable; anything beyond it requires a vehicle on this enormous atoll.
From the jetty, walk through London's dusty streets past the cooperative stores, the local school, and the church. Finish at the post office — a pilgrimage for stamp collectors and a great place to send a postcard from one of the world's most remote addresses.
📍 Open in MapsHead from the tender jetty along the lagoon-side beach. Coconut palms, turquoise water, and very few other people. Swim only in the calm lagoon shallows — never on the ocean side.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Line Islands, Kiribati (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 80°F / 27°C | 78°F / 26°C | 8 | 6:38 AM | 6:40 PM |
| Feb | 80°F / 27°C | 78°F / 26°C | 9 | 6:42 AM | 6:45 PM |
| Mar | 80°F / 27°C | 78°F / 26°C | 18 | 6:35 AM | 6:41 PM |
| Apr | 81°F / 27°C | 79°F / 26°C | 21 | 6:25 AM | 6:34 PM |
| May | 82°F / 28°C | 80°F / 27°C | 15 | 6:20 AM | 6:32 PM |
| Jun | 82°F / 28°C | 80°F / 27°C | 14 | 6:23 AM | 6:37 PM |
| Jul | 82°F / 28°C | 79°F / 26°C | 12 | 6:29 AM | 6:42 PM |
| Aug | 81°F / 27°C | 79°F / 26°C | 8 | 6:29 AM | 6:39 PM |
| Sep | 81°F / 27°C | 79°F / 26°C | 6 | 6:21 AM | 6:28 PM |
| Oct | 81°F / 27°C | 79°F / 26°C | 4 | 6:13 AM | 6:17 PM |
| Nov | 81°F / 27°C | 79°F / 26°C | 6 | 6:13 AM | 6:15 PM |
| Dec | 81°F / 27°C | 79°F / 26°C | 7 | 6:24 AM | 6:25 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Informal shared minibuses and local vehicles are the main transport. Fares are negotiated directly with the driver — agree before you go, cash only.
A handful of local operators rent cars, giving you freedom to explore the atoll's remote flats, bird colonies, and outer villages at your own pace.
Bicycles can be rented and are well-suited to the flat terrain. A popular way to reach the bird sanctuary at Motu Tabu or explore the lagoon road.
The most reliable option for seeing the island. Tender is required to reach shore, and organized tours handle logistics on this remote, infrastructure-light atoll.
Tender drops passengers at London Village, which is walkable. The village, market, and nearby lagoon shoreline can all be reached on foot from the tender landing.
Upcoming cruises that call at Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Line Islands, Kiribati. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.