Things to Do in Kiribati in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Kiribati
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
- + Trade winds finally arrive, cutting humidity from November's brutal 85% to a manageable 70% - you'll feel the difference when you step off the plane at Bonriki International
- + Giant trevally and bluefin trevally hit peak size in December - the fishing charter captains on Tarawa know this is when 30 kg (66 lb) monsters crush lures near the reef drop-offs
- + Christmas Island (Kiritimati) has its clearest lagoon water of the year in December - visibility pushes 40 m (131 ft) making the bonefish visible from the boat
- + Airfare drops 25-30% from peak season - the twice-weekly Fiji Airways flights that were booked solid in July suddenly have middle seats empty
- − December sits right at the start of cyclone season - while direct hits are rare, the 3-4 day swell warnings will shut down boat trips to the outer islands
- − Rain doesn't mess around here - we're talking 30-minute tropical downpours that dump 25 mm (1 inch) and turn the main road on South Tarawa into a lagoon
- − Fresh produce gets sketchy - the supply ship from Fiji might not run for 3 weeks if the swell's up, meaning cabbage costs triple and tomatoes disappear entirely
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
December's northeast trade winds flatten the lagoon surface on Kiritimati, creating perfect conditions for spotting bonefish tailing in 30 cm (12 in) of water. The fish are aggressive after the November spawning season and cruise the flats in schools of 200-plus. Early morning sessions from 6-10 AM beat the heat and the afternoon squalls.
The December heat is brutal for beach lounging but good for moving between the WWII sites - you'll want to keep walking to catch any breeze. The 3.2 km (2 mile) stretch from Red Beach to Black Beach where the Marines landed in 1943 has interpretive markers that most visitors miss, and the coral heads at low tide still show ship hull fragments.
December evenings cool to 26°C (79°F) - the temperature where locals gather in the maneaba meeting house. You'll catch village meetings, traditional dancing practice, and the weekly te bino singing sessions that happen year-round but feel different when everyone's seeking that evening breeze.
The December variable winds mean morning glass-off conditions good for paddling Abaiang's 15 km (9.3 mile) lagoon system. You'll glide over coral gardens in 2 m (6.6 ft) of water, stopping at uninhabited motus where hermit crabs the size of tennis balls scavenge under coconut palms.
December's variable conditions work in your favor on Maiana - when the west side gets choppy, you circumnavigate to the protected east coast where 2 m (6.6 ft) cliffs drop straight into deep blue water and spinner dolphins ride the boat wake every morning.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Villages on South Tarawa compete in traditional standing-dance competitions that last until sunrise. The drum rhythms change every 30 minutes, and dancers wear pandanus skirts that rustle against coconut-shell anklets. The real action happens in the prep areas behind the maneaba where dancers warm up with toddy wine.
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