Transportation in Kiribati

Kiribati's transport is island-simple: shared minibuses and open-air trucks link villages on South Tarawa, while motorbikes and bicycles handle the short hops. Boats are the real connectors, cargo-passenger ferries and small outboard skiffs shuttle between the outer islands, typically leaving at dawn when tides and weather align. On land, flag down any minibus with a wave. Fares are cheap and the ride doubles as a rolling community meet-up. First-timers should know there's no formal schedule, boats leave when full or when the sea cooperates, and buses run on "island time." Bring small bills for fares and pack light. Most transfers involve wading to or from a boat. Download the Kiribati Shipping Services app (if coverage allows) for the least-painful way to check which inter-island ferry is sailing this week. From Bonriki International, the only reliable exit is the taxi rank outside arrivals, negotiate the fare before the bags go in, as meters aren't used. Shared minibuses pass the airport road, but they're infrequent and only make sense if you're traveling ultra-light and patient.