If you were born here your life expectancy is 67 years but you will outlive this island because it will disappear within 50 years because of rising sea levels.  The highest point is only 9 ft above sea level.  Most of it is already underwater.  It will be the Atlantis of the future. The homes are built on stilts and apparently have no walls.

Pacific is largest ocean in the world. Kiribati nation covers one of the largest geographical area in the world….1 million square miles but is comprised of only 33 island … this one we are stopping at is 33 sq kilometres or 13 square miles.

Kiribati straddles all 4 hemispheres. It was also known as the Gilbert Islands.

British were there from 1888…. Paid out a 10 million AUS $$$ payment when they left

Tabuaeran atoll is also the name for Fanning Island

Their source of income comes from coconuts, cobra fibre, seaweed farms as well phosphate mining.

At only 13 sq miles, it is not a usual international cruise ship stop.  This year they will only have 2 stopping here ….both HAL.  Next year will be 3 times.  It used to be used by NCL because it flew the international flag, so it had to abide by the Jones Act and had to go to a foreign port before returning to the Hawaiians Islands or the US mainland.  While using it as a stop they built a number of facilities. After Covid they flew the US lag and don’t have to stop here anymore.

Day 20-Monday Oct 14/24 or Tuesday Oct 15/24 for the people of Fanning because we have crossed the International Dateline. We are not changing ours for today’s crossover.

This morning as we approach Fanning Island with everyone so looking forward to setting foot on this beautiful atoll, the captain comes on the intercom to tell us that we will not be going ashore. The winds are coming from the south instead of the south-east causing a 3-4 knot plus swell with standing waves……a washing machine effect, at the entrance to the lagoon.  The ship can’t deploy the platform that the tenders are launched from (they are only one foot out of the water). Because of those swells etc. preventing us from going ashore, we are just going to cruise around but keeping a fair distance from shore. There have been no charts made since 1898. So……the captain is not taking a chance by getting any closer.

Only a population of just over 2000 with only 2 vehicles with no paved roads on the island. In 1798 it was discovered by Europeans. Phosphate is mined, fishing, harvesting of coc meat, cobra 

Below are a whole lot of pictures of this amazing atoll in the middle of nowhere. The colours of the water in the inside of the atoll are spectacular.

The national bird is the frigate bird. It can stay afloat for weeks at a time.