What animals live in Kiribati?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kiribati sits right in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, so most of its animals are ocean creatures. The reefs around these low, flat islands are packed with sea turtles, reef sharks, manta rays, and hundreds of kinds of fish — parrotfish, tuna, and triggerfish, just to name a few. On land, Kiribati is pretty quiet in the animal department. There are seabirds like frigatebirds and boobies nesting on the islands, and coconut crabs that can climb palm trees and crack open coconuts with their claws — which is something to picture! God designed each of these creatures to fit perfectly into the world He made around these tiny coral islands out in the wide Pacific.

What do kids eat in Kiribati?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kids in Kiribati eat a lot of fish, because these islands sit right in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and the sea is everywhere. Coconut is another big one — people drink the coconut water, eat the white flesh inside, and cook with coconut cream in all kinds of dishes. Rusty wants to add that breadfruit is a starchy fruit that grows on trees across the islands and fills you up the way bread or potatoes might at your dinner table. Taro root is also common — it gets boiled or baked and has a thick, earthy taste. Most meals are simple and come from what the land and ocean provide right there on the islands.

How do people say hello in Kiribati?

In Kiribati, people say hello by saying 'Mauri' (say it like 'mow-ree'). It is a warm greeting that people use all the time — when they meet a friend, welcome a guest, or start a conversation. Herman loves trying to say it just right! Kiribati is made up of tiny islands in the Pacific Ocean, and the people there, called I-Kiribati, are known for being very welcoming. Rusty thinks that is a good reminder — Christians are called to welcome others too, just like Jesus welcomed people from every kind of background. If you ever met someone from Kiribati, you could greet them with 'Mauri' and probably make a friend right away.

What sports or games do kids play in Kiribati?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kids in Kiribati love playing soccer — they call it football — right on the beach or in open village fields. The sandy shores and warm lagoons also make swimming and fishing part of everyday life, not just a sport but a real skill kids learn young. Rusty wants you to know about a traditional game called te ano, which is played with a pandanus-leaf ball. Two teams stand facing each other and try to keep the ball in the air by hitting it back and forth — it takes sharp eyes and quick hands! Games like this have been passed down through Kiribati families for generations, and they are still a big part of how kids have fun and stay connected to their island culture.

What's the weather like in Kiribati?

Kiribati sits right on the equator in the Pacific Ocean, so it stays warm and humid almost every single day of the year. Temperatures hang around 28–32°C (that's the low 80s to 90s in Fahrenheit), and the sun is strong enough to sunburn you fast. The islands get two main seasons — a wetter season from November to April, when heavy rain and sometimes fierce storms roll through, and a drier season the rest of the year. Because the islands are so flat and low — most land sits less than two meters above the ocean — big waves and storm surges can wash right across them, which makes life on these islands genuinely challenging for the people who call Kiribati home.

Tell me a fun fact about Kiribati.

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kiribati holds one of the most surprising records on Earth — it is the only country that sits in all four hemispheres at once. Its islands are scattered across both the Northern and Southern hemispheres, and both the Eastern and Western hemispheres too. Rusty wants to add this gem: Kiribati is also the first place on Earth to see each new day begin. The islands lie right near the International Date Line, so when midnight arrives, the people of Kiribati are among the very first to greet the sunrise. About 120,000 people call those scattered coral islands home, and many of them still need to hear the good news about Jesus in a way that truly reaches their hearts.

What is school like for kids in Kiribati?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! In Kiribati (say it like 'Kiribas'), most kids go to primary school on their home island, often walking or paddling there by canoe. Classes are taught in both Gilbertese, the local language, and English, so kids are learning two languages at once. Rusty wants you to know that secondary schools are fewer and farther between — some kids have to leave their home island and live away from their families just to keep studying. Many schools are run by churches, which means students often hear Bible stories and scripture as part of their day. Pray that children in Kiribati would not just learn reading and numbers, but would come to know and trust Jesus as their Savior.

Who are the unreached people in Kiribati?

Kiribati (say it like 'Kiri-bas') is a string of tiny coral islands in the Pacific Ocean, and most people there have heard some Christian teaching. But one group that remains largely unreached is the I-Kiribati people living on the outer, more remote islands, where the gospel has not taken deep root. Many follow a mix of church tradition and old local beliefs without truly knowing Jesus as their Savior. There are also small communities of people from other Pacific nations and some workers from Asia living in Kiribati who have very little access to the gospel in their own heart languages. Herman and Rusty think it is worth praying that God would raise up strong I-Kiribati Christians who love Jesus deeply and carry the good news to every island, near and far, so that people would trust Jesus — not just know His name.

How can I pray for the people of Kiribati?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kiribati (say it like 'Kiribas') is a chain of tiny coral islands scattered across the Pacific Ocean, and the people there need the same thing every person on earth needs — to know Jesus as their Savior. You can pray that the good news about Jesus reaches every village on every island, and that people believe and trust Him with their whole hearts. Rusty wants to add a few more prayer ideas! Ask God to make the local churches in Kiribati strong and faithful, and to raise up Kiribati leaders who can teach the Bible to their own people in their own language. Pray for missionaries who travel there — that they stay safe and find open doors to share the gospel. And pray for the children and families of Kiribati, that they would grow up knowing and loving Jesus.

What is a holiday or celebration in Kiribati?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! One of the biggest celebrations in Kiribati is Independence Day, held on July 12th. That's the day in 1979 when Kiribati became its own nation, separate from British rule. People gather on the maneaba — that's a big open meeting house made of wood and palm leaves — to sing, dance, and share food together. Rusty loves this part: the traditional dancing in Kiribati is something special. Dancers wear garlands made from shells and leaves, and they move their hands and arms in careful, flowing patterns that tell stories. Many Christians in Kiribati also celebrate Christmas and Easter, gathering in churches to worship Jesus. It's a reminder that even on a tiny island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, people are praising the same God we read about in the Bible.

What language do people speak in Kiribati?

Great question! People in Kiribati speak two languages: Gilbertese and English. Gilbertese is the language that the people of Kiribati have spoken for hundreds of years, and it belongs to a language family called Micronesian. English is also an official language, taught in schools across the islands. Gilbertese has some interesting sounds and patterns that are very different from English. The good news is that the Bible has been translated into Gilbertese, which means people in Kiribati can read about Jesus in their own heart language. When people hear God's Word in the language they grew up speaking, it goes deep — and that is a real gift.

What's a famous place to visit in Kiribati?

Herman here! One of the most well-known places in Kiribati is Tarawa Atoll, the capital. It's a thin strip of land curving around a huge lagoon, and the water there is so clear you can see straight to the bottom. During World War II, a fierce battle was fought on Tarawa, and people still visit to remember what happened there. Rusty jumping in! Kiribati is made up of 33 islands scattered across a huge stretch of the Pacific Ocean. Most of the islands are atolls, which means they're low, flat rings of coral built up just above the sea. Life there centers on fishing, coconut palms, and small villages — it's a quiet, remote part of the world where many people have heard very little about Jesus, which is why missionaries who go there carry such important news.

Kiribati — Kids Missions Explorer

Frigatebird

The great frigatebird soars over Kiribati's atolls for hours without flapping, using rising air currents to stay aloft while hunting fish near the surface.

Green Sea Turtle

Green sea turtles nest on the sandy beaches of Kiribati's remote islands, and local people have long known them as an important part of the ocean world around them.

Manta Ray

Manta rays glide through the warm lagoons of Kiribati like underwater kites, feeding on tiny plankton they scoop up as they swim with their mouths wide open.

Babai

Babai is a starchy root vegetable grown in deep pit gardens on the atolls, and it has been a staple food for I-Kiribati families for generations.

Coconut toddy (kamaimai)

Kamaimai is a sweet sap collected from coconut flower buds each morning and drunk fresh, tasting something like a mild sugary juice.

Roasted breadfruit

Breadfruit is roasted directly over coals until the outside chars and the inside becomes soft and starchy, eaten warm as a filling everyday meal.

Kiribati

Things you should know about Kiribati

Wildlife you might meet

What’s on the table

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Life in Kiribati

Missions in Kiribati

Pray for Kiribati