Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, Kiribati uses Pacific/Tarawa, currently +12 (UTC+12:00). No clock changes are scheduled in the next 12 months.
Tarawa is the capital of Kiribati, with a population of about 40,300. Unlike many places, it does not observe daylight saving time.
The band below is your local scale — accent shows when everyone's business hours overlap. Add or remove a city on the left and this updates too.
Written for people arriving, calling in, or planning a trip around the time difference.
South Tarawa's narrow strip of land holds most shops, government offices, and guesthouses within a linear stretch that's easy to navigate along the main road. Accommodation options are limited, so booking ahead is advisable regardless of which part of the atoll you choose.
The lagoon and ocean-side beaches are pleasant to explore for much of the day given the relatively consistent equatorial climate, though early mornings offer the calmest conditions for swimming or snorkeling. War history sites are also scattered along the atoll.
Minibuses run along the main road covering most of South Tarawa, while taxis offer a more direct option. The atoll's narrow, linear shape makes navigation straightforward even without prior local knowledge of the area.
Kiribati's equatorial location keeps temperatures warm and fairly steady year-round, with the months around July through October tending to be somewhat drier and more comfortable for outdoor activity and travel between islets.
Kiribati uses the AUD, calling code +686.
Kiribati uses the Australian dollar, and English is an official language alongside Gilbertese, the language most widely spoken in daily life. English generally serves visitors well in and around the capital.
