The Republic of Kiribati (pronounced `kirabas`), previously known as the Gilbert Islands, lies 1,300 miles south of Hawaii. The most familiar of the islands is the Christmas Island, a pristine and remote haven for divers and snorkelers. The waters are largely uncharted, and exciting discoveries are made frequently. Abundant fish life includes 12-feet mantas, sharks, turtles, trevally, morays, lion fish, and millions of smaller colorful reef fish. Visibility usually exceeds 100 feet!

Christmas Island is reached from Honolulu by Air Marshall Island charter with just one flight per week on Tuesdays. This idyllic tropical paradise on the largest coral atoll in the western Pacific is surrounded by virgin reefs teeming with marine life comparable to the best found anywhere in Micronesia. Christmas Island is also a famous bonefishing location. There is very little infrastructure on the island, but the historic Captain Cook Hotel is comfortable and the food is good. Days here are spent diving, snorkeling and fishing, and nights swapping stories with other divers and fishermen. Crab races, weekly luaus with cultural performances and lovely sunsets are the evening activities. You must have a visa to enter Kiribati.