An Atoll located in the Pacific Ocean, Butaritari Island is a part of the Republic of Kiribati. Butaritari Island was previously known as Kleine-Makin, Makin, Pitt Island, Taritari Island, or Touching Island. With an area of about 13.6 Square Kilometers, Butaritari Island is located in the Northern part of the Kiribati group. Butaritari Island is one of the largest atolls in the Gilberts chain of Kiribati and is situated South of Makin and North of the Equator. The Butaritari atoll reef is continuous but is almost without any islets in the Northern sides. In the North East,at about a distance of 3 Kilometers there is a linear reef features three islands with habitats. These three islands are Makin, Kiebu, and Onne. The Butaritari Island Lagoon is open to exchange with the ocean and is therefore very dynamic.
Butaritari Island in the Kiribati Island can be accessed via ships and also by air. Ships from Betio and Tarawa Island depart regularly for Butaritari Island and Flights from Tarawa Island to Butaritari Island are also very frequent. Butaritari Island has a population of about 4,200(approx) and includes the settlements of Butaritari, Keuea, Kuma, Tanimaiaki, Tekabetete. Butaritari Island is one of the most lush island of the region . This greenery of the island is mainly due to very good rainfall which is around 4 m per year.
The sheer beauty of Butaritari Island is its natural treasures. Like most of the Kiribati Islands, nature has bestowed Butaritari Island with its gems and the greenery all around are bound to intoxicate any visitor.
Uma