Kiribati - Tarawa and Butaritari

Kiribati (pronounced Kiribas) is the nation governing the Gilbert, Line and Phoenix islands groups.  It covers the total area of about 5 million square kilometres.

The Eclipse is total on the northern island of Butaritari.  We will access the island by flying Fiji to Tarawa, then taking a chartered SuperCat from Tarawa to Butaritari. The SuperCat is an 80 passenger catamaran style intra-island ferry used for moving people and cargo between islands.

Kiribati may not be a household name, but the name, Tarawa is well known as a famous and grim WWII battle in the Pacific.  Tarawa is home to hundreds, if not thousands of in-situ WWII relics.  Downed planes, sunken ships, canons, bunkers, propellers and tanks are still scattered across the pock-marked island... mixed in between drying laundry and palm trees.  These many shipwrecks make for amazing undersea breeding grounds for plant and fish life. Snorkelers and divers will find open wrecks at 50 feet and shallower.

At Butaritari, our eclipse site is on the shallow atoll island with a clear, blue lagoon.  The island's low profile with no volcanic peak at the center is a weather advantage, with no point on which clouds might form.  We will observe on the sandy beach near the little runway if weather permits and if clouds threaten, we can move via ferry to intercept clear sky.  (with limited deck viewing space)

Fly Nadi to Tarawa FJ 231 1210/1510
Transfer to the airport for flight to Tarawa. Transfer to hotel Tarawa.
This afternoon, we will have a short tour of Tarawa including the remains of the famous WWII battles, the shipyard, the catholic churches, colorful windows of the churches and the cultural center of the island that promotes the local handicraft materials.
Accommodation: Tarawa Hotel

July 22
Eclipse Day - SuperCat Tarawa - Butaritari
0500 departure by Ferry for Butaritari. Route will take us north past the neighboring islands of Abaiang and Marakei along the way. The MV SuperCat has a cruising speed of 20knots and the trip will take approximately 6-7 hours depending on our route and sea conditions.
Arrival to Butaritari at approximately 12:00 noon local time.
First Contact occurs at 2:42 PM local time
Maximum eclipse is at 3:55 PM local time
Duration of totality is 4:48 at a viewing site on the beach near the Butaritari airstrip.
Fourth Contact occurs at 5:00 PM local time
We will enjoy a celebration barbeque on the beach this evening before departure by SuperCat at approximately 5:30pm.
Return by SuperCat to Tarawa - arrival at approximately 11:30pm
Accommodation: Tarawa Hotel

July 23
Fly Tarawa to Nadi FJ 230 1130/1430

ore you transfer to the airport for your onward flight. B