Tarawa (Betio Islet) - Clearance
See the Formalities page for full details of clearance.
Tarawa Radio should be called on VHF Channel 16 when approaching the island and given your ETA. Be prepared to give vessel and crew details as well. The Marine Guard keeps 24-hour watch on 500, 2182 and 6215 MHz.
VHF Channel 16 is monitored only during office hours (08:00-12:30, 13:30-16:15 Monday to Friday).
Having been advised beforehand, officials will be waiting in Betio when the yacht arrives. Be ready to transfer the officials to your boat with your dinghy.
Vessels with a draft of more than two meters (six feet) should tie up to the commercial wharf on the way into Betio or anchor in the quarantine area just west of the main jetty in Betio.
The officials are friendly and clearance is simple. Clearance does not seem to be possible at weekends.
You will then need to go to Biariki Island (bus ride is an easy and interesting experience) to complete formalities with the Immigration department.
Visiting Other Gilbert Islands
Information from cruisers who visited in 2015 is that it is not possible to obtain permission to visit any other islands before checking in at Tarawa.
To visit other islands after checking-in, you will need to write a letter to the Principal Immigration Officer requesting permission – at least three days prior to your intended departure. You will also need to clear with Customs to visit other islands.
Furthermore, it is not possible to obtain permission to visit other islands after leaving Tarawa unless you intend to return to Tarawa to obtain outward clearance.
Check the Ministry of Immigration and Foreign Affairs website for current information.
Information on obtain permits to visit the Phoenix Islands Protected Area can be obtained from the PIPA website.
Last updated: May 2019
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Related to following destinations: Gilbert Islands, Kiribati, Tarawa (Betio Islet)
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