Key facts
- COVERAGE
- Kiribati
- NETWORKS
- ATHKL
- PLAN TYPE
- Data only
- IP ADDRESS LOCATION
- Netherlands
- DELIVERY
- QR code by email
How it works
- 1Choose a plan and pay.
- 2Scan the QR code we email you. You can install it before you fly.
- 3When you land in Kiribati, turn on data roaming for the Spidot line.
Questions about the Kiribati eSIM
Which networks does it use?
Do I get a local phone number?
Can I use it outside Kiribati?
How do I install it?
Will my phone work with an eSIM?
Can I make video calls from Kiribati?
Will I have mobile data at a fishing lodge on Kiritimati?
Should I download everything before I go?
What time zone will my phone show?
Is one plan enough for a long work assignment?
Kiribati eSIM guide: mobile data on Tarawa, Kiritimati and the outer atolls
Kiribati is a nation of low coral atolls and reef islands spread across a vast area of the central Pacific, straddling the equator. Its islands fall into three groups: the Gilbert Islands in the west, where the capital, South Tarawa, is found; the Phoenix Islands in the middle, home to one of the largest marine protected areas in the world; and the Line Islands in the east, including Kiritimati, also known as Christmas Island. Because of its position near the international date line, parts of Kiribati are among the first places on Earth to greet each new day.
Visitors are relatively few: people working with government, aid and development organisations, returning family, fly-fishing and birdwatching enthusiasts on Kiritimati, divers, and travellers interested in the Second World War history of Tarawa. For all of them, mobile data is valuable but more limited than in larger countries. This guide explains how a Kiribati eSIM from Spidot fits in, how to plan your data use, what to do on arrival and what to expect from connectivity across the islands.
What to expect from connectivity in Kiribati
Kiribati is remote, and its islands are small and widely separated by ocean. International internet traffic travels a long way, and connectivity depends on infrastructure that is more limited than in larger countries. Mobile coverage is concentrated in the main populated areas, particularly South Tarawa and the main settlements on Kiritimati, with limited or no coverage on many outer islands.
It helps to arrive with modest expectations. Messaging, email, maps and browsing are generally practical where there is signal. Large uploads, long video calls and streaming may be slower and less reliable than you are used to, and can be affected at busy times or during outages. Plan to download what you need before you travel.
Your options for mobile data in Kiribati
The main options are roaming on your home SIM, a local SIM, or a travel eSIM installed before you leave.
Roaming on your home SIM
Many home providers do not include Kiribati in their roaming bundles, and where roaming is available it can be expensive. Check whether your provider supports roaming in Kiribati at all, and at what rate, before you rely on it.
A local SIM
Local SIMs are available in South Tarawa and may require identification. A local number can be useful for longer stays, for local calls and for contacting businesses and guesthouses that prefer phone calls. Availability in outer islands is limited, so arrange this in the main centres.
A Spidot eSIM
With a travel eSIM you buy a plan online, receive a QR code by email and install it at home, so you have data when you land without needing to find a shop. Plans for Kiribati start from $34.90. Your own SIM stays active for calls and texts where your provider offers roaming. Plans are data-only unless you choose Data + calls; messaging apps cover most contact with family, colleagues and accommodation.
Planning how much data you need
Data use in Kiribati tends to be lower than at home, partly because connections can be slower and partly because there is less need for navigation and transport apps on small atolls. The figures below are rough estimates for planning, not exact measurements.
- Messaging and email: usually under 100 MB a day, more with photos and voice notes.
- Voice calls over messaging apps: roughly 1 MB a minute or less.
- Video calls: roughly 500 MB to 1 GB an hour where the connection allows.
- Maps: light, especially with offline maps downloaded in advance.
- Uploading photos: a few MB per photo; video uses much more.
Choosing a plan
For a short visit with messaging, email and some photo sharing, a small or mid-sized fixed data plan is often enough. For longer work assignments, consider a larger plan, and use your accommodation's or office's connection where it is available. If you visit the Pacific several times a year, a no-expiry plan lets unused data carry over. See the prices page for current options.
Install the eSIM and prepare before you travel
Install the eSIM at home on a fast Wi-Fi connection. Make sure your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked; dialling *#06# shows an EID on most eSIM phones. Then follow the install guide for iPhone, Samsung or Pixel.
- Label the new line Kiribati or Travel.
- Set the Spidot line for mobile data and keep your home SIM for calls and texts.
- Turn off data roaming on your home SIM if your provider charges for Kiribati.
- Download offline maps of Tarawa, Kiritimati or any islands you will visit.
- Download documents, films, music, podcasts and app updates before you leave home.
- Save flight bookings, accommodation details and contact numbers offline, and carry printed copies.
- Set your phone and laptop to install updates only on Wi-Fi so they do not use your data.
Arriving in Kiribati
International flights to Kiribati are infrequent and usually connect through other Pacific hubs, such as Fiji. Bonriki International Airport serves South Tarawa, and Cassidy International Airport serves Kiritimati in the Line Islands. Because the islands are so far apart, travelling between the Gilbert Islands and the Line Islands often involves long journeys. Check schedules carefully, as they can change.
- Turn off flight mode after landing.
- Turn on data roaming for the Spidot line; the data roaming guide shows where the setting is.
- Give the phone a few minutes to find a network, and restart it once if nothing happens.
- If you have no signal at the airport, connect once you reach your accommodation in town.
Coverage across the islands
Your eSIM uses local partner networks; for this plan they are ATHKL. Coverage is focused on the most populated places, and the phone chooses automatically where there is a network.
South Tarawa
South Tarawa is a chain of islets linked by causeways along the southern edge of the Tarawa lagoon, from Bonriki and Bairiki to Betio at the western end. It is the most connected part of the country. Betio was the site of a major battle in 1943, and wartime relics such as coastal guns and bunkers can still be seen there. North Tarawa, reached by boat or across the reef, is much quieter, with limited connectivity.
Kiritimati and the Line Islands
Kiritimati is one of the largest coral atolls in the world by land area, known for bonefishing on its lagoon flats and for large seabird colonies. Its main villages, such as London and Tabwakea, are where you are most likely to find a connection. Fishing lodges and remote flats are often without mobile signal, and some lodges offer their own Wi-Fi.
Outer islands and the Phoenix Islands
Many outer islands of the Gilbert group have limited or no mobile data, and the Phoenix Islands are largely uninhabited. If you travel beyond the main centres, expect to be offline for much of the time and arrange communication plans with your hosts or employer.
Boats, lagoons and staying safe
Life in Kiribati revolves around the ocean and the lagoons. Boat trips, fishing, diving and snorkelling are major reasons to visit, but they take you away from coverage quickly.
- Do not rely on a mobile phone for safety at sea; operators should carry their own communications and safety equipment.
- Keep your phone in a waterproof pouch on boats and near the water.
- Tell someone your plans and expected return time before going out.
- Strong sun and heat can make phones overheat; keep them in the shade.
- Check weather and sea conditions with local operators before setting off.
Payments, power and practical tips
Kiribati uses the Australian dollar. Cash is the main way to pay in many places, and card acceptance is limited, so bring enough cash for your stay and check the availability of ATMs in advance. English is an official language alongside Kiribati, also known as Gilbertese, and learning a few local greetings is appreciated.
- Carry a power bank, and charge devices whenever you can, as power supply can be interrupted.
- Ask before photographing people and villages, and dress modestly.
- Respect local customs in a maneaba, the traditional meeting house, and follow your host's lead.
- Bring any adapters you need; ask your accommodation about the plug type before you travel.
Hotspot use and Wi-Fi
Some hotels, guesthouses, offices and lodges offer Wi-Fi, which may be shared by many users and limited at busy times. Your eSIM can share data with a laptop or another phone through Personal Hotspot (iPhone) or Mobile Hotspot (Android). On a limited connection, pause cloud sync, photo backup and automatic updates, which can quickly use your data.
- Use mobile data rather than shared Wi-Fi for banking where possible.
- Check network names with staff before connecting.
- Turn off auto-join for open networks.
- Avoid entering passwords on pages without https.
Combining Kiribati with other Pacific destinations
Most visitors pass through other Pacific countries on the way to Kiribati, especially Fiji, and some combine their trip with Samoa, Tonga or Australia. A Kiribati plan is designed for use in Kiribati, so the simplest approach for a multi-country trip is one eSIM per country. Install them before you leave home and switch the active data line when you arrive in each country.
Keeping track of your data
You can check how much data is left at any time and add more data to the same eSIM. Top up while you have a working connection, especially before travelling to an outer island. If data stops working, check that data roaming is on for the Spidot line, restart the phone and try again in a busier area. For other problems, email support@spidot.com with the email address you used to order.