Tabuaeran, also known as Fanning Island, received its first post COVID-19 cruise ship on Saturday 04 March 2023.
Better known for its left-hand surf breaks, fly fishing flats with abundant Bonefish, Giant Trevally and Milk fish and an ideal all year-round tropical climate, the islander of Tabuaeran welcomed the MS Koningsdam and her 2,452 passengers with a cultural display of song and dance.
Once on land, some passengers used the opportunity to swim, snorkel and fish in the island’s azure lagoon, whilst others opted for leisurely island tour, including school visit and handicraft shopping.
Passenger Carrey Moffett said the island was “Something out about of a movie or a postcard’. He added that “this is what I picture when I hear the term ’South Pacific even though we were technically still in the North Pacific”.
A team from the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) Kiritimati officer led by Senior Tourism Officer, Tekonaba Teburea also travelled to Tabuaeran to assist the islanders with activities on the day.
Tabuaeran Is one of the few islands in Kiribati that offer the beaten track cruise ship experience. Other islands visited by cruise ships in the past include Kiritimati, Kanton, Butaritari, Tarawa and Abemama.
