Banaba Island

The island of Banaba lies just south of the equator and is one of the westernmost islands of the Gilbert archipelago. Phosphate mining has destroyed most of Banaba and the landscape consists of stark coral pinnacles protruding from burning white rock during the mining process. The island is littered with rusted mining equipment.

Only a small fringe of the island has not been mined and there, some vegetation supports a few hundred souls. Most of Banaba's original population has been resettled on Rabi Island in Fiji at the end of WWII. There, they had to buy plots of land, so they wouldn't return to Banaba. The remaining population clings fervently to their culture and maintain links with their kinsfolk on Rabi.

Facilities on Banaba are very limited, so you'll need approval from the island council before you arrive there. The only way to get to Banaba is by private yacht. The island is 310 km southwest of Tarawa.