Kiribati

Kiribati, pronounced “Kiri-bass”, is made up of a string of islands and atolls in the Pacific Ocean. Once ruled by the British, this now-independent island republic saw some of the bloodiest conflicts of the Pacific theatre in WW2. As such, there are many historic remnants to explore, including pillboxes, gun emplacements and fortifications, both above and below the water. Its capital city, South Tarawa, is spread out of several small islands and is densely populated and pretty intense.

Kiribati is not a destination that provides the perfect tourism experience. Getting around will require a little ingenuity and its hotels and resorts are not glamorous. However, it is a fascinating country if you’re looking for a wild adventure. Its string of islands boasts many beaches and lagoons, with their long and winding white sand beaches, flanked by palm trees moving in the wind, offering up typical tropical beauty. Plus, the beaches are perfectly scenic, with pools to explore with a snorkel or impressive atolls to discover on foot. One of the highlights of Kiribati is the Phoenix Island Marine Protected Area, the largest protected marine area in the world. Diving and snorkelling tours can be arranged and are completely mesmerizing.