Banaba Island

Banaba Island (isolated), Kiribati

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Banaba Island, also known as Ocean Island, is a small and isolated island in Kiribati, located west of the main Gilbert Islands.

Unlike most of Kiribati’s low-lying coral atolls, Banaba is a raised limestone island and contains the country’s highest point, reaching about 87 meters above sea level. The island is best known for its rich phosphate deposits, which were extensively mined throughout the 20th century. While the mining industry generated significant wealth for colonial powers, it caused severe environmental damage and led to the displacement of many Banaban people, who were resettled on Rabi Island in Fiji after World War II.

Today, Banaba is sparsely populated and is remembered for both its unique landscape and its important historical legacy. The island stands as a symbol of resilience, cultural identity, and the long-term impacts of resource extraction on small island communities.