Ocean View Motel

Ocean View Motel is situated in Abaokoro village on North Tarawa, positioned on one of the northern sections of the Tarawa atoll system and reachable from South Tarawa by ferry across the lagoon. The motel's name reflects its setting directly: Abaokoro occupies a narrow strip of land between the open Pacific Ocean to the north and the broad Tarawa lagoon to the south, affording guests views of both major water bodies from a single location. The Island Council station and the main ferry landing point for North Tarawa are located within walking distance of the property.

The motel offers simple rooms ventilated by ceiling fans, in keeping with the modest infrastructure typical of North Tarawa's accommodation options. Air conditioning is not generally available at this property, but the natural cross-breeze at the Abaokoro location — exposed to open ocean — makes fan-cooled rooms more comfortable than comparable rooms in the more sheltered, humid environment of South Tarawa's urban centre. Rooms include basic furnishings, mosquito nets, and en-suite or shared bathroom facilities depending on room type. The property is maintained to a clean and functional standard consistent with North Tarawa's village-oriented visitor market.

A small restaurant operates on site, serving meals for guests and occasional travelers. The menu focuses on locally sourced ingredients — fish, coconut, and produce from the islet — prepared in a straightforward I-Kiribati style. Meal times are generally aligned with the family's schedule, and advance notice for dinner is appreciated. The motel's remote setting means grocery resupply depends on the inter-island ferry schedule, so food availability can vary.

Staying at Ocean View Motel places guests at the gateway to North Tarawa's string of largely uninhabited or sparsely populated islets, increasingly noted as the more environmentally intact portion of the Tarawa atoll. The lagoon waters off Abaokoro are notably cleaner than those near South Tarawa's urban core, and snorkeling directly from the beach reveals healthy coral formations and diverse reef fish. Walking along the ocean-facing shore exposes the full force of the Pacific swell, in striking contrast to the sheltered lagoon just metres away on the southern side.

The ferry connecting Abaokoro to South Tarawa's Betio ferry terminal runs on a schedule that visitors should confirm locally before travel, as timings vary with sea conditions and operational factors. The crossing takes approximately 45 to 90 minutes. Rates at the Ocean View Motel range from approximately AUD 50 to AUD 90 per night, representing sound value for a quiet, ecologically richer alternative to South Tarawa. The property is best suited to travelers with an interest in snorkeling, low-key fishing, and observing traditional I-Kiribati village life in a less commercially developed environment.