The Truth Might Surprise You.
For years, people have believed that Tonga is the first place to see the sun every day. It’s been featured in news reports, tourism ads, and even social media posts as the first country to welcome daylight.
But what if I told you that’s actually wrong?
The real first place to see the sunrise isn’t Tonga—it’s Kiribati, specifically Kiritimati (Christmas Island).
In this blog, we’ll break down:
Why Kiribati, not Tonga, gets the first sunrise
How a time zone shift in 1995 changed everything
Why Tonga is still mistakenly believed to be first
Let’s dive in!
Why Does Everyone Think Tonga Sees the Sun First?
If you Google “first country to see the sun,” you’ll likely see Tonga mentioned everywhere. But why does this myth persist?
Tonga’s Global Recognition – Tonga is a well-known Pacific Island nation, whereas Kiribati is lesser known.
Tourism Marketing – Tonga has branded itself as “The First to See the Sun” for years, creating a strong (but misleading) narrative.
New Year’s Eve Coverage – Every year, the global media highlights Tonga as one of the first places to welcome the new year, reinforcing the misconception.
But here’s the truth: Tonga is not the first place to see the sun.
The Reality: Kiribati’s Kiritimati Island Sees the Sun First
In 1995, Kiribati made a bold decision that changed history—they moved Kiritimati and the Line Islands into the UTC+14 time zone.
Why Did Kiribati Change Time Zones?
Before 1995, Kiribati was split across two different dates, making it incredibly confusing for the country.
To fix this, the government shifted the Line Islands to UTC+14, ensuring that all of Kiribati was in the same date.
The result?
Kiribati’s Kiritimati (Christmas Island) officially became the first place in the world to see the sunrise, beating Tonga by a full hour.
So every single day, the first rays of sunlight touch Kiribati—not Tonga.
Why Do People Still Think It’s Tonga?
If Kiribati gets the sunrise first, why do so many people still believe it’s Tonga?
Outdated Information – Before 1995, Tonga was one of the first places to see the sun, but many sources never updated their facts.
Tonga’s Tourism & Media Push – Tonga actively promotes itself as the first, and since it's more globally recognized than Kiribati, people assume it’s true.
New Year’s Celebrations – Since Tonga is one of the first major countries to celebrate New Year's, it gets more attention than Kiribati, further spreading the myth.
But the reality remains: Kiribati wins the sunrise race every day.
Bonus Tip: What This Means for Travelers & Sunrise Chasers
If you want to literally be the first human on Earth to see the sun rise, you need to travel to Kiritimati, Kiribati—not Tonga.
However, if you’re looking for one of the first major countries to celebrate a new day, Tonga is still a great choice—but it’s NOT the first place to see the sunrise.
Final Thoughts: Now You Know the Truth
So there you have it—Tonga does NOT see the sun first. Kiribati does.
What do you think?
Did this surprise you? Drop a comment below!
Share this with a friend who still thinks Tonga is first.
Next time someone says Tonga sees the sun first… hit them with the truth!
Watch this quick YouTube video by Sandy Novan Wijaya to see the truth in action!
See you in the next post!
