Birnie Island is a small, inhabited coral island, 20 hectares in area, part of the Phoenix Island group, which forms possession of the Republic of Kiribati. It is located about 100 km SE of Kanton Island and 90 km WNW of Rawaki Island, formerly known as Phoenix Island. It lies at (03°35′S171°33′W). Birnie island measures only 1.2 km long and 0.5 km wide. There is no anchorage, but landing can be made on the lee beach.