It is located close to the southeastern corner of the Tarawa atoll, part of the island country of Kiribati.

In a scenario where a sea level rise of .5 metres (1 ft 8 in) occurs, 71% of Bikenibeu would be flooded by a spring high tide.

[10] The coral reefs provide natural protection to the coastline, important if sea levels rise.

[7] A 2000 report noted large numbers of dead corals on the reef flats on the ocean side, apparently due to past discharges of sewerage.

[11] Other environmental problems caused by the growing population include over-fishing and reduction of useful plants and trees such as coconuts.

[10] As of 1996, South Tarawa was almost continuously settled from the Bonriki International Airport through Bikenibeu to Bairiki in the west.

[1] Migration and population pressure has caused a number of families to build homes on vacant land, becoming squatters.

The Ministry of Health and the nursing school are now housed in a new hospital in the neighbouring village of Nawerewere that was built in 1991 with aid from Japan.

[10] This is the country's main hospital for medicine, surgery and anaesthetics, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, and psychiatry, and includes a laboratory, pharmacy and x-ray facility.

[citation needed] After a cholera epidemic in 1977 a reticulated sewerage system was installed, using sea water as the conveyance medium.

In 1967, the Kiribati Baháʼís set up an independent National Spiritual Assembly with headquarters in Bikenibeu.