Christmas Island, (aka Kiritimati) is an Island that is part of the Republic of Kiribati. Kiribati (pronounced Kiribas) is an independent republic within the Commonwealth of Nations, and is located in the central Pacific Ocean, about 1,300 miles southwest of Hawaii. It is part of the division of the Pacific islands that is known as Micronesia.
Christmas Island has long been regarded as one of the premier flats fishing destinations in the world. The Island has an incredible year-round fishery largely unaffected by weather and seasons. The diversity of fish species you can target include bonefish, giant trevally, bluefin trevally, golden trevally, striped trevally, spotted trevally, dusky trevally, Titan and Yellow Margin triggerfish, milkfish and countless species of reef fish. Coupled with 150 square miles of easily wadable hard white sand coral flats in the Inner Lagoon, endless ocean side coral reefs teaming with fish and incredible blue water opportunities, Christmas Island’s diverse fishery ensures that each day will bring an exciting new angling experience.
Christmas Island (or you may prefer call it Kiritimati), as it is known in the local Gilbertese language, is the largest coral atoll found anywhere in the world. Located roughly 1300 miles south of Honolulu, Kiritimati (Christmas) is one of the 33 islands that make up the tiny island republic of Kiribati. Christmas Island has long been a destination for anglers who seek out the island’s incredible bonefishing, as well as the solid numbers of giant trevally, blue trevally, golden trevally, triggerfish, milkfish and many other species. The flats on Christmas Island are a wade fisherman’s dream. Seemingly endless hard white sand flats stretch for miles across the inner lagoon while coral flats line the outer island. The island is largely undeveloped and local culture and life remain vibrant across the landscape. The Republic of Kiribati is a land famous for its white sandy beaches, for its waves crashing upon the shore, and for its awesomely beautiful sunsets. One of the smallest Republics on Earth, it is unique in its own culture, values, and tradition.
Lodging
The fishing experience on and around Kiritimati is truly world-class. Though often mentioned in angling circles as one of the finest bonefisheries in the world, Christmas Island’s greatest strength is its multi-species opportunities. It is not uncommon for an angler to bring to land over a dozen exotic species in a single week of fishing. In fact, some of the lodge guests have recorded two dozen unique species over the course of their week-long visit. The diversity not only of saltwater species but of all the saltwater fisheries on Kiritimati is one of the many aspects of the Island angling experience that draws anglers back year after year. The famed Inner Lagoon, which is accessed by the Lodge’s private boat launch, is merely an eight-minute drive from the lodge, and includes 150 square miles of endless white hard sand flats and aquamarine-colored channels that are home to countless bonefish, triggerfish and trevally among many other species.
The Backcountry Area of the atoll is entirely different. Much of the fishing in the Backcountry is done by walking waterside on a coral rim, inches above the lapping wavelets of blue-green aquatic expanse.
Often, anglers won’t get their wading boots wet until a fish is hooked at which point, entry into the calf-deep flats increases the likelihood of a successful fight. Any and all species inhabit the Backcountry with many large Giant Trevally and Triggerfish being landed on a regular basis by Fish Nation anglers at the Lodge.
A third area to fish is the southwestern shore of the island, known commonly as the Korean Wreck – (due to a large Korean freighter that was shipwrecked on the reef many years ago) – offers inner reef fishing just inside the breaking waves that teems with all species available to Kiritimati anglers including some of the largest giant and bluefin trevally, countless green-hued bonefish, massive schools of milkfish, emperor fish, Christmas Island wrasse, parrotfish, surgeonfish, blacktip sharks and reef fish too numerous to mention. All in all, the fisheries of the planet’s largest coral atoll offer a diversity in fish and fishing experiences that create for a unique and unforgettable angling adventure.
TIMING OF YOUR TRIP:
What’s the best Time? The answer to this questions is simple… Any time of the year that fits your schedule! Since Christmas Island is located near the equator, variations in weather and temperature patterns are essentially non-existent. Daytime temps regularly hover around 85 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius) and nighttime lows rest at a comfortable 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius). The variation in average daily temperatures varies approximately 1 degree throughout the calendar year. Kiribati has a tropical rainforest climate. From April to October, there are predominant northeastern winds and stable temperatures close to 30 °C (86 °F). From November to April, western gales bring rain.
Tides, however, do have a significant impact on flats fishing. Spring tides occur during full and new moon phases which result in the most dramatic fluctuations in tidal swings. These are excellent times to consider booking if Giant Trevally is your primary target species. Neap tides occur during quarter moon phases of the lunar month and result in less rise and fall of the water depth which creates longer lasting conditions ideal for bonefishing and roaming the inner lagoon flats. Booking a transition week at the lodge will provide a combination of both scenarios.
The bonefishing on Christmas Island is incredible. In the inner lagoon when the tides are right, the flats are teeming with bonefish, eager to take a fly. Anglers will have numerous shots at fish averaging three pounds; but Bonefish from five to seven pounds are common.
Patient anglers that wait for the right fish will have shots at fish up to ten pounds! Triggerfish have become a guest favorite with multiple shots at these colorful and hard fighting fish each day. Giant, spotted, striped, bluefin and golden trevally are common sights on the flats of Christmas Island. These fish will cruise the flats or hang right off the edges and greedily attack your fly.
Many anglers coming to Christmas Island are eager to target giant trevally (GTs). These supercharged and highly aggressive fish will leave any seasoned angler weak in the knees. Guides at this Lodge do not chum, nor do they condone chumming for GTs on Christmas Island. If you want to catch a GT on the fly – you need to commit your time and focus. The Lodge guides will carry your 12wt rod rigged and ready in case any opportunity presents itself; however the best way to catch a GT is to target these fish exclusively. For those interested in targeting GTs, be prepared for long days hunting these apex predators. You might only get one shot a day but it will make you keep coming back for more!
This 20 acre private land parcel is a very unique and quiet area of the Island, and the Lodge offers 5 ocean-side private and recently remodeled bungalows constructed of coral stone and traditional thatch roofs. Each bungalow provides two private suites with a fully stocked refrigerator, air conditioning, fan and an en suite bathroom with shower among many other amenities. Nothing fancy, but very comfortable. Hosting a maximum of 10 anglers ensures private accommodations and a relaxed small group atmosphere. The expansive, well-maintained oceanside property provides the opportunity to indulge in evening cocktails and appetizers while recounting fishing stories in their open air lounge while waves crash on the beach only steps away. The choice is yours but the solitude you will experience at this Island Lodge is like none other found on the Island. You have immediate access to the surf and its angling opportunities, as well as a short drive to the private back-of-the-lagoon access which only Lodge guests may enjoy. This results in your arriving first each morning to the most remote corners of the inner lagoon and also allows you to be the last anglers fishing at the end of the day. Due to the lodge’s location far from the hubbub of London or Paris located on the western end of the island, Lodge guests spend less time en route to the most desirable angling destinations on the island including the famed Korean Wreck and the Huff Dam. With these advantages, plus its excellent guide and lodge staff, its good Starlink wifi connectivity and the small group atmosphere (maximum of 10 hosted anglers each week), there is no better option on Kiritimati!
The Lodge is connected to a new solar electrical system recently constructed on Kiritimati. As long as the sun is shining, the lodge will have power to support your various communication devices. And their private generator ensures that in the event of unexpected downtime on the solar grid, they are always able to provide power for guests. With the advent of the new global internet system known as Starlink, the Lodge provides the fastest internet service available within the Kiribati republic. Additionally, satellite communication though Inmarsat and Iridium are good options for traveling anglers. Zoleo and Garmin InReach are also useful tools to stay connected during your stay on Kiritimati when away from the lodge.
SIGHTSEEING: Kiritimati is a very rustic and remote island location far from modern-day civilization. Most travelers who visit Christmas Island do so to experience the world-class angling. However, the island offers other activities such as birdwatching, diving and snorkeling, surfing, Operation Grapple relics tour, Cultural & Community tour, North & South Point Island tour and sightseeing including other arranged tours such as Crab hunting and scoop net fishing.
TRAVEL: Most travelers arrive to Christmas Island via Fiji Airways from Honolulu. There is only one flight in and out of the island per week. When traveling from the US, it is extremely important to note that you will be crossing the International Date Line. The islands’ spread straddles the equator and the 180th meridian, making Kiribati the only country in the world located simultaneously in all four hemispheres: the Northern, Southern, Western, and Eastern hemispheres.
Christmas Island is serviced by Fiji Airways once weekly from Honolulu, Hawaii (HNL) and Nadi, Fiji (NAN). The airport on Christmas Island is very small and easy to navigate. The airport code is CXI. Flights from Honolulu arrive at 3:20pm after a noon departure from Honolulu. These flights depart on Tuesdays, arriving on Wednesdays, one day later due to crossing the international date line. All Fiji Airways flights from Nadi leave every Tuesday at 11:50pm, arriving on Christmas Island (CXI) at 6:45am on Wednesday. When making your flight reservations with Fiji Airways, search for the departing flight on Tuesdays and the returning flight on Wednesdays from CXI. All travelers to Kiribati are required to posses a valid COVID vaccination card in order to enter the country. No pre-trip or post-arrival COVID testing is required. After clearing immigration/customs, you’ll be met by members of the Lodge staff and immediately transferred to the lodge. It’s approximately a ten-minute drive from the airport to the bungalows. You will then be dropped off at your private bungalow where you can settle in, relax and prepare for an exceptional week of angling adventure!
Standard Christmas Island Lodge Package
These 7 night/6 day all-inclusive packages include: lodgings, meals, bottled water, beer/wine/sodas, 6 days of guided fishing, laundry service, pick up/drop off from/to CXI airport, transportation while on Kiritimati, fishing license and 12.5% VAT. The price you pay varies with whether you want a private room and private guide; a shared room; a shared guide or both a shared room and a shared guide.
Packages DO NOT include: a recommended 15-20 % guide/staff gratuity; alcoholic beverages other than beer/wine (spirits available at the HNL and NAN duty free stores) or airfare to/from CXI airport, fishing equipment, terminal tackle, flies, or lures. Christmas Island Lodge does not provide rental equipment so make sure that you come well-equipped!
Here are the different booking options with Fish Nation:
7 night/6 day all-inclusive Standard Package includes: six days of 1×1 guided fishing, individual lodging, three daily meals, bottled water, sodas, beer and wine, fishing license, Starlink internet, departure tax, laundry service, pick up/drop off from/to CXI airport, transportation while on Kiritimati and 12.5% VAT on your lodge stay.
2024/2025 Standard Package pricing: US$4,950 per guest
Shared Guide/Private Room package:
For anglers who prefer to fish with a partner but have the privacy of an individual en-suite experience.
2024/2025 pricing: $4,250 per guest
Private Guide/Shared Room package:
Offered for those who wish to share lodgings but have private guiding on the flats.
2024/2025 pricing: $4,250 per guest
Shared Guide/Shared Room package:
Designed for anglers who wish to share a guide and lodgings for their angling adventure of a lifetime.
2024/2025 pricing: $3,650 per guest
Non-angling guest Shared Room Package:
2024/2025 pricing: $3,250 per guest
Packages do not include: Recommended 15 to 20% guide/staff gratuities, hard alcohol (liquor available in HNL and NAN duty free stores), airline flights to/from Christmas Island airport or fishing equipment, terminal tackle, flies or lures.
FISH NATION SPECIAL SALE: 2024 Summer Sale!
• Our 2×2 Shared Guide/Shared Room package priced at $3650 per guest will now include an immediate upgrade to a Shared Guide/PRIVATE ROOM package (normally priced at $4250).
• Our 2×1 Shared Guide/Private Room package priced at $4250 will now include an immediate upgrade to a PRIVATE GUIDE/Private Room (normally priced at $4950).
Selected weeks include: July 2-9; July 30 – August 6; August 13-20; August 20-27.
Cancellation Policy – Upon cancellation by guests, the Lodge will work to rebook the angler within the next 12 months. The Lodge will hold the angler’s deposit until rebooking is completed. If anglers do not rebook an excursion within 12 months, payment will be retained by Christmas Island Lodge.
Bookings for the Christmas Island Lodge are confirmed with a 50% non-refundable deposit along with completion/submission of all booking contracts and required paperwork. Reserved bookings that are not confirmed by the receipt of a 50% non-refundable deposit and completed paperwork within 14 days of reservation may be cancelled. Full and final payment is due 60 days in advance of all booked excursions Christmas Island Lodge will not be held responsible for loss of fishing days due to missed or canceled flights, weather delays, sickness, injury, or any other extenuating circumstances. Additionally, any costs incurred by delays, or occurrences beyond the control of Christmas Island Lodge are the responsibility of the guest. Lost baggage, equipment or personal items are also not the responsibility of Christmas Island Lodge.
Kiritimati is serviced by one flight each week that flies between Honolulu, Hawaii and Nadi, Fiji. In the event of an interruption in flight service by Fiji Airways for any reason, Christmas Island Lodge will not be held accountable for delays or cancellations of your flights. We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance and medical evacuation insurance. If your flight is cancelled, your trip will not be rebooked or refunded. You can purchase that through our offices at Fish Nation, and it is best done at the time of booking the trip, to insure you do not lose some of the early benefits.
In the case that you are at the Lodge and your outbound flight is cancelled, your lodgings will remain available to you for no additional cost; however if you wish to employ the Lodge fishing guides, the daily guide fee of US$250 will apply to any and all days or portions of days that guides are requested. Payment will be due in advance of departure on the next available flight by credit card or ACH transfer and completed through Square or PayPal online invoicing services.
Please consider the possibility of flight cancellation insurance seriously when making a reservation at the Lodge or any lodging on Kiritimati. With this in mind, the best way to protect your investment and well-being is to purchase travel insurance and medical evacuation insurance. Just ask us at Fish Nation for help.
