Bonefishing On Christmas Island
Christmas Island (Kiritimati) is located in the Central Pacific in the republic of Kiribati. Situated only 65 km from the equator Christmas Island is the largest coral atoll in the world.
Christmas Island is internationally renowned as a world class Bonefish adventure. Fly fishing can be enjoyed on endless white flats and crystal clear waters. The thousands of acres of sand flats and nearly 400 square km of lagoons are covered with ankle deep saltwater mixed with countless cruising bone fish.
This is a destination where sight casting for moving shadows in clear water and the anticipation of the line being spooled at any cast has the fly fisherman on edge, with adrenalin pumping!
The year round fishery at Christmas Island seems to have it all for the saltwater fly fisherman. Endless easy walking, hard and white sand flats, consistent year round comfortable weather, and spectacular numbers of bonefish and trevally in water condition where you are able to sight fish.
Whilst the average size of the Bonefish at Christmas Island is in the order of 3 lb there is always the lure of a 9lb bone fish attacking your fly and relentlessly peeling off the fly line at lightning bolt speed. To top it off most Bonefish can be caught with just a 20 to 40 foot cast and 12 -20 bone fish a day would not be uncommon.
If one could ever get bored with catching numerous Bonefish on fly then there is also spectacularly large Giant Trevally up to 100lbs lurking on the edges of the flats. Blue Trevally to 15lbs and Striped Trevally to 20lbs can be added to the fisherman’s basket.
Sports fishing for Mahi Mahi, Sailfish, Tuna and Wahoo is also available. Christmas Island is a saltwater fly fishing adventure equally rewarding for all fishermen.
Accommodation
As Christmas Island is a very isolated and quite poor country most of the accommodation is of a basic standard. Hot showers, en-suite facilities, power, security, building maintenance and good food can not be taken for granted and some outlying lodges will have you wasting up to 1.5 hrs a day travelling to and from the fishing and boats on the back of a truck.
Fly Fishing Adventures has secured exclusive access to the best accommodation on the island - Christmas Island Fly Fishing Lodge. Features include:
- Small, secure and recently refurbished absolute beachfront lodge with great views
- All rooms twin share with en-suite facilities, air-conditioning and hot and cold water
- Great meal standards
- Back up generator
- Situated in the heart of London village
- Board boats at front of lodge or 200 meters to the jetty.
- No more than 2 fisherman per guide and no more than 4 fishermen per boat
Guides And Equipment
The lodges provides expert fly fishing guides who will travel with you throughout the day ensuring that you are placed in the right position to benefit from the tide, the wind and the sun.
All transportation will be by boat to areas of the lagoon determined by prevailing weather conditions. Most fishing is sight casting so the direction of the sun is important and throughout your stay you will become more efficient at spotting the moving shadows and placing you fly in just the right position to engage some of the speedsters of the flats. The guides are all locals and specifically trained to guide fly fishermen, both novice and experienced. To best enjoy the experience we strongly suggest casting practise before travelling to Christmas Island.
Whilst the main targeted species is the Bonefish on Christmas Island you can not neglect the chance to catch a Giant Trevally or several other species of trevally. It is therefore wise to come equipped with several tackle combinations. Please email us for a list of recommended equipment.
Other Activities
A large proportion of the island is given over to a nature reserve to protect marine turtles and several species of rare migratory seabirds. The sheer numbers of birds and the environment make bird watching on Christmas Island an unforgettable experience.
Diving the Christmas Island waters exploring the coral and colourful fish along the reef edges can be arranged as well as snorkelling the clear warm waters of the extensive lagoon systems.
Getting There
We offer one week adventures to Christmas Island from Australia and New Zealand.
All depart on a Tuesday and return on the following Wednesday or Thursday depending on connections. All flights are via Fiji.
Other Destinations
With all flights requiring transit through Nadi, Fiji it would be easy to add an extended stay in Fiji if time permits. A Fiji stop over package can be arranged allowing you to relax in a tropical beachfront oasis in a well appointed bure. Enjoy reef or sports fishing, snorkelling, scuba, bushwalking and cultural activities in a very relaxing environment.
