Remarkably easy to reach from the US mainland, Kiritimati (Christmas Island), the world's largest coral atoll, is a saltwater angler's dream. Christmas Island Lodge is uniquely situated on 20 private acres on the northern coast of Kiritimati (Christmas Island), the world's largest coral atoll. The location offers unparalleled access to diverse fishing grounds, reaching the Inner Lagoon in 10 minutes and famous backcountry spots like the Korean Wreck within 60 to 90 minutes. The fishing is incredibly diverse, offering world-class bonefishing, giant trevally (GTs), triggerfish, milkfish, and more. Most fishing is done by wading the firm, hard sand & coral flats. Because the lodge limits angler numbers to 12 per week, they offer the flexibility to tailor your days on the water exactly to your goals, whether that's hunting apex predator GTs or catching as many bonefish as possible.
Christmas Island Dreams
Why Go
Fish the world's largest coral atoll with incredibly diverse flats fishing.
Highly flexible program tailored to your goals, limited to 12 anglers per week.
Access the inner lagoon in 10 minutes and backcountry lagoons within 60-90 minutes.
Possible to fish the flats and bluewater in the same day.
Closest lodge to the airport & best location on the atoll.
Excellent bird watching with 18 species of seabirds.
Fresh food flown in weekly from Honolulu and traditional Kiribati luau on Monday nights.
Target Species
Bonefish
Giant Trevally
Bluefin Trevally
Golden Trevally
Milkfish
3 species of Triggerfish
Yellowfin Tuna
Skipjack Tuna
Reef Species
Itinerary
Day 1Travel to Honolulu
Fly to Honolulu (HNL) from your home airport and overnight in town. We recommend the Best Western Plaza (near the airport) for easy in/out travel. Some anglers choose to stay in Waikiki for ambience or beach access.
Day 2Arrival in CXI
Depart Honolulu at noon for an easy breezy 3 hour flight to the CXI airport. Lodge staff will meet the group at the airport and shuttle everyone to the lodge (only about 10 minutes away). Settle into your beachside bungalow, grab a beer and put together your fishing gear with the help of senior guide staff. After dinner, the lodge host will give the group a rundown of the week and assign guides. Crash out and try to get some sleep.
Day 3-86 Full Days of Guided Fishing
Bonefish, peach face triggerfish, mustache triggerfish, GT's, bluefin trevally, golden trevally, milkfish, yellowfin tuna, skipjack tuna, snapper, grouper, sweetlips, dare I say sailfish... what do you want to catch?
Christmas Island Lodge fishing days are long, some of the longest days on the water of any destination on the planet. You will wade for miles, spot tailing bonefish, sprint after cruising trevally, curse the pinchy triggerfish and celebrate with Kiwi brewed beers at the end of the day. By the end of the week you will be tired, with a smile on your face.
Day 9Depart the Atoll
Sadly, you will wake up early and head for the airport and your flight home. You will have made new friends and new fishing memories and experienced a people and a fishery like none other. You will scour your calendar to find a Tuesday when you can fly back. Don't miss your flight home, however, or you'll be stuck on the island another week. I guess that wouldn't be so bad...
Pro tip: smart anglers meet their spouse in Hawaii for a few relaxing beach days after fishing. Crafty anglers shoehorn in a couple days of bonefishing on Oahu too.
Accommodations & Lodge
Private bungalows (single accommodation option available)Breakfast, lunch on the water, and dinner & beer/wine included
The lodge comprises six private bungalows, each offering two rooms. Each air-conditioned room features a private bathroom with a shower, plenty of gear storage, and a refrigerator stocked daily with water, soda, and beer. Dinners are served in the traditional maneaba lounge and feature a mix of local seafood and fresh food flown in weekly from Hawaii. A traditional Kiribati luau is hosted on the last night of your stay. The lodge also provides private boat launch access to the "Swimming Lagoon," perfect for a relaxing dip or shore-side lunches.
Water, soda, and beer (stocked daily in room refrigerators)
Free laundry service
Airport transfers to and from the lodge
Air conditioning and private bathrooms with showers
Private boat launch access to the inner lagoon
Not Included
Commercial flights to/from Honolulu (HNL) and Christmas Island (CXI)
Travel insurance and medical evacuation insurance (strongly recommended)
Staff and guide gratuities (recommended 15%-20% in US dollars)
Fly fishing gear, tackle, and flies (bring your own)
Hard liquor (bring your own if desired)
Required overnight stay in Honolulu at the beginning of the trip.
Getting There
Nearest airport: Cassidy International Airport (CXI)
Kiritimati (airport code: CXI) is serviced by a once-weekly Fiji Airways flight from Honolulu (HNL). The flight leaves Honolulu every Tuesday at 12 PM, crossing the International Date Line, and arrives on Christmas Island at 3 PM on Wednesday. The return flight leaves CXI at 7:30 AM on Wednesday, landing in Honolulu around 11 AM on Tuesday. We strongly recommend purchasing travel and medical evacuation insurance, as weather or mechanical issues with the single weekly flight could require an additional week's stay on the island. LCO partners with Global Rescue for trip insurance. Contact the shop for details and plan options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guide to client ratio?
Depending on which package an angler chooses, you will fish with a senior guide the entire week or rotate with your fishing partner. The lodge is also developing a new generation of guides, so you may have junior guide trainees shadowing and helping.
What is the tipping policy?
US dollars are welcome for the recommended 15%-20% gratuity, however due to exchange rates Australian dollars go much further for the staff. Exchange USD for AUD at home before traveling.
Tips are collected at the end of the week by the lodge manager and distributed among the staff.
Do you chum for Giant Trevally (GTs)?
No. Christmas Island Lodge does not chum, nor do we condone chumming for GTs. If you want to catch a GT on the fly, you need to commit your time and focus to hunting these apex predators exclusively.
What is the weather like? What clothing do you recommend?
There are no seasons on Christmas Island. Just 2 degrees north of the Equator, it's always hot and the sun rises and sets at the same time every day of the year.
Bring quick drying pants and/or tights with shorts over the top. You will be walking all day every day. Sun hoodies, Buffs & sungloves are mandatory for the top half of your body. Sunscreen and chapstick are required too. Bring two hats and two pairs of polarized sunglasses.
What fishing gear and flies should I bring?
Bring 8-9wt rods for bonefish/small trevally, 10wt for blue fin/triggerfish, and 11-12wt for GTs and offshore. Use tropical floating lines. Bring tapered bonefish leaders (16-20#) and fluorocarbon tippet (12-100#). Essential flies include Christmas Island Specials, Bonefish Worms, Gotchas & Mason's Ceviche all #6-8. Alphlexo & Strong Arm crab patterns for triggerfish, and brush flies/poppers for GTs.
Sturdy flats sneakers/boots are required for wading. Soft sided Zip It booties or dive booties are not sufficient for the hard and loose coral reef and backcountry wading.
Do I need a fishing license? How do I get one?
A fishing license is included in your package price and will be ready for you when you arrive on the atoll
What happens if my flight is delayed or canceled?
Kiritimati is serviced by one flight each week. If weather or mechanical issues prevent the flight from landing, you may need to stay an additional week. Christmas Island Lodge is not accountable for flight delays or cancellations. We strongly recommend purchasing travel and medical evacuation insurance. LCO partners with Global Rescue for all trip insurance needs.
Additionally, the atoll has next to nothing in the way of medical services. The guides are all trained in basic first aid, but major medical events require evac to Honolulu. This is where Global Rescue can be a literal life saver.
How do I get to the lodge?
Fly to Honolulu (HNL) on a Monday & overnight in town. On Tuesday, board a Fiji Airways flight to CXI and arrive on a Wednesday (on the other side of the international date line). On the way home, leave CXI early on the following Wednesday and arrive in HNL on a Tuesday and connect to your flight home. Please contact the shop for help booking flights and make sure your dates are correct.
What's included in the trip price?
6 full-guided fishing, three meals/day, single or double accommodations with private bathrooms, beer/wine/soda, laundry service, wifi, and transportation to/from CXI airport.
Not included: Travel to CXI, overnight in Honolulu, staff gratuities, fishing gear, hard liquor (available in Honolulu)
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