Christmas Island, (Kiritimati), in the South Pacific, is one of the world’s most celebrated saltwater fishing destinations—offering both expansive flats and productive bluewater just beyond the reef.
The heart of the Christmas Island fishery is Kiritimati Lagoon—known simply as “the Lagoon.” Spanning roughly 300 square kilometers (116 square miles), its shallow shorelines, sand flats, coral fingers, and winding channels create ideal habitat for bonefish, trevally, and milkfish.
The Villages has the best fishing location on the island with immediate access to the Lagoon (unlike operations farther inland or on the ocean side). Guests can step out of their beachfront bungalow and walk to the boats moored in the lagoon. From there, runs to the flats can be as short as 15 minutes, or over an hour, depending on tides and conditions.
Boats: The Lodge uses locally guided, motorized outrigger boats instead of flats skiffs. These boats are well-suited to the Lagoon and allow fast, flexible access to remote areas that can’t be reached any other way — meaning more time fishing, and more opportunities in lightly pressured areas where trophy fish are more likely.
With its waterfront location and unmatched access to the Lagoon, The Villages is a comfortable home base for exploring this world-class fishery.
A TYPICAL FISHING DAY:
At 6:00 a.m. - Enjoy a hot breakfast and build your lunch from the sandwich bar.
At 7:00 a.m. - Take a short walk from your bungalow to the boats. Each boat carries three to five anglers and their guides to the day's fishing area.
Between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. - Return to the Lodge, enjoy a hot shower, and relax.
At 6:00 p.m. - Head to the maneaba (meeting house) for some appetizers—often tuna or wahoo sashimi.
At 7:00 p.m. - Enjoy a buffet-style dinner. Local musicians and dancers perform a couple times during the week.
Some of the best bonefish flats on Kiritimati are just a 5–10 minute boat ride from the Lodge. Expect broad, shallow, easy-wading flats that hold plenty of fish. Depending on the tide and your daily plan, you may fish water 15–30 minutes away or run farther to reach less-pressured areas up to about 90 minutes from the Lodge. When conditions line up, you can wade for miles along narrow ocean-side flats and shallow reef edges.
Bonefishing
Giant Trevally are the island’s top predators—powerful, fast, and famously unforgiving. Known as the “bullies” or “gangsters” of the flats, GTs may hunt alone, cruise in small groups, or push bait in packs. When you get a shot, it happens quickly—and when one eats, the fight is immediate and intense.
Giant Trevally Fishing
Milkfish are unlike anything else on the flats. They feed primarily on algae and plankton, so they can be finicky and highly selective—but when one finally commits, the run is blistering. Christmas Island is widely considered one of the world’s best destinations for targeting milkfish on fly.
Milkfishing
Triggerfish are a true flats challenge—territorial, stubborn, and incredibly strong for their size. Their jaws are powerful enough to crush shells, and they can bend hooks or bite leaders if you give them the chance. The key is patience, careful presentations, and staying tight once they eat. On Christmas Island you’ll encounter Moustache, Peachface, and Picasso triggerfish.
Triggerfishing
For no added fee, your guides can take you outside the reef to troll or cast for tuna, wahoo, and barracuda—with the occasional sailfish showing up as a bonus. It’s a popular change of pace from the flats, and several species are kept for the table and served at the Lodge during the week.
Offshore Fishing
Click here to view a larger version of the map.
Map courtesy of
Cascade GIS Fishing Maps.