Christmas Island, located in the South Pacific, is well-known for its exceptional inshore and offshore fishing opportunities.
The heart of Christmas Island fishing is Kiritimati Lagoon—known simply as “the Lagoon.” Covering 300 square kilometers (116 square miles), the Lagoon's shallow edges, sand flats, coral patches, and winding channels provide 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, flats fishing areas range from 15 minutes to over an hour away, depending on tides and conditions.
Boats: The Lodge uses a fleet of 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 otherwise—meaning less time traveling, more time fishing, and opportunities in lightly pressured waters where trophy fish are more likely.
The Villages’ combination of waterfront location, experienced local guides, and access to the vast Lagoon makes it not only a comfortable lodge, but also one of the most strategically positioned bases for exploring Kiritimati’s world-class fishery.
A TYPICAL FISHING DAY:
At 6:00 a.m. - You'll enjoy a hot breakfast then you’ll make lunch from the sandwich bar.
At 7:00 a.m. - You’ll take a short walk from your bungalow to the boats. A boat takes three to five anglers and their guides to their fishing destination.
Between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. - You’ll return to the Lodge, take a hot shower and relax.
At 6:00 p.m. - You’ll head to the maneaba (meeting house) for some appetizers—tuna or wahoo sashimi.
At 7:00 p.m. - Enjoy the buffet-style dinner. Local musicians and dancers perform during and after dinner a couple times during the week.
The nearest flats are only a 5 to 10-minute boat ride from the Lodge. The flats are broad, shallow, and easily waded, teeming with bonefish. Some flats are 15 to 30 minutes away, and some are as far as 90 minutes. When the tides are favorable, you can wade and fish miles of narrow flats and shallow reef zones on the ocean side of the island.
Bonefishing
Powerful and predatory, the Giant Trevally is regarded as the Bully on the Block or Gangsters of the Flats and hunts individually or in schools.
Giant Trevally Fishing
Milkfish are unlike anything else you’ll hook. They feed primarily on algae and plankton, making them notoriously tricky to entice. Christmas Island is widely regarded as one of the world’s best destinations for milkfish.
Milkfishing
The Triggerfish, a flats species, are territorial by nature and due to their strong jaws can bite a hook in half or flatten the bend of the hook. Patience is key. At Christmas Island, you'll find the Moustache, the Peachface, and the Picasso triggerfish species.
Triggerfishing
For no added fee, the guides can also take you outside the reef for tuna, wahoo, barracuda, and an occasional sailfish. This is a popular option. Several species are retained and served for dinner.
Offshore Fishing
For a larger version of this map click here.
Map courtesy of
Cascade GIS Fishing Maps.