Christmas Island, often referred to as Kiritimati is in the Republic of Kiribati in the middle of the Pacific Ocean not far from the equator. It is about 3000 klm north east of Fiji and 1200 klm south of Hawaii. With the main island in the group being 3000 klm to the east, Christmas Island actually is one of the most isolated places on earth.
Map of Yuletide Island (Kiritimati)
There are just over 90 000 Kiribas residents living on over 30 atolls and islands spread all over 5 million square kilometers of water along the equatorial line Many are quite poor as the land are often without soil and grow very little crops. Economic possibilities are few with government administration service, fishing and tourism being the only real possibilities both in the country and also on Christmas Island.
Most of the estimated 5000 inhabitants on the island have no or limited opportunity.
Fishing
Fishing tourism on Christmas Island is a major industry with a couple of thousand fishermen and women from all over the world travelling to Christmas Island annually to indulge their angling passion chasing bones. The island has a giant and shallow lagoon of almost 400 square klm and it's home to healthy populations of huge Bluefin, Golden and Giant Trevally with Wahoo, Sailfish, Marlin and Mahi Mahi found outside the lagoon
Bonefish Giant Trevally
As Christmas Island is virtually right on the equator the weather rarely changes much year round. Typical daily temperatures year round are around 30 with night times around 23. The area is a low rainfall year round with a little more rain late in the year.
It is of course the excellent Bonefishing that attracts fishermen to Kiritimati with miles of shallow, warm waters to wade through typically less than knee deep and giant and aggressive bonefish feeding in the higher parts of the tide. Best conditions are found in light winds, with clear skies, in going tide just after or before a new or full moon. Fly fishing is the preferred technique but Bonefish can also be caught with spin fishing outfits. Bonefish cruise round the lagoon dining on the bottom and can spook awfully easily so the plop of a lure or slice can frighten them off. You will need to be able to cast well to 40 foot and gently lay down a fly near to the fish. Most Bonefish caught are less than 5 lb but monsters of twice that size are usually landed.
Guiding
It is really desirable to take a local guide as their knowledge and experience will secure you a lot more fish and when I was there I saw only 30% of the fish the guides saw. At approximately $50 a day it is definitely worth it and they want the money that visitors bring to the economy. Most accommodation properties will organize packages including a guides and flats boat but you should bring all of your own equipment as little is available for hire or sale.
Beach front lodge Lagoon boat
Lodging
Accommodation on Christmas Island is in most cases clean and comfy but basic. Food will be abundant but not fancy and there are limited shopping facilities available. The Australian currency is the currency of use, power supply is 240v, water should often drunk from sealed containersand there aren't any exotic sicknesses known.
Getting To Christmas Island
Air Pacific, The national carrier of Fiji is the only airline to fly to Kiritimati and they do this only once every week from Nadi in Fiji and Honolulu in Hawaii. All flights arrive on the island on Wednesdays.
Map of Yuletide Island (Kiritimati)
There are just over 90 000 Kiribas residents living on over 30 atolls and islands spread all over 5 million square kilometers of water along the equatorial line Many are quite poor as the land are often without soil and grow very little crops. Economic possibilities are few with government administration service, fishing and tourism being the only real possibilities both in the country and also on Christmas Island.
Most of the estimated 5000 inhabitants on the island have no or limited opportunity.
Fishing
Fishing tourism on Christmas Island is a major industry with a couple of thousand fishermen and women from all over the world travelling to Christmas Island annually to indulge their angling passion chasing bones. The island has a giant and shallow lagoon of almost 400 square klm and it's home to healthy populations of huge Bluefin, Golden and Giant Trevally with Wahoo, Sailfish, Marlin and Mahi Mahi found outside the lagoon
Bonefish Giant Trevally
As Christmas Island is virtually right on the equator the weather rarely changes much year round. Typical daily temperatures year round are around 30 with night times around 23. The area is a low rainfall year round with a little more rain late in the year.
It is of course the excellent Bonefishing that attracts fishermen to Kiritimati with miles of shallow, warm waters to wade through typically less than knee deep and giant and aggressive bonefish feeding in the higher parts of the tide. Best conditions are found in light winds, with clear skies, in going tide just after or before a new or full moon. Fly fishing is the preferred technique but Bonefish can also be caught with spin fishing outfits. Bonefish cruise round the lagoon dining on the bottom and can spook awfully easily so the plop of a lure or slice can frighten them off. You will need to be able to cast well to 40 foot and gently lay down a fly near to the fish. Most Bonefish caught are less than 5 lb but monsters of twice that size are usually landed.
Guiding
It is really desirable to take a local guide as their knowledge and experience will secure you a lot more fish and when I was there I saw only 30% of the fish the guides saw. At approximately $50 a day it is definitely worth it and they want the money that visitors bring to the economy. Most accommodation properties will organize packages including a guides and flats boat but you should bring all of your own equipment as little is available for hire or sale.
Beach front lodge Lagoon boat
Lodging
Accommodation on Christmas Island is in most cases clean and comfy but basic. Food will be abundant but not fancy and there are limited shopping facilities available. The Australian currency is the currency of use, power supply is 240v, water should often drunk from sealed containersand there aren't any exotic sicknesses known.
Getting To Christmas Island
Air Pacific, The national carrier of Fiji is the only airline to fly to Kiritimati and they do this only once every week from Nadi in Fiji and Honolulu in Hawaii. All flights arrive on the island on Wednesdays.
About the Author:
Paul Collery runs Sports Fishing Adventures a company that specialises in all inclusive fishing journeys. Additional info on Christmas Island fishing journeys can be found at Christmas Island Bonefish
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