Christmas Island, AKA Kiritimati is in the Republic of Kiribati in the Pacific Ocean not very far from the equator. It is about 3000 klm north east of Fiji and 1200 klm south of Hawaii. With the primary island in the group being 3000 klm to the east, Christmas Island truly is one of the most isolated places on earth.
Map of Christmas 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.
The majority of the 5000 odd residents on the island have no or limited employment.
Fishing
Fishing tourism on Christmas Island is a major industry with a few thousand fishermen from across the world travelling to Christmas Island each year to indulge their fly fishing passion in bonefishing. The island has a large and shallow lagoon of about 400 square klm and it is home to healthy populations of large Bluefin, Golden and Giant Trevally with Wahoo, Sailfish, Marlin and Mahi Mahi found on the outer reefs and in blue water.
Bonefish Giant Trevally
As Christmas Island is just about right on the equator the weather does not change much year round. Median daily temperatures year round are approximately 30 with night times around 23. The area is a minimal rainfall year round with a touch more rain october to december.
It is naturally the fantastic Bonefishing that pulls fishers to Kiritimati with miles of shallow, warm flats to wade thru generally less than two feet deep and large and hungry bonefish dining in the upper tides. Best conditions are found in light winds, with clear skies, inbound tide shortly after or before a new or full moon. Fly fishing is the chosen method but Bonefish may also be caught with spin fishing outfits. Bonefish cruise around the flats feeding on the bottom and can spook extraordinarily simply so that the plop of a lure or slice can scare them off. You'll need to be in a position to cast accurately to 40 foot and carefully lay down a fly close to the fish. Most Bonefish taken are less than 5 lb but giants of twice that size are typically landed.
Use of guides
It is often advisable to employ a local guide as their experience and knowledge will land you a lot more fish and when I was there I saw only half of the fish the guides saw. At around $50 a day it is easily worth it and they require the employment that this industry brings to the atoll. Most accommodation houses will prepare packages including a guiding and a boat but you must bring all of your own gear as none is available for hire or sale.
Beach front lodge Lagoon boat
Accommodation
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.
Travel 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 Christmas 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.
The majority of the 5000 odd residents on the island have no or limited employment.
Fishing
Fishing tourism on Christmas Island is a major industry with a few thousand fishermen from across the world travelling to Christmas Island each year to indulge their fly fishing passion in bonefishing. The island has a large and shallow lagoon of about 400 square klm and it is home to healthy populations of large Bluefin, Golden and Giant Trevally with Wahoo, Sailfish, Marlin and Mahi Mahi found on the outer reefs and in blue water.
Bonefish Giant Trevally
As Christmas Island is just about right on the equator the weather does not change much year round. Median daily temperatures year round are approximately 30 with night times around 23. The area is a minimal rainfall year round with a touch more rain october to december.
It is naturally the fantastic Bonefishing that pulls fishers to Kiritimati with miles of shallow, warm flats to wade thru generally less than two feet deep and large and hungry bonefish dining in the upper tides. Best conditions are found in light winds, with clear skies, inbound tide shortly after or before a new or full moon. Fly fishing is the chosen method but Bonefish may also be caught with spin fishing outfits. Bonefish cruise around the flats feeding on the bottom and can spook extraordinarily simply so that the plop of a lure or slice can scare them off. You'll need to be in a position to cast accurately to 40 foot and carefully lay down a fly close to the fish. Most Bonefish taken are less than 5 lb but giants of twice that size are typically landed.
Use of guides
It is often advisable to employ a local guide as their experience and knowledge will land you a lot more fish and when I was there I saw only half of the fish the guides saw. At around $50 a day it is easily worth it and they require the employment that this industry brings to the atoll. Most accommodation houses will prepare packages including a guiding and a boat but you must bring all of your own gear as none is available for hire or sale.
Beach front lodge Lagoon boat
Accommodation
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.
Travel 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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