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 Xmas 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.
Almost all of the 5000 residents on the island have no or limited work.
Fishing
Fishing tourism on Christmas Island is a major industry with several thousand fishing enthuiasts from around the world travelling to Christmas Island every year to indulge their fishing passion chasing bonefish. The island has an enormous and shallow lagoon of around 400 square klm and it's home to healthy populations of big Bluefin, Golden and Giant Trevally with Wahoo, Sailfish, Marlin and Mahi Mahi found offshore
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.
Use of guides
It is very sensible to hire a local guide as their experience and understanding will catch you a lot more fish and when I was there I saw only 40% of the fish the guides saw. At about $50 a day it is well worth it and they need the work that fishing tourism brings to the island. Most accommodation lodges will arrange packages including a guide and lagoon boat but you have to bring all your own tackle as none's 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, Fiji's national carrier is the sole airline to fly to the islandand they do this only once per week from Fiji and Hawaii. All flights arrive and depart wednesdays
Map of Xmas 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.
Almost all of the 5000 residents on the island have no or limited work.
Fishing
Fishing tourism on Christmas Island is a major industry with several thousand fishing enthuiasts from around the world travelling to Christmas Island every year to indulge their fishing passion chasing bonefish. The island has an enormous and shallow lagoon of around 400 square klm and it's home to healthy populations of big Bluefin, Golden and Giant Trevally with Wahoo, Sailfish, Marlin and Mahi Mahi found offshore
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.
Use of guides
It is very sensible to hire a local guide as their experience and understanding will catch you a lot more fish and when I was there I saw only 40% of the fish the guides saw. At about $50 a day it is well worth it and they need the work that fishing tourism brings to the island. Most accommodation lodges will arrange packages including a guide and lagoon boat but you have to bring all your own tackle as none's 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, Fiji's national carrier is the sole airline to fly to the islandand they do this only once per week from Fiji and Hawaii. All flights arrive and depart 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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