Christmas Island Fly Fishing: Kiritimati Bonefish & GT Guide
Christmas Island (Kiritimati) is one of the best bonefish spots in the world, and for Hawaii anglers it is close to home. For many years Nervous Water was Hawaii's booking agent for the Villages Fishing Lodge and took groups of customers and friends there. This page collects what we learned: how to get there, what you will catch, what to bring and when to go.
Where is Christmas Island?
Kiritimati is part of the Republic of Kiribati. It lies roughly 1,300 miles south of Honolulu, just north of the equator. It is the largest coral atoll in the world by land area. A huge lagoon, flats of hard white sand and many channels and reef edges give it miles of fishable water. Most lodges are in or near the villages on the northern part of the island, close to the lagoon.
Getting there from Honolulu
Fiji Airways is the only airline flying nonstop between Honolulu and Kiritimati. As of September 2026 there is one flight a week, and it takes about 3 hours and 20 minutes. Because there is only one flight a week, most trips last one week, and lodges plan their week around the flight. Book early, check the current schedule with the airline, and check entry and passport rules for Kiribati before you travel.
What you will catch
- Bonefish: lots of them, usually 2 to 5 pounds, with bigger fish along ocean-side flats and channels. Many days you will get more shots than in a whole season in Hawaii.
- Giant trevally (GT): the fish most visitors dream about. GTs cruise the flats and reef edges and can top 50 pounds.
- Bluefin trevally and other jacks: aggressive, colorful and great on a popper.
- Triggerfish: hard to fool and very rewarding. Read about them in Triggernometry Lessons.
- Milkfish and offshore species: milkfish in the lagoon for patient anglers, and tuna and wahoo offshore.
Christmas Island guides and lodges
Local guides make a Christmas Island trip. At the Villages, head guide Teannaki and his crew always seemed to know where the fish were feeding. Most lodges put two anglers with one guide and move by truck and boat to different flats each day. When you choose a lodge, ask how many anglers share a guide, how far the boats travel, and whether GT fishing is included or extra.
A typical day on the flats
Days at most Christmas Island lodges follow the same pattern. After an early breakfast, you meet your guide and ride by truck or boat to the flats, chosen for the tide and wind. You wade most of the day, sometimes for hours on firm sand, and look for single fish, small groups and schools of bonefish. Lunch is often eaten on the flats. Many guides watch for GTs while you fish for bonefish, so keep your heavy rod rigged and ready for a quick cast. You get back in the late afternoon with time to tie flies, change leaders and swap stories.
Casting at Christmas Island is easier than in Hawaii, because the fish are less spooky, there are more of them and the wind is usually lighter. Still, the anglers who catch the most are the ones who can make a quick, accurate 40 to 50 foot cast into the wind and get the fly down fast.
What to pack
- Two or three rods, spare fly lines and plenty of leader and tippet material. Tackle shops on the island are limited.
- Flats boots with thick soles, and neoprene socks or gravel guards for long days of wading.
- Polarized sunglasses with amber or copper lenses, plus a spare pair.
- Sun protection: long-sleeve shirts, light pants, a buff, sun gloves and plenty of reef-safe sunscreen.
- A small waterproof pack for water, snacks, a camera and extra flies.
- Any medicines you need, basic first aid and a copy of your travel documents. Supplies on the island are limited.
Tackle and flies
Bring two outfits: an 8 or 9 weight for bonefish and a 12 weight with 80 to 100 lb leaders and big poppers or baitfish flies for GTs. For bonefish, pack weighted and unweighted shrimp and crab patterns in sizes 4 to 8, in tan, pink and orange. Sean's list of 5 essential flies for Christmas Island is a good start, and Three Quick Tips for CXI covers the small things that make a big difference on the flats.
When to go
Christmas Island fishes all year. Weather near the equator is fairly steady, so tides and wind matter more than the calendar. Many anglers like the months with less wind. Talk to your lodge about tide timing for the week you plan to go. For packing, health and travel tips, read Preparing for Christmas. For trip reports, see Christmas Island 2016 and our Christmas Island photos.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Christmas Island from Hawaii?
Fiji Airways flies nonstop from Honolulu to Kiritimati once a week (as of September 2026). The flight takes about 3 hours 20 minutes.
What rod weights do I need for Christmas Island?
An 8 or 9 weight for bonefish and a 12 weight for giant trevally. Many anglers also bring a spare 9 or 10 weight for bluefin trevally and triggerfish.
How big are Christmas Island bonefish?
Most are 2 to 5 pounds, and there are larger fish along the ocean-side flats and channels. There are far more fish than in Hawaii, even if the average size is smaller.
More in Christmas Island
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