Christmas Island
Putting Christmas Island in words is a bit like catching the proverbial moonbeam in a bottle - it's difficult to do justice to the island's magnificent fishery and to capture the kaleidoscope of experiences. Christmas Island has become our single most popular year-round destination for bonefishing. Fishing is only part of this Pacific travel adventure. No matter what you have heard or read about Christmas Island, it remains a unique experience. It is still fresh and unpressured. If you like light-tackle action in a marvellous warm-weather climate, this is the place to find it. Plus, it is still of genuine value in today's fishing world.
Beginner, intermediate or advanced, Christmas Island is perfectly suited for all flats fishermen. The average fish is about 2 lbs, but there will be opportunities on most days to cast to larger ones, from 5 to 10 lbs. Names like Nine-Mile, Korean Wreck and Paris Flat are legendary and to this day produce numbers of bonefish that are the envy of most bonefish destinations. On a typical day, a fisherman with average casting skills can usually count on hooking a dozen or more fish, sometimes many more. The Kiribati guide staff will do everything possible to ensure that this Pacific tropical paradise meets your fishing expectations.
Not just a bonefish resource, Christmas Island is still one of the top destinations worldwide for giant trevally. Fishermen wishing to take on these aggressive members of the jack family should come prepared with heavy fly or spinning tackle and be sure to devote some time strictly to hunting these great fish. Offshore fishing is also available for those in search of wahoo and yellowfin tuna.
Christmas Island
Weekly Schedule:
Transfers to and from Christmas Island are on a Tuesday only.
Rates:
*All prices listed are a guide only and are subject to change - please call us with your requirements.
A 7-night/6-day fishing package costs $2,350/person*, based on double occupancy and shared guide, and $3,150/person* for a single fisherman with private room and guide.
*Flights from Honolulu to Christmas Island and return are currently provided by Air Pacific Airlines and operates on a Tuesday-Tuesday schedule. We will be glad to assist you with this flight reservation.
Prices include:
Meals and accommodations at the Captain Cook Hotel; packed lunch on fishing days; meeting on arrival with assistance through customs and immigration; transfers airport-hotel-airport, including baggage handling; transportation to and from the fishing areas; six days of guided fishing, and entertainment as outlined in the itinerary.
Prices do not include:
Economy round-trip air fare Honolulu-Christmas Island; round-trip airfare to Honolulu; all alcoholic beverages and soft drinks; gratuities; Fishing license ($50) payable in cash upon arrival, Lagoon tax ($50), and departure tax ($20), surcharge if vehicle or boat rental other than that specified in package; visit to Bird Island; offshore boat charter; baggage overweight charges levied by airline; overtime wages for guide and boat rental if retained more than eight hours per day; extra guide charges; meals and accommodations in Hawaii; items of a personal nature.
Deposit
A deposit of 50% of your total reservation costs is required to confirm a reservation; final payment due 60 days prior to arrival at Christmas Island. Written cancellation up to 60 days prior to departure will be eligible for a refund of deposit per person less $200 handling fee and any applicable air charges. Cancellation within 60 days: individual is responsible for total land costs and no refund will be made unless suitable replacement is provided. No refund will be made for unused land arrangements included in cost.
Other Information
Christmas Island is still one of the best values for quality bonefishing in the world.
Options:
1. Day charter of offshore boat: $350/full day/party of 3; $250/half day.
2. Additional days of 21-ft lagoon skiff rental: $290 full day. Based on availability
3. Extra guide beyond one provided for each two anglers: $100/day, payable direct, or booked in advance.
4. Bird Island: Approximately $50/person plus full-day boat charge divide by a maximum of 10, no minimum.
Accommodation
Accommodations during your Christmas Island stay will be at the Captain Cook Hotel. The hotel is convenient to the island's jetport, is operated by an English-speaking staff, and is nestled within sight and earshot of the island's barrier reef. The hotel's 24 modern, simple but pleasantly decorated rooms offer air conditioning. They are all on one floor and open onto a courtyard facing the beach. Each room has a small refrigerator and private bathroom, which includes a stall shower heated by solar energy. There are also attractive, thatch-roofed cottages situated along the beach. The dining will include ample portions of a variety of hearty meals as well as some exotic dishes and fresh seafoods. Meats and vegetables are flown in from Hawaii. Groups are treated to a weekly outdoor luau, featuring fresh lobsters and complete with traditional native singing and dancing. The comfortable Frigate Bar in the hotel or the open-air Maneaba on the beach is where guests usually gather each evening to spin yarns of record bonefish that got away or the ravages of imposing trevally. Both are always well-stocked, there's plenty of ice, and the informal atmosphere couldn't be better.
Christmas Island
Time Difference
GMT +12 hrs
Flight Time from the UK
London - Honolulu: 18 hrs 40 mins
Honolulu - Christmas Island: 3 hrs
Visa Requirements for UK Citizens
If entering or exiting via USA, an ESTA application for 90-day US visa waiver is required prior to travel.
Species
Bonefish, giant trevally, blue trevally, golden trevally and pelagic species such as yellowfin
tuna, wahoo and sailfish.
Season to Travel
Year-round
Tackle and Kit
We would recommend a 9ft single-handed 8 weight rod for bonefish, a 9ft single-handed 9-11 weight rod for trevally and 12-14 weight outfits for yellowfin tuna, wahoo and sailfish. All rods should be rigged with good saltwater reels with reliable disc drags. Floating and intermediate clear tipped weight-forward lines, a selection of bonefish and tarpon leaders, flies, long-nosed pliers and polarised sunglasses. Light spinning tackle.
Clothing
Lightweight long sleeved shirts and trousers, wading shoes, sunscreen and peaked hat. We would also recommend a light waterproof spray jacket and while you are wading the flats we suggest taking a hip bag that can carry your equipment and a water bottle.
Christmas Island
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