On Christmas Eve 1777, Captain James Cook first arrived at the beautiful atoll now called Kiritimati and named it “Christmas Island”. For the traveling anglers, it is like “Christmas every day” in this South Pacific paradise, as it offers some of the world’s finest flats fishing. Christmas Island Lodge is the premier destination on the atoll and offers a comfortable, welcoming stay with the best guides in the area.

Christmas Island Lodge offers 6 renovated and remodeled bungalows constructed of coral stone with traditional thatched roofs. The expansive oceanfront property offers immediate access to the surf and angling opportunities, and the lodge offers private back of the lagoon access so that lodge guests are usually the first to arrive at the top fishing spots in the inner lagoon. Each day ends with evening cocktails and appetizers at the open air lounge, with waves crashing on the beach just steps away.

But you travel to this remote paradise for the fishing, and the lodge’s expert guides will make sure you experience the very best. Kiritimati is most famous for bonefish, and the elusive “grey ghost” isn’t all that elusive here…the lagoon is teeming with bones averaging 3lbs. Many guests are also surprised to find that the colorful local triggerfish are one of the most exciting species to target on fly, and you will get multiple shots per day on big triggers. Finally, five trevally species are common sites on the flats, with the Giant Trevally (GTs) being the most difficult and most rewarding catch on the atoll. 

It isn’t easy to get to, but to experience a true world-class fishery that hasn’t changed all that much since Captain Cook’s time, Christmas Island Lodge is an amazing bucket list destination for any angler.