Jim Schmid with Yellowfin Tuna
Christmas Island Bonefishing
The Villages
Giant Trevally, Yellowfin Tuna, Triggerfish...
Situated in the central Pacific Ocean in the Republic of Kiribati (pronounced kee-ruh-bass), Christmas Island is the largest coral atoll in the world, encompassing about 250 square miles. The island is only 144 miles north of the equator and is a three-hour flight from Honolulu. While a fantastic inshore fishery for bonefish, triggerfish, and giant trevally, you can also fish outside the reef for tuna, wahoo, sailfish, and other species. The location also offers excellent birding opportunities.
Join our Hosted Weeks for 2025, 2026, and 2027.
Both fly and conventional anglers are welcome.
2025 Hosted Weeks:
7-nights and 6-days guided fishing
$3,590.00 per person
• March 31 - April 8, 2025:
Guy hosts
• April 7-15, 2025: SOLD-OUT
• April 14-22, 2025:
Guy hosts SOLD-OUT
• Oct. 27 - Nov. 4, 2025:
Brad hosts - 10 openings
2026 Hosted Weeks:
7-nights and 6-days guided fishing
$3,590.00 per person
• Feb. 23 - March 3, 2026:
Brad Staples hosts
• March 2-10, 2026:
Brad Staples hosts
• March 30 - April 7, 2026:
Guy Schoenborn hosts
• April 6-14, 2026:
Guy Schoenborn hosts
• April 13-21, 2026:
Guy Schoenborn hosts
• November 2-10, 2026:
Brad Staples hosts
2027 Hosted Weeks:
7-nights and 6-days guided fishing
$3,590.00 per person
• Feb. 22 - March 2, 2027:
Brad Staples hosts
• March 1-9, 2027:
Brad Staples hosts
• March 29 - April 7, 2027:
Guy Schoenborn hosts
• April 5-14, 2027:
Guy Schoenborn hosts
• April 12-21, 2027:
Guy Schoenborn hosts
• Oct. 25 - Nov. 2, 2027:
Brad Staples hosts
You're not restricted to our hosted weeks. Book anytime.
Rates are subject to change.
Christmas Island Bonefishing
Kyle Siler with bonefish during hosted week.
Christmas Island Bonefish: The Island has earned global recognition for its abundant bonefish population, the presence of giant trevally, and seemingly endless clear waters with a white sand bottom. These factors, combined with the unique sand and coral flats, enhance visibility and make spotting bonefish easier compared to other locations. It has been our experience that Christmas Island bonefish prefer sparsely-tied fly patterns.
The Villages offers anglers two distinct advantages over other lodges on Christmas Island. Firstly, your skiff is
about a thirty-second walk from the Lodge, and you can be fishing the flats within minutes. Secondly, each angler is assigned their own fishing guide. A one-to-one guide-to-angler ratio. The benefit of this individual attention cannot be overstated, especially in bonefishing, where an extra pair of eyes scanning the water can make all the difference.
The central lagoon of the Island, along with neighboring saltwater ponds, covers approximately 125 square miles. This lagoon features a network of deep blue channels and white sand flats rich with local bonefish.
Click here for Guy Schoenborn's 2023 Hosted Trip Report.
The Fishing Program:
Travel Time: From the Lodge, it's only a five to 10-minute skiff ride to large, broad, shallow flats that are easily waded and teeming with bonefish. Some flats are 15 to 30 minutes away, and some are as far as 90 minutes. A panga-style speedboat is used for longer runs. No long pickup rides. If the tides are right, trucks are used to access spots like the Korean Wreck.
Season: The Lodge is open year-round, and fishing is consistently good all year.
Skiffs: The Villages uses Polynesian-style 35-foot skiffs equipped with Yamaha 60-HP four-stroke outboards. (These outrigger boats are commonly used by fishing lodges on Christmas Island.)
Guides: Each angler is assigned their own English-speaking guide. The Villages is the only lodge on the island that offers a one-to-one guide to angler at no extra charge. And, the extra sets of eyes really help with bonefishing.
Fishing Equipment: The Lodge does not provide equipment. On our hosted trips, FWL supplies all bonefish flies, conventional rods, and reels for bluewater trolling for tuna and wahoo. A comprehensive list of what to bring is in our confirmation packet.
Fishing License: For Christmas Island, only an annual fishing license is available. The rate for 2025 has increased to $250 per annum; however, The Villages will cover $150 per angler. The final cost per angler will be $100 USD, which you'll pay when checking in at the Lodge.
Physical Condition: You should be in good physical condition for this trip. You’ll be in a remote location with a lot of wade fishing.
View our 4:19 YouTube Video of our 2012 Hosted Week.
A Typical Fishing Day:
After a hot breakfast, you’ll make lunch from the sandwich bar for your fishing day.
7:00 a.m. - you'll take about a 30-second walk from your beach bungalow to the skiffs. A skiff takes 3 to 5 anglers and their guides to their fishing area. When you’re ready to move, your guide will radio the captain, and he’ll transport you to a new location.
Midday - Lunch on the boats or flats.
4:00 to 5:00 p.m. - You'll return to the Lodge and freshen up with a hot shower.
6:00 p.m. - You'll head to the maneaba (meeting house) for some appetizers—tuna or wahoo sashimi.
7:00 p.m. - Enjoy a buffet-style dinner with fresh fish of the day and chicken, beef, or pork. Local musicians and dancers perform during and after the evening meal a couple of times a week.
You'll walk out to the boats at 7:00 a.m.
Ron Gager with Triggerfish - 2025
Two Anglers per Bungalow
The Lodge: The Villages opened in 2006 and is managed by locals, providing genuine Polynesian hospitality. The Lodge, which sits on a white sandy beach overlooking an aqua-colored lagoon, was designed to support the nearby community of Tabwakeua and the KPC church.
The Lodge has ten bungalows with air-conditioning, a private bathroom with a shower, and a covered porch with rod racks. The Villages hosts up to 16 anglers, with single-occupancy lodging available. The facilities are nice according to Christmas Island standards. Think fish camp. This is not the Marriott.
Laundry Service is available for AUD $30 per week.
Air-Conditioned Bungalows
Meals: Meals are enjoyed in the maneaba (the gathering center), which lies in the heart of the complex.
After a cooked-to-order breakfast, you'll make a sandwich from the lunch bar and grab an apple or an orange and four water bottles for the day.
Sashimi—thin slices of fresh tuna or wahoo—is served each evening during happy hour. Buffet-style dinners. Fish is always one of the two dinner entree choices; other weekly choices include chicken, beef steaks, and pork.
Beverages: Alcohol is not included in the package. There is a bar. Beer is $4 per can. You receive four bottles of water daily, $3 per bottle after that.
Communications: Starlink Wi-Fi is now available for AUD $20 per person weekly and works very well. The WhatsApp app works for phone calls.
Electricity: The Lodge has both 110V and 240V power. U.S. residents will need a power plug adapter and a voltage converter.
Aerial of Christmas Island
Getting to the Lodge:
1.) We recommend flying to Honolulu at least one day before you depart for Christmas Island.
Hotel recommendations are provided in our confirmation packet. A Fiji Airways flight departs from Honolulu to Christmas Island each Tuesday at noon. This weekly flight is three hours long and includes a meal.
2.) You’ll arrive at Christmas Island on Wednesday (due to crossing the International Dateline). A lodge representative will greet you at the airport and drive you to The Villages, a 30-minute drive. The package does not include airfare, hotel, and meals in Honolulu.
Carry-On for Fiji Airways: Bring your fly rods on as a carry-on item in a tube or case. Keep your two carry-on items to less than 15 pounds. (A purse is considered a carry-on. It's best to put it in your backpack before the gate to avoid check-in fees.)
Departure Day: After your fishing week, you’ll depart Christmas Island the following Wednesday morning and arrive in Honolulu on a Tuesday (due to crossing the International Dateline).
2025 USD Rates and Packages:
7-nights and 6-days guided fishing
Two anglers per bungalow:
$3,590.00 per person
One angler per bungalow:
$4,080.00 per person
Non-Angler Companion sharing a room:
$1,565.00 per person
The Packages Include:
• Airport reception
• Ground transfers between the airport and the Lodge
• 7-nights at The Villages
• All meals at the Lodge
• Four bottles of water per day (After that $3 per bottle)
• 6-days guided fishing—one angler per guide
• All island taxes and GST
• For hosted trips, FWL supplies all bonefish flies, conventional rods, and reels for bluewater trolling for tuna and wahoo. Please bring your own lures.
The Packages Do Not Include:
• No airfare is included.- Airfare to Honolulu, and return
- Honolulu to Christmas Island flight, and return
• One-night hotel stay and meals in Honolulu
• Starlink Wi-Fi, AUD $20 per week
• Gratuities to guides and staff
• Fishing license $100 per annum, paid in cash upon arrival
• Alcohol, beer $4 per can
• Daily laundry service, AUD $30 per week
• Global Rescue
• Travel Insurance
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions.
• FWL does not supply lures for trolling in the bluewater.
• FWL adds a 2.5% convenience fee to all credit card transactions.
Fishing with Larry Payment Options:
1.) Credit card (a 2.5% convenience fee applies)
2.) Check. Please include your invoice number in the memo. Mail checks to Fishing with Larry P.O. Box 419 Columbus, MT 59019.
3.) Wire Transfer (Send money electronically – typically a $15 to $30 fee for domestic transfers and $45 - $50 for international transfers.)
Please email Toni at toni@fishingwithlarry.com for wire instructions.
The Villages Policies:
Deposit Policy: $1,000.00 down within 14 days, and the balance is due 90 days before your arrival.
Cancellation Policy: The deposit can only be refunded if a suitable replacement is found by the group or individual. If a trip needs to be canceled due to an unforeseen emergency, the Lodge may consider applying a credit toward a future trip.
Travel Insurance: Fishing with Larry highly recommends Global Rescue and a travel insurance policy that includes trip cancellation insurance. Click here for our Travel Insurance page.
We have partnered with Ultimate Vacations to enhance your Christmas Island fishing adventure! Booking flights to this incredible destination is easier than ever, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable fishing experience. Ultimate Vacations specializes in flights to many destinations in the Pacific, including Christmas Island, and their expertise ensures easy planning and travel to this destination.
Gratuities:
The suggested guide tip is $60 AUD per angler per day for the guide, and the boatman should receive at least $10 per day per angler (at least $30 AUD). Plan on tipping the guides and boatmen daily. Anglers can tip their guides more for exceptional service. Recommended staff tips are between $100 and $150 AUD per guest per week.
