FLY FISHING ON CHRISTMAS ISLAND, Kiribati
REPUBLIC OF KIRIBATI – FLY FISHING TRIPS ON Christmas Island & Fanning Island
UPCOMING TRIPS ON FANNING & CHRISTMAS ISLAND
For saltwater fly anglers seeking the outer edges of adventure, the Republic of Kiribati delivers two of the Pacific’s most remote and productive fisheries: Christmas Island (Kiritimati) and Fanning Island (Tabuaeran). These coral atolls, scattered across thousands of square miles of open ocean, are legendary for their untouched flats, powerful trevally, and endless schools of bonefish. Despite their isolation, both destinations are surprisingly accessible via Honolulu, making them ideal for anglers eager to experience frontier-style fishing without sacrificing logistical ease.
The Last Flats – Fanning & CXI Combination April 2026 & now October 2026
Our signature hosted adventure blends a week on Fanning Island with a week on Christmas Island, offering anglers the rare chance to fish two distinct atolls in a single journey. On Fanning, expect near-virgin flats, aggressive bonefish, and exploratory trevally opportunities in a setting where very few fly rods have ever been cast. Transitioning to Christmas Island provides a contrast of scale –vast lagoon systems, polished lodge operations, and access to both flats and bluewater. Together, these back-to-back weeks create the most comprehensive Kiribati fly fishing experience possible. This is an absolute bucket-list adventure for any serious saltwater angler.
Fanning Island – Hosted Week October 2026
For those who want to push further off the map, a dedicated week on Fanning Island is as raw and unfiltered as it gets. With minimal angling pressure and a pioneering spirit, guests can expect large, uneducated bonefish, shots at GTs and triggers, and the sense of fishing a destination still in its infancy. Our hosted weeks here emphasize exploration, community interaction, and the thrill of discovering what lies beyond the next flat.
Christmas Island – Hosted Week October 2026
In contrast, a hosted week on Christmas Island offers the South Pacific’s most proven saltwater fishery, supported by experienced guides, well-equipped lodges, and a diversity of species unmatched by any other atoll. Bonefish remain the mainstay, but giant trevally, milkfish, triggerfish, and bluewater species provide constant variety. With structured programs and efficient logistics, this is the ideal hosted option for anglers who want consistent action, expert instruction, and a balance of comfort with adventure.
Ikari House Fly Fishing Lodge – Year ‘round CXI lodge accommodation
We work closely with Ikari House for all our CXI lodging and guide/boat programs. Please contact us to check availability for any week in 2026 or 2027. We provide a full planning and pre-trip preparation service for anglers new to saltwater fly fishing on Christmas Island. We provide personal advice on flies, tackle, guides, flights and logistics.
KIRIBATI HOSTED TRIPS
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Ikari House Fly Fishing Lodge
Location: London Village, Christmas Island (Kiritimati)
Availability: Wednesday to Wednesday year-round
Focus: Bonefish, Bluefin & Giant Trevally, Triggerfish
Group Size: Individuals to 12 paxWe believe Ikari House is the top lodge on Christmas Island. Their London location means a one-off longer commute from the airport, but means little daily drive time to the fast boats and only a short walk to shops for fruit/wine and snacks.
They serve a great cooked breakfast, good coffee and have exceptional kitchen and room staff.
Ikari House owns the fast fiberglass boats that you’ll see on the inner lagoon. Their boat drivers will get you out to the flats first. This means that during the busiest visitor season, you and your boat will be parked on the flat of your choice ahead of the slower orange pangas carrying guests from the other lodges.
Christmas Island (Kiritimati) is a remote fly fishing atoll with mile‑wide lagoon flats, bonefish by the thousands, giant trevally, triggers, plus offshore tuna, GTs and wahoo if you want to ask your boatman to push out beyond the breakers.
We work very closely with the Ikari House team to hone their operation and refine the angling experience. Together we’re implementing new cultural experiences through 2026 to enhance your stay.
Expect a coconut on arrival, extra gear in case something breaks, apparel, menu refinements, special extra dishes (mantis shrimp entree where possible), senior guide choices, and friendly, engaging lodge interactions throughout your stay with Ikari House.
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Christmas Island Hosted Week (Sept 30 - Oct 7, 2026)
Destination: Christmas Island (Kiritimati)
Dates: Sept 30 – Oct 07, 2026
Focus: Bonefish, bluefin & giant trevally, triggerfish, milkfish
Group size: Limited to six anglersDescription:
This Wednesday to Wednesday expedition is for new to intermediate saltwater fly anglers and those who can’t get enough of CXI!If you’ve always wanted to give tropical saltwater flyfishing a crack, we’re hosting the perfect week on Christmas Island (also called Kiritimati and pronounced ‘Christmas’) in the first week of October 2026.
We’ll have premium saltwater fly rods, reels spooled with tropical fly lines, boxes of flies, leaders and tippets. Bring your sunglasses, Buff® and waterproof bum bag. You’ll be out on endless saltwater flats catching bonefish, bluefin trevally, giant trevally (GTs) and maybe even a troublesome triggerfish if you’re lucky.Register your interest with us for this CXI week and we’ll send you our travel program detailing the itinerary and tips on preparing for this fabulous atoll adventure.
Our hosted saltwater trips are strictly limited to six anglers to ensure we all have access to fast boats, the top guides on the island, and the best chance of success every day of our trip.
We’re staying at the iconic beachside Ikari House, only a short stroll/drive down to the boat, with double occupancy (optional single room upgrades), and the benefits of an experienced host to fine tune our week behind the scenes.
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The Last Flats: Fanning + CXI (April 2026)
Destination: Christmas & Fanning Islands
Dates: April 1–14, 2026 (Two weeks)
Focus: Big bonefish and giant trevally
Group size: Limited to six anglersDescription:
This is the ultimate bucket list expedition for committed saltwater fly anglers. The Last Flats takes you deep into the South Pacific. We’re off to the rarely visited, wildly remote Fanning Island (Tabuaeran) – a frontier fishery where double-digit bonefish, powerful giant trevally, and unpredictable triggerfish patrol untouched waters.Then back to the well-loved bonefish haven of Christmas Island (Kiritimati) for a second week, where you’ll sharpen your flats game across CXI’s legendary coral edges and pancake white flats.
Over two unforgettable weeks, you’ll explore vast, under-pressured flats alongside a small group of like-minded anglers. Hosted by our founder, the journey is fully planned, logistically smoothed, and all about maximizing your time on the water – from classic bonefish sight-fishing to adrenaline-fueled GT encounters.
This is not your average lodge trip. It’s a week where solitude, exploration, and monster fish converge and a second week of relative luxury on CXI.
Due to strong demand, we’re running a second 2026 hosted week in mid October. Dom’t miss this second chance to fish Fanning Island with Isolation Outfitters.
Full itinerary available now. -
A Week on Fanning Island (October 7-14, 026)
Destination: Fanning Island (Tabuaeran)
Dates: October 7–14, 2026
Focus: Big bonefish and giant trevally
Group size: Limited to six anglersDescription:
We’re heading back to Fanning Island for a second hosted week in October 2026. This trip is for those who couldn’t make our ‘Last Flats’ hosted trip in April and can’t fit two weeks into their schedule.
We’ll fly into CXI on Wednesday from Honolulu. Then repack and head to Fanning on Thursday morning to fish the flats that afternoon.With remote and un-pressured water, expect to fish for bonefish in the 4-7lb average class on Fanning, plus lone fish in the 8-10lb class. Equally, giant trevally will be of a larger average size and are more plentiful than back on Christmas Island.
After five and a half days of fantastic flats fly fishing, we return to Christmas Island on Tuesday afternoon for our customary trip celebration and take the Wednesday morning flight back to Honolulu (US anglers), or Wednesday afternoon for those heading back to Australia/New Zealand via Fiji.
We can add extra days on Fanning, or even a second week. Talk to us and we can work through these options, and help plan your bucket list adventure on Fanning Island.
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Fanning + Christmas Islands (October 2026)
Destination: Christmas & Fanning Islands
Dates: October 7–21, 2026 (Two weeks)
Focus: Big bonefish and giant trevally
Group size: Limited to six anglers + hostDescription:
This is the ultimate bucket list expedition for committed saltwater fly anglers. Our two week expedition to Fanning and CXI makes the most of your international travel and allows you to genuinely relax and build a daily routine on the water without counting down the days to departure!First week we fly to the rarely visited, wildly remote Fanning Island (Tabuaeran) – a frontier fishery where double-digit bonefish, powerful giant trevally, and unpredictable triggerfish patrol untouched waters. This is a flagship destination for Isolation Outfitters.
Then we return to the well-loved bonefish haven of Christmas Island (Kiritimati) for a second week, where you’ll sharpen your flats game across CXI’s legendary coral edges and pancake white flats.
Over two unforgettable weeks, you’ll explore vast, under-pressured flats alongside a small group of like-minded anglers. Hosted by our founder, the journey is fully planned, logistically smoothed, and all about maximizing your time on the water – from classic bonefish sight-fishing to adrenaline-fueled GT encounters.
This is not your average lodge trip. It’s a week where solitude, exploration, and monster fish converge and a second week of relative luxury on CXI.
Don’t miss this second chance to fish Fanning Island + CXI with Isolation Outfitters in 2026.
BONEFISH, TREVALLY, TRIGGERFISH & BLUEWATER SPECIES
Set deep in the central Pacific, Kiritimati (Christmas Island) is a bucket-list atoll where vast, hard-sand flats meet reef and bluewater. Low angling pressure, year-round opportunity, and consistent trade winds create ideal sight-fishing conditions for bonefish, giant trevally, triggerfish, and milkfish – plus quick access to tuna, wahoo, and other pelagics when the ocean calls. Remote enough to feel truly wild yet supported by experienced local operations, CXI delivers a classic South Pacific endless flats experience without the crowds.
Ikari House (Ronton/London Village)
Purpose-built for anglers on a beachfront site by the main channel, Ikari House pairs efficient logistics with a fleet of fast boats and seasoned guides. It’s a polished, fishing-first base that gets you on prime lagoon flats quickly, with attentive staff and comfortable, air-conditioned rooms. Ikari House can accommodate larger groups.
CHRISTMAS ISLAND (KIRITIMATI) FLY FISHING LODGES
Christmas Island Lodge (Banana, on the north shore near CXI Airport)
A boutique, oceanside property with remodeled coral-stone bungalows and inviting shared spaces. close proximity to the airport providing closest access to the Korean Wreck site and private launching to the inner lagoons.
The Villages Bonefishing Lodge (Discovery Beach, Tabwakea)
A community-venue and steps from the lagoon, The Villages has an efficient daily program, and a friendly maneaba culture. Anglers appreciate their 1:1 guiding model.
Across these three lodges, anglers will find authentic island hospitality, expert guiding, and expansive flats that make Kiritimati one of the world’s great saltwater destinations.
For us, we prefer Ikari House and recommend this lodge due to their fast boats, consistent dining experience, options for single guides/boats, their location is only a couple of minutes away from the launching beach, quality rooms and lovely people.
