Christmas Island and Fanning Island are Part of the Line Islands and are two remote atoll destinations in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. They are famed for their breathtaking tropical beauty and fantastic saltwater fly fishing, attracting adventurous travelling rods from around the globe. For over a decade, we’ve been sending anglers to this unique part of the world, and our standalone trips to each island have always proven incredibly popular, which is why now, we’re excited to offer you our exclusive combo trip visiting both Islands in one holiday.
This unique trip offers travelling anglers the opportunity to fish both atolls in nineteen days, experiencing the fantastic flats fishing on offer at both destinations. It’s a trip tailor-made for the serious saltwater fly angler, who yearns to visit some of the most remote places on earth to wet a fly in pursuit of their quarry. It’s perfect for those who don’t need luxury resorts but for those who want to explore year-round tropical paradises and experience island cultures at their finest. Both are rustic out-and-out flats fishing destinations that have remained the same for generations.
Vast numbers of Bonefish, giant GTs, are the main attractions; however, good-sized Milkfish, colourful Parrotfish, and Triggerfish are also viable options on the fly. Combine this with stunning scenery and serene island life, and it’s easy to see why both are at the top of the list regarding the most desirable fishing locations on the planet.
As it’s known, Kiritimati, or Christmas Island, is a Pacific Ocean coral atoll in the northern line islands, situated 2,156 kilometres from Honolulu. The island has the most significant land area of any coral atoll globally, measuring 388 square kilometres; it also has a stunning blue water lagoon of roughly the same size. As a country, it encompasses an impressive 33 Pacific atolls and islands; however, on a map, it’s nothing more than a mere dot surrounded by thousands of miles of ocean. It is this remoteness that has made the island what it is today.
Established as one of the first saltwater fly fisheries globally, many modern techniques and fly patterns were forged on its iconic flats, and it’s now known as one of the most consistent wade fisheries on the planet. This unique natural masterpiece combines all the elements critical to saltwater fly fishing success; endless hard sand flats, consistent all-year-round weather and remarkable numbers of fish.
It offers spectacular sport with vast numbers of Bonefish, abundant populations of beautiful coloured Triggerfish and groups of substantial Giant Trevally. As a result, the island offers some of the best and most unspoilt saltwater fly fishing on the planet, and it remains one of the finest destinations in the world for both beginners and experts alike.
Fanning Island, known as Tabuaeran, is also an atoll that is part of the Line Islands in the central Pacific Ocean, situated 228 nautical miles above the equator, just an hour and ten-minute flight from Kiribati (Christmas Island). Covering a land area of just over 33 square kilometres, with a vast, spectacularly beautiful interior lagoon spanning over 100 square kilometres, it’s an exciting tropical island paradise with an abundance of saltwater fly fishing opportunities.
Described as the island that time forgot, with a population of just over 2,000, compared to some 20,000 now on Christmas Island and with no regular flights until 2016, the number of visiting anglers can be counted on just a couple of hands. Travelling rods who’ve been lucky enough to visit this incredible destination haven’t even scratched the surface, and the range of saltwater species that inhabit its waters have rarely seen a human, let alone an anglers fly.
With miles of hard white sand that stretch for miles, the perfect habitat for various Pacific flats species, the island is home to big Bonefish, giant GTs, numerous other Trevally species, Parrotfish and Napoleon wrasse, to name just a few. The fishing on the island is traditional flats fishing, with most of it done on foot – just the way it should be.
This combo trip offers anglers the chance to fish both Christmas Island and Fanning Island in one holiday. It comprises of nineteen days from start to finish, providing five days of fishing on Christmas Island at the beginning of your holiday and finishing with six days of fishing on Fanning Island at the end. The trip is limited to just six rods, keeping angling pressure to a minimum and maintaining the island’s unspoilt feel at both destinations. With only two flights per week and the possibility of being delayed or cancelled by weather, everyone visiting needs to be flexible and happy to live on ‘Island Time’.
The fishing on both islands is navigated by deep hulled Panga style boats, and all the fishing is traditional saltwater flats fishing, most of which is on foot, wading, and sight fishing for your quarry. On both islands all the fishing is based around a luxury one-on-one guiding experience. Each day the Pangas set off to the fishing grounds with two anglers, two guides (one junior and one senior) and a boat driver – meaning you’re in excellent hands and well looked after.
At both destinations, the guides are world-class professionals who have amassed a considerable amount of hard-earned experience regarding all facets of fly fishing at these remote atoll destinations. They’re highly skilled in pursuing all the species the islands have to offer, and they know which flat to be on, in what weather conditions and in what state of the tide. They are some of the atoll’s most skilled and passionate workers.
With both destinations located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, hundreds of kilometres away from mainland civilisation, the accommodation is relatively basic and would be best described as rustic.
Due to its incredibly remote nature, there are no emergency rooms, hospitals, air conditioning and only limited power. There is a refrigerator, lighting and charging points, but these are all solar-powered and not always one hundred percent reliable. The accommodation is a fishing camp and not a luxury Lodge, and it’s purely designed as somewhere to sleep and eat after a successful day on the flats.
NEW for 2025 Fanning Island now has WiFi via Starlink, which is incredible given its absolute most remote location. This means you can now keep in touch with your family and friends at home. It also offers added peace of mind in case of an emergency.
With Christmas Island less remote than Fanning and a larger population and infrastructure, the accommodation is a little more advanced. The newly built Tropical Flats Fishing Lodge features four rooms, with an outside bar and eating area, and it sits halfway between the airport and boat dock on the surf side of the road.
With limited supply deliveries per year, the food on the islands is very straightforward but tasty. Much of the table fare is fish and shellfish sourced from the ocean, with sides of rice and fruit. So it’s worth taking a range of crisps, snacks and any treats from home which you can fit in your case. Soft drinks and water get included during your visit, and if you’d like any alcohol during your stay, you can purchase from duty-free at the airport in Honolulu.
Fishing an average of eight to ten hours a day in a tropical climate, we recommend that you’re in good health if you decide to take a trip.
If you’d like to learn more about these incredible saltwater fly fishing destinations in the Pacific Ocean, visit our YouTube channel.
Although the fishing days are fixed, the below itinerary is still flexible should you require additional free days to explore at the beginning or end of your holiday; we can tailor this itinerary to suit you personally. Feel free to talk to our travel consultants who can explain all options available.
Depart Any international Airport (See Details)
Arrive Los Angeles Depart Los Angeles
Arrive Honolulu
On arrival in Honolulu, you will need to transfer to your overnight hotel.
Overnight Accommodation: Hawaii Hotel (Twin Room) R/O
A free day to relax and explore in Hawaii.
Overnight Accommodation: Hawaii Hotel (Twin Room) R/O
After breakfast, you will need to taxi to the airport to catch your flight to Christmas Island.
Depart Honolulu
Arrive Christmas Island
Note: The flight from Honolulu is only 3 hours, but you cross the International Date Line.
Once you land on Christmas Island, Matt the representative from Fanning Island, will meet you at the airport and transport you to Tropical Flats Fishing Lodge. Once there, you’ll be free to explore this tropical island paradise. An evening meal is also included in your stay.
Overnight Accommodation: Tropical Flats Fishing Lodge Christmas Island (Twin Room) F/B
For the next 5 days, you’ll be fishing the tropical flats of the lagoon for all manner of saltwater species.
You and your fishing buddy will be picked up each morning around 7am, returning home by 6pm. The boats used for pick-up are deep hulled Pangas, and you’ll be accompanied by two guides (one senior and one junior) and a boat driver.
Overnight Accommodation: Tropical Flats Fishing Lodge Christmas Island (Twin Room) F/B
After breakfast, you will be taken back to the airport for your private flight to Fanning Island.
Flights normally depart at 9am, and it’s a 1.5-hour flight. Once you have arrived, subject to flights being on time, there is the possible opportunity to have a few hours of fishing.
Overnight Accommodation: Fanning Island Lodging (Twin Room) F/B
Over the next 6 days, you will, with your guides, get to explore and experience just how virginal the fishing is on Fanning Island.
You and your fishing buddy will be picked up each morning around 7am, returning home by 6pm. The boats used for pick-up are deep hulled Pangas, and you’ll be accompanied by two guides (one senior and one junior) and a boat driver.
Overnight Accommodation: Fanning Island Lodging (Twin Room) F/B
The morning is free to either explore the island or fish for half a day. You need to be packed and ready to depart at 12:30pm.
Depart Fanning Island
Arrive Christmas Island
On arrival, you will be taken to your overnight accommodation.
Overnight Accommodation: Tropical Flats Fishing Lodge Christmas Island (Twin Room) F/B
You will need to be ready to depart Christmas Island at 7am.
Depart Christmas Island
Arrive Honolulu
Note: The flight from Christmas Island is only 3 hours, but you cross back over the International Date Line.
Once you arrive in Honolulu, you’ll need to transfer to your overnight hotel, where you’ll be free to relax and explore the local surroundings.
Overnight Accommodation: Hawaii Hotel (Twin Room) R/O
In the morning after breakfast, you’ll need to transfer to the airport ready for your return flight home.
Depart Honolulu
Arrive Los Angeles Depart Los Angeles
Arrive Home
The season runs from January to December.
Season: All Year
Peak: August to February
Weight: 5lb to 140lb
Average Weight: 37lb
Season: All Year
Peak: October to February
Weight: 1lb to 13lb
Average Weight: 3lb
Season: All Year
Peak: October to February
Weight: 1lb to 20lb
Average Weight: 8lb
Season: All Year
Peak: August to February
Weight: 1lb to 10lb
Average Weight: 3lb
Season: All Year
Peak: November to December
Weight: 5lb to 30lb
Average Weight: 7lb
Season: All Year
Peak: August to February
Weight: 5lb to 20lb
Average Weight: 10lb
Remember that Sportquest Holidays' services are completely FREE! When you book a trip with Sportquest Holidays, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge and flights independently.
| From | To | Duration | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/12/2024 | 31/12/2024 | 12 | £10,347 | Enquire Now |
| 01/01/2025 | 31/01/2025 | 12 | £10,702 | Enquire Now |
| 01/02/2025 | 28/02/2025 | 12 | £10,702 | Enquire Now |
| 01/03/2025 | 31/03/2025 | 12 | £10,702 | Enquire Now |
| 01/04/2025 | 30/04/2025 | 12 | £10,702 | Enquire Now |
| 01/05/2025 | 31/05/2025 | 12 | £10,702 | Enquire Now |
| 01/06/2025 | 30/06/2025 | 12 | £10,702 | Enquire Now |
| 01/07/2025 | 31/07/2025 | 12 | £10,702 | Enquire Now |
| 01/08/2025 | 31/08/2025 | 12 | £10,702 | Enquire Now |
| 01/09/2025 | 30/09/2025 | 12 | £10,702 | Enquire Now |
| 01/10/2025 | 31/10/2025 | 12 | £10,702 | Enquire Now |
| 01/11/2025 | 30/11/2025 | 12 | £10,702 | Enquire Now |
| 01/12/2025 | 31/12/2025 | 12 | £10,702 | Enquire Now |
I was lucky enough to visit Christmas Island many moons ago when the fishing on the island was still relatively new, so I did have some idea of what Fanning Island would be like, but I must say it was everything I expected and more. The fishing was incredible and reminded me of those first few exploratory trips to Christmas. I had a great week landing a bunch of Bonefish and the fish I was really after the Giant Trevally. Over the week I landed at least one GT a day, with the biggest weighing in at an estimated 60lb. The accommodation was very basic, but I was prepared for that and it's as you'd expect with somewhere so remote. In short, I loved it and would certainly like to return one day.
The journey to get to Fanning was incredibly long and it has been one of the most remote places in the world, but was it worth it? Absolutely! I would do it all again tomorrow. The fishing and the island is unspoilt and every day you felt like you were fishing virgin water. Throughout my trip, I enjoyed some of the most fantastic fishing I've ever experienced landing Bonefish, GTs and even a couple of big Parrotfish. If you like your home comforts then it's probably not the place for you, the accommodation is incredibly basic and more like camping, but to me, it was comfortable and ideal for just getting your head down in the evenings.
Everyone travels to Xmas in search of GT's, after watching your video countless times my group was all fired up.
All though our action was never as good as the video, the GT fishing chasing them with a fly rod was brilliant.
I have never felt so apprehensive before, when standing on the flats with a pair of big GT's working down the end of the flat, looking at my rod I though never in a million years do we stand a chance. But the advice was spot on so a massive thank you.
between the 6 of us we managed 42 Gt's on the fly for the week biggest was 109cm see pictures attached.
Andy, great catching up on the telephone and wow fantastic pictures, so glad that everything came together for you all.
So only one thing left now a return trip ????
We had been looking and talking about Christmas Island for a long while. Why did we wait? All our concerns disappeared once we had talked to Peter at Sportquest. His experience about this destination is priceless.
They say proof is in the pudding and that became very evident while at the airport in Christmas Island on our return. That is the first time you get to talk to other visitors to the island staying at other lodges. When we showed them what we had caught as a group there was some very long faces. Being with the right lodge, guides and boats and armed with all the correct information, little tips and correct tackle obviously made a huge difference.
Conclusion if you wish to travel all that way DO NOT do it unless you speak with Peter at Sportquest. We are all going back next year with out fail, simply amazing, thank you.
Arnold
Thanks for such a glowing report and all your kind words. I am so happy that you all enjoyed the trip and more important you listened to the advice. As you said many many people think its just a matter to travel there and the fish will just jump on. Only the other day i saw a report from a group that went to another lodge from the UK and had a disaster. What was worse is they then said the fishing on Christmas was not any good. Which as you all well know is far from the truth.
Have to get you on one of my hosted trips as it would be very nice to fish together.
A real pleasure, talk soon
Regards
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