Kiritimati (Christmas Island)

Kiritimati, or Christmas Island, in Kiribati's remote Line Islands, is the largest coral atoll in the world by land area, a vast, flat and sparsely populated ring of reef enclosing an immense lagoon dotted with countless smaller lagoons and salt flats. It is world-famous among anglers as one of the greatest destinations on earth for saltwater fly-fishing, its endless shallow, crystalline flats teeming with bonefish, giant trevally and other prized species, drawing fishing enthusiasts from around the globe. The atoll is also a spectacular wildlife sanctuary, home to millions of nesting seabirds across its protected islets, one of the most important seabird colonies in the Pacific.

What you actually see

• The bonefishing flats - the world-class saltwater fly-fishing.
• The vast lagoon - the immense lagoon and salt flats.
• The seabird colonies - the millions of nesting seabirds.
• The remote atoll - the largest coral atoll on earth.

When to go

April to October tends to offer good conditions, though Kiritimati can be visited year-round in its warm climate; the fishing is a year-round draw, and conditions vary with weather and tides. The atoll is reached by infrequent flights from Fiji or Honolulu, so trips must be carefully planned around the limited schedules.

Honest expectations

Kiritimati is extraordinarily remote, reached only by infrequent flights, with very basic facilities and accommodation geared largely to visiting anglers, so it is a specialised, well-planned trip rather than a casual destination, and appeals above all to serious fishers and dedicated birdwatchers; the wider nation of Kiribati is among the least-visited and most climate-threatened on earth. For world-class bonefishing on the largest coral atoll on the planet by land area, and spectacular seabird colonies, though, Kiritimati is a remote and remarkable draw.

Nearby

The other Line Islands and the distant capital of Tarawa are reached by air.