The Temaiku Bonefish Flats

At Tarawa's southeastern corner the lagoon spreads the Temaiku flats - kilometres of tidal sand where bonefish work the skinny water in tailing schools, and a quiet fly-fishing tradition wades the silver at dawn and dusk tides with local guides who read the pushes by long practice. The flats' scale absorbs any number of casts; herons, reef sharks' pups and the lagoon's glare share the sessions; and the fishery's under-the-radar standing (Kiritimati takes the fame) keeps the experience personal. Non-anglers borrow the same flats for the walking - silver to every horizon at low water.

Highlights

• The tailing schools - bonefish in the skinny water.
• The tide pushes - the flats' silver schedule.
• The wading horizons - kilometres of low-water walking.
• The guide craft - local reading of the pushes.

When to go

May to October with the trades; tides rule sessions absolutely - guides time the pushes.

Things to know

Sun discipline is survival - the glare doubles; flats footwear and catch-and-release ethics are the standing kit and custom.

Nearby

Temaiku village, the airport corner and the lagoon's breadth.