Destination : The Villages, Christmas Island

Captain Cook arrived for a brief visit on December 24, 1777, hence the name.  The Villages opened in 2006 on the pristine white sands of Discovery Beach, overlooking the aqua waters of the largest atoll (250 square miles) in the world.  It’s been called “The most consistent bonefish destination on the Planet.”  Beginning and experienced anglers from all over the globe visit the island in search of bonefish and trevally on the flats inside the 125 square mile lagoon, or chase tuna, grand trevallies, wahoo and sailfish offshore.  The nearest bonefish flats are directly in front of the lodge, and the boats will pick you up and drop you off each day, from your doorstep. Its location is only a short 10-15 minute skiff ride to several large, shallow, easily waded flats, teeming with bonefish, some in double-digit sizes.  This is the only lodge with this unique advantage, offering longer fishing days.  Anglers return year after year.

The Villages was built and is owned by a nearby community in the Village of Tabwakea. They have taken great pride in providing the highest quality accommodations on Christmas Island.  The Villages features 6 air-conditioned, double twin-bed bungalows, that can comfortably accommodate up to 12 anglers at a time; a private bathroom with hot and cold running water in each unit; a porch facing Discovery Beach, with rod racks; a stocked refrigerator and ample storage for your clothing and gear. You can fish right outside your door, just 100’ from the lagoon. The facilities are very nice by Christmas Island standards.  For those readers who have not been to Christmas Island, think “fish camp” not “Marriott.”

A ”maneaba”, a local name for the anglers gathering center, lies in the heart of the complex featuring a comfortable lounge and dining area, all with an elegant South Seas atmosphere. Locally flavored seafood and meats are prepared by an experienced local chef and served by his trained staff. The lodge chef prepares delicious dinners combining South Seas cuisine and American dishes. A full hot breakfast is served each morning before fishing and guests prepare a sandwich lunch of their choice from a small buffet to be put in their cooler each day. Meal schedules can vary with tide phases, if necessary, to keep fishermen on the water during the best times of day.

Guest rooms have a stocked refrigerator containing bottled water, sodas and beer, which are inventoried daily. The bar has limited liquor, wines, beer and soft drinks that will be charged to your room bill. Your bar and refrigerator tab is payable at the end of your stay.

Please inform us of any dietary restrictions in advance, before departure.

The biggest advantage at the villages is that your boat meets you just a few steps from your bungalow.

Anglers will be transported to the fishing in versatile South Pacific style, sea-worthy skiffs to the many productive bonefish flats and to the reef drop-offs for exciting light tackle tunas, trevally, wahoo, rainbow runners and bonito.

The lagoon is a maze of deep blue channels and white sand flats loaded with the local bonefish. There are also miles of narrow flats and shallow reef zones on the ocean sides of the island that can be waded and fished when the tides are favorable. In addition to bonefish, the flats and channels contain trevally (giant, blue fin and golden), goatfish, puffers and yellow snapper, all of which will grab your bonefish fly. Mullet and milkfish are an abundant food source for local netters, most of whom no longer target bonefish or trevally.

The head guide, Teannaki, will schedule the daily fishing, according to the tide, water, sun position and weather conditions. Each day anglers will leave from the beach in their assigned skiff with their guides and boatman. A short ride brings you to some of the best bonefish flats. Christmas Island offers the largest white coral and sand flats on Earth. In most cases a guide will assist every 2 anglers and switch back and forth, according to who might need the most help. All of the bonefishing will be by wading and the flats will vary from 6 inches to 3 feet deep. The guides will select flats according to the wind and sun position, whenever possible, in the anglers favor. The guides and the anglers will always be in sight of one another for safety on the flats. The boatman moves the skiff to follow the anglers and guides, so you’ll be within easy walking distance from your skiff in the event that you want to get to your tackle, food, snacks or water.

Versatile South Pacific style skiffs are used to transfer anglers right from “The Villages” beach to the many productive bonefish flats and reef drop-offs. The pick-up trucks used by other lodges have been eliminated here, so anglers are able to maximize their valuable fishing time.

Great fishing for big trevally (10-15 lbs) and huge snappers, along with tuna, wahoo and other pelagics can be found outside the mouth of the lagoon in open water.  Fishing is done from the big sea-worthy outriggers along the deep drop offs and coral reefs that surround the island.

When fishing the “Korean Wreck” waters or some other sites that can only be reached by using land vehicles, they will be used. The head guide will discuss these special areas when they are fishing well. If an extra skiff and guide is requested, you may discuss it with Teannaki and find out the availability and additional cost.

Guides

The head guide at The Villages is Teannaki. He’s been guiding anglers onto fish for the past 24 years and still teaches even the most experienced anglers a thing or two about bonefishing.  All of the guides are experienced and knowledgeable in all types of fishing. They have been previously employed by other island facilities and guided the area flats and outside reef waters for years.

Fishing License:

$50 CASH at the lodge

7 Night / 6 Day                                                                                           $2,390

•  Tuesday – Monday (coincide with weekly flight to and from the island)
• Double occupancy
•  Two anglers per guide (4 anglers per boat)

Remember Fishermen’s Spot Travel services are always FREE to you!  You never pay more than what you would pay if you booked directly with the lodge.

• All Meals
• Guides (one per two anglers standard)
• All transfers between the lodge and Christmas Island Airport

• Airfare to and from Christmas Island
• Fishing equipment & tackle (no gear or tackle is available on the island)
• Fishing License
• Alcoholic beverages
• Gratuities for guides and staff

Suggested guide tip is $15.00 – $20.00 per person per day. Anglers can tip their guide more (within reason) for exceptional service.  Staff tips are typically $5.00 – $10.00 per person per day and can be paid to the staff at the front desk on check-out.  Tip for boatman is typically $5.00 per person per day.

Fly into Christmas Island via Honolulu, Hawaii.  Air Pacific, the airline of Fiji, flies every Tuesday between Honolulu and Christmas Island with a stop-over on the way to Fiji, making it the most dependable flight service the island has ever enjoyed.

Plan on staying overnight in Honolulu Monday night and the following Tuesday night when the flight returns.

Arrival

On arrival to Christmas Island, you will clear Customs and The Villages staff will be there to meet you and transfer you to the lodge. Once the guests arrive at the lodge, unpack and settle-in, they will be briefed about the weeks fishing program with the guides on hand.

Airport Tax

There is a $20 departure tax for passengers leaving Christmas Island.