Christmas Island Outfitters: Set Apart by People, Place & Purpose

We remain incredibly proud of our 26-year partnership with Christmas Island Outfitters . The operation is owned, operated, managed, and hosted by native Christmas Islanders, directly benefiting Christmas Islanders. When you visit, you feel that in every interaction. This is their home. They are rightfully proud and protective of it, and they welcome guests with genuine warmth, curiosity, and a sincere desire to share their remarkable island with those willing to make the journey.

Through the decades, Fly Water Travel has supported Christmas Island Outfitters at every turn, and we could not be more proud of the people involved or more excited about where the destination is headed today.

When our founder, Brian Gies, first met Bita Kairaoi, the founder of Christmas Island Outfitters, they bonded immediately over a shared passion for flats fishing. Bita was the consummate Kiribati guide, deeply knowledgeable, genuinely passionate about his island and its fishery, and eager to share both with visiting anglers. He also understood that guiding could create sustainable livelihoods for his friends, family, and community for generations to come.

With Bita’s son, Kiatanna, taking over in 2025, that legacy continues. So does the original purpose behind the operation, to provide for the people of Christmas Island, protect and honor the fishery, and care for every guest who visits.

A Small, Dedicated Guide Team

Christmas Island Outfitters prioritizes quality, consistency, and experience. This is not the largest guide operation on the island, but it is one of the most seasoned and steady teams we know. Nearly all of the guides have been at it for more than ten years, with several having spent more than twenty years walking these flats.

That kind of continuity matters. These guides know the tides, the fish, the flats, and the rhythm of the island in a way that only comes from years of repetition and real investment. Whether you are brand new to flats fishing and hoping to land your first bonefish, or a seasoned saltwater angler searching for a trophy triggerfish, this crew will meet you exactly where you are.

The Lodge

Sunset Horizon Lodge is your home base for the week. Ideally situated right on the beach and only minutes from the boat basin at London Harbor, it gives guests a simple, comfortable, and deeply authentic place to settle into island life.

The name is fitting. Facing west, the outdoor dining area is treated to a remarkable sunset on most evenings. This is not a resort with linen tablecloths and a dress code, but it more than makes up for that with natural beauty, easy access, clean air-conditioned rooms, and the kind of genuine Kiribati hospitality that makes guests feel looked after from the moment they arrive.

Hostess "Lisa"

If you have traveled to Christmas Island Outfitters with us in recent years, you have almost certainly met Binatia Arebonto, known to most guests simply as "Lisa". She is Fly Water’s on-island representative, though that title barely captures what she means to the experience.

As you clear customs and step out into the brilliant equatorial sun, Lisa is often one of the first people you see. Her smile, warmth, and calm presence set the tone for the week. From arrival to departure, she looks after guests with genuine care and attention, helping smooth the edges of travel in a place that is wonderfully remote and very far from ordinary.

If you need something and are not sure who to ask, ask Lisa. She may not be able to solve every situation, but she will give it her absolute best, every single time. In many ways, she embodies what makes Christmas Island Outfitters special, capable, kind, attentive, and deeply connected to the place guests have traveled so far to experience.

What Makes Christmas Island Outfitters Special?

Christmas Island Outfitters is not trying to be something it is not. It is a locally owned andoperated program with deep roots, a long history, a small and experienced guide team, an oceanside lodge, and a host who cares for guests like they matter.

For anglers drawn to Christmas Island, the fishing will always be the main attraction. But the reason so many guests return with us year after year has just as much to do with the people, the purpose, and the feeling of being welcomed into a place that is being shared with pride.