Getting to the Lodge:
To reach Christmas Island, guests need to arrange travel to and from Honolulu, Hawaii (HNL) and Christmas Island (CXI). Guests need to make arrangements to overnight in Honolulu the night before their scheduled arrival to Christmas Island.

Arrival Day:
Guests traveling from North America and Europe, need to arrive in Honolulu, Hawaii, no later than the Monday before the trip start date. There is only one flight per week to Christmas Island via Fiji Airways, departing Honolulu every Tuesday at approximately 12:00 PM. For this reason, there are no viable same-day arrival options, so guests will need to book a hotel in Honolulu for Monday night.

Departure Day:
Guests need to book the only Fiji Airways flight that departs Christmas Island (CXI) for Honolulu (HNL) on the Tuesday they are scheduled to depart the lodge.

Flight Note:
The flight between Honolulu and Chrismas Island crosses the International Date Line. This means guests will arrive on Christmas Island on Wednesday after departing Honolulu on Tuesday. The same is true on the way back from Christmas Island. Guests depart Christmas Island on Wednesday and arrive back in Honolulu on Tuesday.

Recommended Travel Agent:
Due to the very limited flight schedule between Honolulu and Christmas Island, it is recommended to book the Fiji Airways flight with a travel agent.

Vanessa Vartanian, Ultimate Vacations
(808) 949-8100 ext. 6 or (808) 526-2611 ext. 6
(313) 539-2099 - Mobile
vanessa@ultimatevacations.us

Documentation Requirements:
To enter the Republic of Kiribati (Christmas Island), all guests are required to have the following:

• Passport: Valid with at least six months' validity from thedeparture date.

Currently, no additional visa or exit tax requirements are in place.

Currency:
The official currency of Kiribati is the Australian dollar (AUD). It is recommended that guests order Australian dollars from their bank prior to the trip. There are a few ATMs on the island, but they are not always reliable. Additionally, the currency exchange counter at the Honolulu airport is frequently closed.

Travel Cash:
We recommend each guest travel with

• $1,000 (AUD) per week of travel.
• $300(USD) per week of travel as a backup to cover the fishing license, gratuities, beverages, laundry, and incidental expenses.
• Larger denominations such as $50s and $100s are acceptable, but ideally, denominations of $20s are great to have for smaller gratuities.

Credit Cards:
The lodge accepts credit cards, but we still recommend bringing cash, as many services on the island operate intermittently.

Gratuities:
The following are guidelines, and all gratuities are up to the discretion of the individual guest. We recommend planning for $400 (AUD) in gratuities for the week.

• Guides: $40 (AUD) per person per day when sharing a guide, or $80 (AUD) per person per day for solo anglers. This should be given directly to the guide at the end of each day, as guides rotate throughout the week.
• Boat and Truck Drivers: $40 (AUD) per person for the week. This can be left with the head fishing guide, Bita, at the end of the week.
• Lodge Staff: $80 (AUD) per person for the week. This can be left at the end of the week and given to the lodge manager/hostess for distribution.
• Hostess: $40 (AUD) per person for the week. This can be given to the hostess directly at the end of the week.

Fishing License:
Fishing licenses are not included and cost approximately $350 (AUD). Fishing licenses are paid in cash (AUD) upon arrival on Christmas Island.

Electrical Requirements:
Christmas Island follows the Australian electrical standard and uses the Type I plug configuration, which features three flat pins arranged in a triangular pattern.

Cell Coverage and Wi-Fi:

• Cell Coverage: Cell coverage is available on the island. We recommend that guests check with their carrier regarding service and international plans.
• Wi-Fi: There is typically good Wi-Fi at the lodge via StarLink, which is capable of Wi-Fi calling. During busy hours, particularly in the afternoons when anglers return from fishing, the connection can slow down, but it is generally reliable enough for texting.

Power:
The island operates on 220 – 240V AC power, supplied 24 hours a day by the local grid and supplemented by on-site generators. While short outages are still relatively common, backup generators typically restore power within a minute or two.

Laundry:
Laundry is available daily for a small fee (approximately $3 (AUD) per item). Any laundry services provided will be added to a tab to be settled at the end of the week. Baskets are located in each room, and laundry is usually returned the following day, although rainy weather can occasionally delay drying times.

Water:
The tap water is not safe to drink, but filtered or boiled water is available at every meal. Between meals and on the water, bottled water is provided.

Beverages / Alcohol:

• Bottled Water: Four bottles per day are included. Additional bottles (approximately $3 (AUD) per bottle) will be added to a tab to be settled at the end of the week.
• Soft Drinks and Beer: Not included. Beverages can be purchased at the lodge bar and will be added to a tab to be settled at the end of the week. Drinks cost approximately $3-5 (AUD) per can, depending on availability.
• Alcohol: Not included. Hard alcohol is generally difficult to source on the island. Guests are encouraged to purchase liquor at the duty-free shops in the Honolulu airport prior to coming to the island.

Climate:
Christmas Island has some of the most consistent weather on the planet. Surrounded by water and located just over a hundred miles north of the equator, there is almost no seasonality. That is not to say the weather is always the same, just as conditions where you live can vary throughout the month. However, January and July are pretty much indistinguishable here.

One common concern among first-time visitors is that it will be “too hot.” While the climate is certainly warm, it is rarely oppressively hot. Typical temperatures range from nighttime lows around 77°F to daytime highs near 88°F. Combined with lightweight clothing and the island’s nearly constant trade winds, most first-time visitors are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the conditions feel.

Emergency Medical Assistance:
There are little to no medical services available on the island and only a weekly air service back to Honolulu. Guests are responsible for any necessary medical evacuation and are strongly encouraged to have medical evacuation coverage.

Recommended Medical Evacuation Carrier and Insurance Provider:
A Global Rescue membership for medical evacuation coverage is highly recommended. In the event of a serious medical emergency, options without evacuation coverage are extremely limited.

Global Rescue

For questions or to obtain a quote, please contact our Global Rescue representative.

Daniel Chomko
617-459-4200 or 802-291-0855
dchomko@globalrescue.com

Documents:
Passport, plane tickets, itinerary, cash (AUD and USD), credit cards.

Wading Boots:
A sturdy pair of wading boots is essential. Some of the flats can be waded in sandals, while others are comprised entirely of dead and fossilized coral that can destroy lightweight booties. You will spend eight or more hours per day in these boots. This is one of the least exciting, but most critical, pieces of equipment you will bring with you. Choose a high-quality, great-fitting boot, you will be glad you did.

Boat Bag:
One boat bag. This does not need to be an actual boat bag, although those are very handy. Any medium-sized bag that offers compartments and some water resistance will work. This will accompany you on the boat or truck each day and act as a supply station for various items you would like to keep handy, but not carry on your person all day. Think larger fly boxes that you can refill pocket boxes from between stops, along with snacks, sunscreen, extra leaders, and tippet.

Fishing Bag:
One bag that you can wear while carrying enough tackle and essentials for a few hours. The most popular options are either sling-style bags or fanny packs. Waterproof and lightweight options both work, each offering its own advantages. This should have enough space, or a dedicated spot, for a water bottle as well.

Pliers:
Forceps, such as the Dr. Slick scissor pliers, work just fine for crimping barbs, releasing fish, and trimming flies for bonefish and triggerfish. A lightweight pair of saltwater pliers is also a nice option and offers extra assurance when removing hooks from a toothy GT.

Line Clippers:
Any standard line nippers will work.

Knife:
One medium-sized travel knife will come in handy at times.

Socks:
Two pairs of synthetic soccer-style socks are nice to wear inside lightweight neoprene wet-wading socks. Make sure to size your boots accordingly so they can accommodate both layers comfortably. Bare feet in flats boots are a recipe for crippling blisters.

Flats Shirts:
Hooded sun shirts are particularly important here. Christmas Island may have the most intense UV exposure of any location in the entire Fly Water catalog. Add to this the unique aspect of the wind blowing from the east 99% of the time, meaning each morning will have both the wind and the light at your back. A hood, Buff, and a good hat can essentially keep you in the shade for most of the morning.

T-Shirts:
Two or three T-shirts to wear around the lodge can be a nice break from synthetic clothing.

Pants and Shorts:
Our favorite combination is a pair of quick-drying shorts layered over synthetic leggings, such as Under Armour. This combination provides protection from the sun, cuts, and scrapes while minimizing splashing and resistance in the water. The shorts worn over the tights prevent you from looking like an elf and also typically provide a few handy pockets for additional gear.

Warm Layers:
A puffy jacket or hoody is nice for the plane ride and for when you arrive back home to whatever frigid weather you fled in the first place. This will likely only be used on either end of your trip and stashed away during your stay on the island.

Rain Jacket:
One high-quality, lightweight, breathable, packable rain jacket. Try to choose a color that is not overly bright, as flats fish have notoriously sharp eyesight.

Hats:
Two fishing or baseball hats.

Sun Gloves / Stripping Guards:
Two pairs of sun gloves, along with spandex stripping guards, can save your hands and fingers from both sunburn and line burn.

Lodge Shoes:
One pair of flip-flops or Crocs to wear on the plane and around the lodge.

Face Sun Protection:
At least two Buff-style facial sun protectors.

Sunglasses:
At least two pairs, and possibly more. Fishing without polarized sunglasses is nearly impossible. Plan on a general-purpose lens color such as brown or copper, along with a lighter amber or yellow lens for cloudy or rainy conditions. A backup general-purpose pair can be critical in the event of loss or breakage. The nice thing is that these are likely the same glasses you would wear fishing almost anywhere else, so they will have utility well beyond Christmas Island. Do not forget a few lens-cleaning cloths as well.

Lip Balm:
One tube of SPF 30+ lip balm

Sunscreen:
SPF 50+. We like to have at least one large bottle, along with several smaller containers that can be spread between your boat bag, sling or fanny pack, and even your pockets.

Camera:
Do not forget extra batteries and a waterproof case or bag.

Headlamp:
One small LED headlamp with extra batteries.

Snacks:
Assorted energy bars, nuts, beef jerky, and other snacks to supplement lunch. Electrolyte packets to add to your water are also highly recommended.

Baggies:
A handful of various Ziploc bags can be very handy for keeping snacks and smaller items dry and organized.

Toiletries Kit:
Toothpaste and toothbrush, deodorant, razor, lotion, mini shampoo bottle, Advil, liquid bandage for minor finger cuts, sleep aids, ear plugs, Band-Aids, antibacterial ointment, Benadryl, Gold Bond powder, seasickness medication, and antibiotics prescribed by your doctor.

First Aid Kit:
A small first aid kit for the inevitable cuts, scrapes, and other minor eventualities.

Water Bottle:
One reusable water bottle.