Cocos (Keeling) Islands Airport

For complete information about the Cocos (Keeling) Islands attractions and accommodation, please go to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Tourism Association website.

Cocos (Keeling) Islands offers its visitors a true tropical island experience. Deserted beaches, turquoise and azure blue tropical waters and fabulous sunsets are the ‘norm’ here. If you need a myriad of shopping centres and restaurants, gift shops and organised tours to make your trip complete, then a holiday on Cocos (Keeling) Islands may not be for you.

Prison Island		Pulu Maraya at Sunset

But if the idea of relaxing, exploring the natural beauty of a tropical island on your own, exceptional snorkeling and diving in warm tropical waters, or being involved in any of the regular activities offered on the island for the locals, then a visit here is right up your alley. Tourists are greeted by the locals right from the moment when they step off the plane and immediately feel as if they are a part of this close-knit community.

Sunset from Beacon Heights		Direction Island

West Island, on which the airport and the majority of accommodation is located, is only around 12 kilometers long and 1 kilometer wide, which makes it ideal to explore by walking, push bike or, for the less energetic, by car. Bikes and vehicles can be hired at very reasonable rates from a number of hire operators. Hire operators greet each plane, so look for their sign when leaving the arrivals building. To avoid disappointment, book your car hire through your travel agent or Cocos (Keeling) Islands Tourism Association prior to your arrival.

Home Island also has many wonderful attractions on offer. A half hour ferry ride costing $2 takes you across the lagoon to Home Island most days where the majority of the residents (pop. ~550) are Cocos Malays. Please note that the Cocos Malays are devout Muslims, so please dress conservatively when visiting Home Island by covering shoulders and knees to avoid offending

A day trip to Direction Island is a definite must each Saturday, when the ferry detours to Direction Island (DI) for a day of swimming, snorkeling and relaxing. The view is picture postcard perfect with white sandy beaches and refreshing turquoise waters. Fish life is abundant, especially in the Rip, so snorkeling is a must. Enjoy your picnic lunch under the yachties shelter – adorned with signs, plaques and calling cards from all our yachting visitors. BYO reef shoes, snorkeling gear, picnic lunch, water, drinks and sun protection for a memorable day.

If fishing is your interest, talk with the locals to find out how to catch that illusive dogtooth tuna, sailfish or wahoo. Scuba diving in and around the atoll is first class, with the steep drop-off of the reef edge providing a veritable underwater paradise of flora and sea life. If you don’t like getting under the water, there’s always a trip in the glass bottom boat to show you the wonders of the deep – and you’re guaranteed to see a friendly reef shark or two.

The months of July through to October bring the wind adrenaline junkies to the island in search of the strong Trade Winds for wind surfing and kiteboarding. Surfers, you don’t get left out as Cocos (Keeling) Islands offers a unique left-hand break suitable for beginners and experienced boarders alike. Of course, you could always just grab a book and chill out on the beach. For travelers with windsurfers, kiteboards or surf boards, please contact National Jet Systems in the transporting of your boards as flight bookings may require you to send it over before your arrival on island.

Temperatures are fairly consistent on Cocos (Keeling) Islands no matter what the season, remaining around a comfortable 27-29°C with a minimum evening temperature rarely dropping below 20°C . Tropical rainstorms can be experienced during the doldrums season of February to April, however it usually rains at night, leaving you to bask in the glorious sunny days. The Cocos Bureau of Meteorology website offers a full overview of climate averages.