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Territory of Australia

Australia and New Zealand

Cocos (Keeling) IslandsTravel guide

Explore Cocos (Keeling) Islands visa rulesCommon scams in Cocos (Keeling) Islands

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are two groups of coral islands in the Indian Ocean, about 2,750 km northwest of Perth. This remote Australian territory has beaches, coral reefs and a distinct Cocos Malay culture.

Why go

  1. Explore coral reefs and wildlife in Pulu Keeling National Park.

  2. Learn about Cocos Malay culture at the Pulu Cocos Museum on Home Island.

  3. Take the Saturday ferry to Direction Island.

  4. Join local festivals, food nights or a friendly Thursday golf game.

Best time to go: November to April is generally calmer. The trade wind season runs from April or May to September or October, with windsurfing holidays offered from July to September; cyclone season is October to April.

Getting there

By air

  • The airport is on West Island. Virgin Australia has two scheduled flights a week linking Perth, Christmas Island and Cocos.
  • The route runs in one direction on Saturdays and the other direction on Tuesdays. Flights from Perth may stop at Learmonth to refuel.
  • Listed one-way fares are $531–909, with advance-purchase return fares available for $1,054.

By sea

  • Yachts can visit the islands, but boats arrive infrequently because the islands are remote.
  • Send notice to Customs at least four days, or 96 hours, before arrival.

Customs

  • The islands are an Australian territory, so Australian entry requirements apply. Bring the required documents.
  • Arriving yachts must follow the Customs and police procedures.
  • If you bring fruit or vegetables, show your receipt to Customs.

Getting around

  • Bus

    A bus runs from West Island Settlement to the jetty about 20 minutes before the Home Island ferry leaves. The fare is $0.50. The bus does not always pass the marked stop opposite the airport. Follow airport staff to the park north of the terminal, at the far end of Alexander Street, and wait on the shaded bench.

  • Ferry

    The ferry connects West Island and Home Island. On Saturdays it also goes to Direction Island and returns to West Island in the afternoon. The listed fee is $2.50. Get timetables from the Tourism office or the Duty Free Shop.

  • Car hire

    Drive on the left. A Car Rental and AW & KJ James Car Hire provide availability and prices on request. Cocos Autos in Bantam Village offers utility vehicles, four-wheel-drive vehicles and a 17-seat bus. Child seats and booster seats are available.

What to see and do

  • Pulu Keeling National Park

    See coral reefs, wildlife and endangered species found only in the park. Access involves a 32 km boat trip, and you need some swimming ability.

  • Pulu Cocos Museum

    Learn about Home Island's Malay culture and life under Clunies Ross rule. Displays are in Malay and English.

  • Oceania House

    This grand, heritage-listed mansion stands close to the Indian Ocean.

  • Direction Island

    Visit this remote island on the Saturday ferry, which returns in the afternoon.

  • Take a cultural tour

    Explore the islands with a local tour operator or guide yourself around.

  • Join the annual Lagoon Swim

    Individuals and teams swim from Home Island to West Island. The event ends with dinner and presentations.

Food and drink

  • Malay food

    Expect rice, noodles, curry and chilli with chicken, beef, lamb or seafood. Food is usually mild unless you ask for more heat.

  • Tropika

    Serves seafood and Western meals at the Cocos Beach Motel on West Island.

  • Rasa Di Sayang

    Serves traditional Malay food in Bantam on Home Island. Listed dinner hours are Wednesday and Friday, 6:30–8 PM, by booking.

  • Dory's Cafe

    Offers breakfast, desserts and coffee on William Keeling Drive, West Island. It also opens for dinner on Thursdays.

  • Salty's Grill & Bakery

    A bakery and restaurant at the West Island airport terminal. The source lists both daytime hours and evening specials.

  • Cocos Club food nights

    Different social clubs usually prepare a shared food night every third Friday. Meals come with raffles and a chance to meet local people.

Money

Australian dollar (AUD)

  • Supplies arrive by boat or air only a few times each month. Goods are limited and tend to be expensive, so bring your necessities.
  • Supermarkets are on West Island and Home Island. Fresh bread is available on Tuesdays and Fridays.
  • Alcohol at the Cocos Club is duty free, but its prices remove the saving compared with mainland Australia.

Typical costs

  • Bus to the West Island jetty: $0.50.
  • Saturday ferry trip to Direction Island: $2.50.
  • Cocos Beach Motel: $100–160; Cocos Castaway: $210–390.
  • Wireless internet vouchers: $6.95 per hour, $19.95 per day or $64.95 per week; check data limits.
  • Two-week internet data vouchers: $10 for 1 gigabyte or $25 for 5 gigabytes.
  • Mobile phone hire: $10 per day, $35 per week, $60 for two weeks or $100 per month.

Language

  • Cocos Malay is the main language.
  • Almost all local people speak enough English to communicate, although some elderly people may not.
  • Most people on West Island speak English.

Staying safe

  • Cyclone season runs from October to April.
  • Tropical rain can occur at any time of year.
  • Stay indoors during bad weather.
1 common scams in Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and how to avoid them

Local customs

Do

  • Respect Ramadan; local people generally do not mind visitors eating in public.
  • Cover your shoulders and knees when visiting Home Island.
  • Ask permission before photographing local people.

Don't

  • Do not enter the Home Island Mosque unless accompanied by a Muslim.

Staying healthy

  • Fresh water is limited and comes from rainwater stored in natural underground reservoirs.
  • Temperatures stay around 29°C, with evenings rarely below 20°C.
  • Wear comfortable clothing suited to the tropical sun while following Home Island's dress customs.

Phone and internet

  • Mobile connections use a satellite link, and local wireless internet is expensive. Phones can be hired from the Community Resource Centre.
  • The Community Resource Centre provides internet access, printing and wireless internet vouchers for hotspots across the islands.
  • Vouchers cost $6.95 per hour, $19.95 per day or $64.95 per week; check data limits. Other vouchers provide 1 gigabyte for $10 or 5 gigabytes for $25, valid for two weeks.
  • Many modern phones support calls over wireless internet if the phone provider offers the service. An internet calling app is another option.

Where to stay

  • The Breakers Cocos on West Island has 10 self-contained bungalow-style rooms. Contact +61 8 9162-7711 or info@thebreakerscocos.com.au.
  • Cocos Beach Motel has 28 beachfront rooms in the town centre, including three family rooms. Rooms have private bathrooms and air conditioning; contact +61 8 9162-6702.
  • Cocos Cottages overlooks the golf course and lagoon, with kitchens, covered decks and a shared barbecue area. Contact +61 8 9244-3801 or admin@cocoscottages.com.
  • Cocos Castaway lists prices of $210–390. Contact +61 8 9162-6515 or info@cocosaccommodation.com.

Outdoor adventures in Cocos (Keeling) Islands

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands offer scuba diving, windsurfing, paddleboarding and kiting in the Indian Ocean. Pulu Keeling National Park has coral reefs and rare wildlife, while an annual lagoon swim links Home Island and West Island.

  • Scuba diving with Cocos Diving

    Scuba diving

    Arrange diving with Cocos Diving. Call +61 8 9162 6515 or email scuba@cocosdive.com.

    • Cost: AUD 200–2,320; the price depends on the option booked.

  • Pulu Keeling National Park

    Wildlife

    Access is by a 32 km boat ride. For enquiries, email cocos-lodge@kampong.cc.

    • You need some swimming skills to reach the park.

  • Windsurfing with 2nd Wind Sailboards

    More to do

    July to September; the operator runs during these months only.

    Arrange a watersport holiday with 2nd Wind Sailboards.

  • Stand-up paddleboarding with 2nd Wind Sailboards

    More to do

    July to September; the operator runs during these months only.

    Arrange a watersport holiday with 2nd Wind Sailboards.

  • Kiting with 2nd Wind Sailboards

    More to do

    July to September; the operator runs during these months only.

    Arrange a watersport holiday with 2nd Wind Sailboards.

  • Annual Lagoon Swim

    More to doLagoon between Home Island and West Island

    Annual event; dates vary each year.

    Enter as an individual or a team. Check the event date with the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Tourism Association before booking travel.

  • Thursday golf at Cocos Islands Golf Club

    More to doWest Island

    Thursday afternoons

    Meet at the Donga, next to the West Island Supermarket, at 3:30 PM on Thursday. All adults are welcome, and clubs are available to hire.

Airports, metros and trains in Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Airports with scheduled flights

  • CCKCocos (Keeling) Islands AirportWest IslandMain international airport

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 0 of 2 countries can visit Cocos (Keeling) Islands easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • eVisa1
  • Visa required1

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Asia0 of 1 countries
  • Europe0 of 1 countries

Questions

Is Cocos (Keeling) Islands part of Australia?

Cocos (Keeling) Islands is a territory linked to Australia, with its own entry rules. Check them separately even if you can visit Australia.

Does a Australia visa let me visit Cocos (Keeling) Islands?

Not automatically. Many territories set their own entry rules, so a visa or visa-free entry for Australia may not cover Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Check the Cocos (Keeling) Islands visa page for your passport.

How do I get to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands?

Virgin Australia has two scheduled flights a week linking Perth, Christmas Island and Cocos. The airport is on West Island.

What weather should I expect?

Days stay around 29°C, with evenings rarely below 20°C. Rain is heavier from March to July, and cyclone season runs from October to April.

How do I travel between the islands?

A ferry connects West Island and Home Island. On Saturdays it also visits Direction Island and returns in the afternoon.

What money should I use?

The currency is the Australian dollar. Supplies are limited and tend to cost more because deliveries arrive only a few times each month.

Can I communicate in English?

Yes, almost all local people speak enough English to communicate. Cocos Malay is the main language, while most people on West Island speak English.

Will my phone and internet work?

Connections use a satellite link, and local wireless internet is expensive. The Community Resource Centre hires out phones and sells internet vouchers.

Is the local food very spicy?

Malay dishes include rice, noodles, curries, meat and seafood. Food is usually mild unless you ask for more heat.

What should I wear on Home Island?

Cover your shoulders and knees, and choose clothing that is comfortable in the tropical sun.

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