West Island Your base for exploring the atoll
It’s also where you’ll find much of the islands’ accommodation, the Visitor Centre, the Cocos Club and several local dining options, with many tours and experiences departing from here.
More than just a practical base, West Island has plenty to explore in its own right — from quiet beaches and tropical marine life to scenic drives, local landmarks and easy day trips across the atoll.
West Island What is it like?
West Island welcomes visitors with a relaxed, low-key atmosphere from the moment they step off the plane. The main settlement is home to many of the islands’ everyday essentials, including the supermarket, Visitor Centre and the Cocos Club — the perfect place for a yarn with locals over a cold drink.
Beyond the settlement, the island opens out into beaches, coastal tracks and places of interest waiting to be discovered. Stretching around 10 kilometres from end to end, West Island is best explored by car, though adventurous visitors may prefer to discover it by bike.
West Island Things to do
Explore palm-lined tracks, spend long hours on white-sand beaches, or snorkel among tropical marine life at places like Trannies Beach and Pulu Maraya.
For adventure travellers, West Island is an excellent base for some of the best fishing and snorkelling in Australia, as well as kitesurfing during the trade wind season. Birdwatchers will also find excellent opportunities to spot special vagrant species.
There are a few surprises too, including the world’s only golf course set across an international runway, along with a couple of quiet surf breaks.
West Island Where to stay
West Island is home to most of the 144 visitor beds available across the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Accommodation ranges from self-contained apartments to welcoming holiday homes, with most located in or near the settlement.
West Island Where to eat
Dine under the stars, pick up takeaways made with love, or settle in for a meal featuring local flavours. West Island is home to a handful of small, family-run eateries, as well as the Cocos Club — the go-to for a cold drink and a catch-up.
The supermarket on West Island also stocks a range of basic supplies for self-catering, and free gas BBQs dotted around the island make it easy to enjoy dinner with a view.
West Island Getting Around
Hiring a car is the easiest way to make the most of your time on West Island, especially if you’d like to explore beaches, snorkelling spots and quieter corners of the island at your own pace. E-bikes and push bikes are also a fun way to discover hidden tracks and take in the scenery more slowly.
The ferry to Home Island and Direction Island departs from Rumah Baru, around 5 kilometres north of the settlement. A local bus service is available to shuttle ferry passengers between the settlement and the jetty.
Day trips from West Island
West Island is a great base for exploring other parts of the atoll, whether you’re heading off on a day trip or joining a local tour.
Home Island
Take the ferry across the lagoon to Home Island, home of the Cocos Malay people. The ferry runs daily except Sunday, with Wednesday a particularly popular day to visit thanks to the weekly Cocos Malay buffet dinners.
Direction Island
Spend the day on one of Australia’s best beaches and snorkel the famous Rip at Direction Island. Catch the public ferry on Thursdays or Saturdays, or join a local skipper for a private tour.
Pulu Maraya
Accessible from Scout Park at mid to low tide, Pulu Maraya is a simple little adventure from West Island. Walk across and enjoy an easy drift snorkel around the southern tip, where fish gather beneath the ledges.
Other islands
Many tours to the other islands of the atoll also depart from West Island, including the Motorised Canoe Tour, scuba diving trips and local boat tours.
Plan your stay on West Island
With most of the islands’ tourism facilities located here, West Island makes an excellent base for exploring the Cocos (Keeling) Islands — especially for first-time visitors. Start planning your trip and discover where to stay, how to get here and how to make the most of your time across the atoll.
