Weather The islands experience two main seasons
During the trade wind season, consistent east to south-east winds blow across the islands from around May to October.
During the doldrums season, from November to April, you can expect more variable winds.
Most days on the Cocos Keeling Islands are sunny and warm. Evenings rarely drop below 24°C and the water temperature hovers around 26°C.
With an average annual rainfall of 2000mm, higher rainfall typically occurs from March to May. Tropical showers are often short and it’s a special experience to see the rain.
Weather Best time to visit
With warm tropical weather year-round, there’s really no bad time to visit the Cocos Keeling Islands. The best time to come simply depends on the kind of holiday you’re looking for.
From May to October, steady trade winds create ideal conditions for kitesurfing across the lagoon.
During the calmer doldrums season, the islands attract vagrant birds escaping the Northern Hemisphere winter, making it a rewarding time for birdwatchers. These calmer conditions also make the doldrums season especially well suited to diving.
What is the best time of the year to visit the Cocos Islands?
With a warm, tropical climate, any time of the year is good to visit the Cocos Islands.
Our two different seasons offer different conditions based on what activities you’re interested in.
| Season | When | Best for |
| Trade wind season | May – October | Kitesurfing, windsurfing |
| Doldrums | November – April | Diving, boating, birdwatching |
What is the weather like on the Cocos Islands?
With a tropical savanna climate, the weather is consistently warm and humid year-round.
Day time temperatures generally hover between 25 – 30 degrees. Evenings are warm, rarely dipping below 24 degrees.
It can rain any time of the year, though showers are usually short, tropical bursts.
South-east winds reduce the humidity during the tradewinds season.
What is the water temperature around the Cocos Keeling Islands?
The water temperature usually ranges between 26 to 29 degrees. Temperatures peak towards the end of the doldrums season around February to April.
When is the tradewinds season on the Cocos Islands?
The tradewinds season is roughly between May to October. The consistent south-east winds make this the best time for kitesurfers to visit.
What should I pack for a trip to the Cocos Keeling Islands?
There are a few essential items we recommend bringing with you
- Reef shoes and snorkelling gear
- Sunscreen, hat and lightweight, sun-smart clothing
- Activity-specific gear (fishing, surfing, kitesurfing)
- Medications and basic first aid (bandaids, antiseptic, pain relief)
- Mosquito repellent
- Some cash for the ferry and in case of outages
- Clothing that covers your shoulders and knees if you’re planning on visiting Home Island
