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Attractions & Activities Nature and culture are at the heart of things to do on Cocos Islands

Looking for the best things to do on the Cocos Keeling Islands? Discover the unforgettable experiences on offer to help you explore the natural wonders and rich culture of this remote Australian territory.

Dive into turquoise lagoons, discover Cocos Malay culture, island hop across the atoll, and relax on some of Australia’s most stunning beaches. Whether you’re after adventure or tranquility, the Cocos Islands have it all.

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A woman cycles through the coconut jungle on the Cocos Islands

Explore the Lagoon & Beyond

Surrounded by a turquoise lagoon and teeming with marine life, the Cocos Keeling Islands are a water-lover’s dream. Whether you’re exploring at your own pace or joining a guided tour to reach more remote corners of the atoll, there’s no shortage of ways to get out on the water.

Cocos Dive and Sea Scooter Tours

A scuba diver swims looks up from the ocean floor at a manta ray swimming above

Cocosday - Fishing and Boat Tours

Drone shot of a boat moving through dark blue water.

Cocos Blue Charters

Shot half below the water, half above. Below the water a freediver swims towards the bottom. Above the water, a group of people sit in a Cocos Blue boat.

Cocosday - Boat Hire

An aerial view of two people fishing from a boat in the lagoon of the Cocos Keeling Islands lagoon.

Scuba Diving

A scuba diver swims around a coral garden on Cocos Islands

Snorkelling

Snorkeller swims over staghorn coral on the Cocos Islands

Fishing

A drone shot of tow people fishing in the Cocos Islands lagoon

Kitesurfing

A kiteboarder skims along the water of the lagoon at the Cocos Keeling Islands

Home Island Culture & Heritage

Step back in time and discover the unique cultural heritage of the Cocos Keeling Islands. A visit to Home Island offers a deeper look into the Cocos Malay way of life, from traditional customs and daily rhythms to the island’s colonial history. Join a local guide to explore historical landmarks like Oceania House and gain insight into the community’s enduring connection to land and sea.

Ossie's Home Island Cultural Tour

tour ossies

Oceania House Tour

tour oceania house

Cocos Cooking Retreat

A Home Islander local stirs a pot of handmade springrolls in oil on the Cocos Cooking Retreat

Sweet As Makan Buffet Dinner

The interior of the Sweet as Makan restaurant on Home Island

Home Island Museum

An exterior view of the Home Island museum

Island Hopping

Explore the diverse beauty of the Cocos Keeling Islands by hopping between its stunning islands. Take the ferry to pristine Direction Island for a day of snorkelling and beachcombing, or join a motorised canoe tour to visit more remote spots around the atoll that few get to see.

Direction Island

Drone shot of Direction Island overlooking the lagoon and jetty

Motorised Canoe Tour

Drone shot of a group of motorised canoes beached on South Island, looking out to the other smaller islands of the southern end of the atoll.

Adventures on Land

From relaxed days exploring local art and culture to more active pursuits like fishing or golf, there’s plenty to enjoy on dry land. Discover the slower side of island life, meet friendly locals, and take in the unique charm of Cocos at your own pace.

Wild Coconut Discovery Centre

A young man presses coconuts to create coconut cream.

Cocos Picnics

The Cocos Picnics set up by the beach

Big Barge Art Gallery

The exterior of the colourful Big Barge Art Gallery on a sunny day, surrounded by coconut palms.

Cocos Land-Based Fishing Tours

A man fishes from the beach at Direction Island on the Cocos Keeling Islands

Golf - Scroungers

A group of golfers take part in scroungers golf on the Cocos Islands golf course.

Birdwatching

A white tern perched on a branch with a small fish in its beak. One of the native birds of the islands.

It is rare, in this day and age, to come upon a place so delightful in both looks and temperament that, on the very first sighting, one’s jaw does genuinely drop.

Georgia Rickard Australian Traveller

If going with the flow is how you roll, you will love the Cocos Keeling Islands. They have a small – very small – country town vibe. Your activities revolve around the exquisite lagoon whether they be snorkelling, diving, fishing, parasailing, or just relaxing under a coconut palm reading a book while inhaling the frangipani infused air

Steve Klein Curious Campers

Scuba diving at Cocos Keeling islands is nothing short of spectacular. Fabulous visibility, pristine coral reefs, abundant marine life and all the trappings of a tropical paradise without the flashy resorts. Yes, it is isolated and it takes some effort to get there, but this is more than offset by the quality of the diving, the friendly locals and the very laid back and relaxing ambience of the entire place. It is quirky, fun and a great place for a holiday. We will return and soon

Phillip Tubb Melbourne

Don’t miss this place. My wife and I recently spent a fantastic week on Cocos Keeling Islands. We took the opportunity to take the twice weekly ferry service from West Island to Direction Island... we loved it so much we came back for a second time.

Mike G Joondalup

Home Island is definitely quieter than West Island with religion a big part of daily life but the locals were so friendly and welcoming. It was so nice to be able to swim straight off the shore in amazing turquoise water while we cooked BBQs at sunset. Highly recommended!

Pete