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Snorkelling Snorkelling on Cocos can be like swimming in an aquarium!

The Cocos Keeling Islands are home to over 500 species of fish, hundreds of hard corals and molluscs, crustaceans and echinoderms.

It’s possible to see many vibrant, colourful fish and turtles just a few metres from shore, or you can hop on a local tour boat or motorised canoe and explore.

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are one of Australia’s most pristine snorkelling destinations, protected by an outer reef that shelters a turquoise lagoon filled with vibrant marine life.

Unlike many mainland spots, snorkelling here is uncrowded and accessible, with coral gardens and fish life flourishing just off the beach.

A man snorkels the rip drift snorkel at Direction Island, with coral and fish in the foreground.

Snorkelling Where to snorkel on Cocos Keeling Islands

The calm lagoons around the southern end of West Island and the swimming / snorkelling beach Trannies are ideal for kids and beginner snorkellers. As are the waters on the foreshore at Home Island and Direction Island.

The famous rip at Direction Island is an underwater paradise for strong swimmers with fins, or for swimmers of all levels with a tour boat arranged to do pick ups.

From Scout Park on West Island, you can take a short reef walk across to Pulu Maraya at low to mid tide and snorkel the shallows or current that floats around the island to catch a glimpse of the many clams, rock cods, butterfly fishes, angel fishes and parrot fishes along with coral algae and friendly turtles.

Hidden gems around the eastern atoll including Prison Island and the Broccoli Patches can be reached with the help of a local skipper. 

A man snorkels the coral gardens of the Cocos Islands

Snorkelling The best time for snorkelling on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands

With water temperatures that hover around 26-29 degrees year round, anytime is a good time to snorkel on Cocos. 

Some locations are tide dependent, so check the conditions before you head out. 

A snorkeller takes a break on a palm tree on the beach on the Cocos Islands

Planning your snorkelling trip

Many of Cocos’ top snorkelling spots are accessible just off the beach, but you’ll need a car or bike to reach spots like Trannies or Scout Park. 

Local operators offer snorkelling tours and boat trips around the lagoon and eastern atoll. Snorkel gear (mask, snorkel and fins) is available for hire from the Visitor Centre, though fin sizes are limited.

We recommend bringing a prescription mask if needed and reef shoes for walking over coral or rocks. Remember to bring cash for your gear deposit. 

Cocosday Motorised Canoe Tours

A motorised canoe beached on South Island

Cocos Blue Charters

Drone shot of a boat and a snorkeller at the Phaeton Shipwreck on the Cocos Islands

Cocos Dive

Two snorkellers underwater with sea scooters on the Cocos Islands

Cocosday

A half underwater shot of a coral bommie, with a palm fringed shore in the background

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