Travel inspiration 7 days in unspoilt paradise
This Monday-to-Monday itinerary is ideal for first-time visitors who want a balanced mix of relaxation, nature and local experiences.
Best for: first time visitors and relaxed adventurers
Pace: balanced, with a mix of activity and downtime
Highlights: Direction Island, Home Island culture, snorkelling and local experiences
Good to know: book car hire, tours and some dining in advance
Monday flights from Perth stop at Christmas Island before arriving on Cocos, making this a great itinerary if you want to combine both islands in one trip.
Many experiences are available on request and bookings are essential. Book online or get in touch if you need help organising your own itinerary.
Monday Selamat Datang, welcome!
Looking for dinner? Head down to Salty’s for gourmet, stone-grilled pizzas. Perfect to take away and eat on the sandbags for sunset. Tropika is also open this evening for a buffet dinner.
While the supermarket will be closed when you arrive, you can pre-order a box from Salty’s to pick up when you arrive.
Take the time to settle into your accommodation or strike up a conversation with a local at the Cocos Club, with happy hour 5pm – 6pm.
Tuesday Art under the palms and coconut ice cream
What’s on:
- 7.30am: Salty’s opens for coffee and treats
- 9am – 12pm: The Big Barge Art Centre and Sula Sula Servery
- 10:00am: Wild Coconut Discovery Centre Tour
- 4.30pm: Join the locals at Hash House Harriers for a walk or jog. Details on the Cocos Club Blackboard
- 5.00pm: Surfer Girl opens (book via the board out the front)
Begin your island escape at the Visitor Centre from 8:00am, where you can grab a map, the latest food guide, and arrange any last-minute tour bookings or snorkel gear hire.
Take a leisurely drive along the Sydney Highway to visit two local favourites, the Big Barge Art Centre and the Wild Coconut Discovery Centre.
It’s also the perfect day to get out on the water: join a motorised canoe tour or spend the afternoon cruising the lagoon with one of our experienced local skippers.
Wednesday A day on Home Island
What’s On:
- 7.30am: Salty’s opens for coffee and treats
- 9 am – 12pm: The Big Barge Art Centre & Sula Sula Servery
- 11:15 am: Take the ferry over to Home Island
- 10.00am: Wild Coconut Discovery Centre Tour
- 11.45am: Ossie’s Cultural Tour on Home Island
- 2.30pm: Oceania House Historic Tour
- 6:30pm: Sweet as Makan opens for a Malay buffet on Home Island. Bookings essential.
- 8:00pm: Jump on the late ferry from Home Island to West Island
Heading to Home Island today? Bring your swimmers for a relaxing swim at the picturesque Turtle Beach. Please respect the local culture by dressing modestly, ensuring your shoulders and knees are covered.
Thursday Direction Island
What’s On:
- 7.30am: Salty’s opens for coffee and treats
- 7.30am: Ferry leaves for Direction Island, via Home Island
- 2.00pm: Ferry departs Direction Island via Home Island
- 2.30pm: Ferry departs Home Island for West Island
- 3.30pm: Cocos Islands Golf Club – Scroungers Golf with Locals
- 5:00pm: Surfer Girl Restaurant opens for dinner (book via the board out the front)
Today’s the perfect day for a getaway to Direction Island – voted Australia’s best beach. Jump aboard the ferry and spend six blissful hours basking on white-sand shores, cooling off in turquoise waters, and exploring the vibrant lagoon life beneath the surface.
Don’t forget to bring ample sun protection, snacks, and water, plus your snorkel, reef shoes, and fins for a full day of island bliss.
Friday Get out (or under) the water
What’s on:
- 7.30am: Salty’s opens for coffee and treats, and stays open for lunch
- 1.30pm: Cocos Club opens for a farewell refreshment
It’s the perfect day to explore West Island and get out on the lagoon. Join a boat tour, or hire your own for a little freedom on the water.
Scuba divers can discover Cocos’ pristine underwater world with Cocos Dive, while Cocosday and Cocos Blue offer custom fishing and snorkelling trips to some of the atoll’s most memorable spots.
Saturday Explore West Island
What’s On:
- 7.30am: Salty’s opens for coffee and treats
- 9.30am: Ferry departs West Island for Direction Island
- 3.30pm: Ferry departs Direction Island for West Island
- 5.00pm: Surfer Girl Restaurant opens for dinner
Today’s another opportunity to visit the stunning Direction Island — always worth a return trip.
If you’re after something a little different, hire an e-bike and cruise around West Island at your own pace, or indulge in a gourmet picnic for two with Cocos Picnics.
At mid-tide, grab your snorkel gear and head to the south end. From there, you can wade across to Pulu Maraya and drift around the island, spotting friendly fish and other marine life along the way.
For another great swim, stop by Trannie’s Beach, or the Yacht Club at the south end – both have shaded pondoks and free gas BBQs, perfect for a relaxed lunch by the water.
Sunday The day is yours!
What’s On:
- 7.30am: Surfer Girl Restaurant opens for brunch
- 5:00pm: Salty’s opens for pizza
Ease into island life with a relaxed Sunday-style morning on the Cocos Islands. Head to the southern end of West Island for a snorkel at Pulu Maraya, or check the schedule for the tide-dependent motorised canoe safari tour.
If you’d like to explore further, local skippers can take you on tailored lagoon or offshore adventures for snorkelling or fishing – just make sure to book ahead.
Prefer to stay on land? Join local fishing expert Anthony for a land-based fishing tour and try your luck at one of his secret spots around West Island.
Monday One Last Dip
What’s On:
- 7.30am: Salty’s opens for coffee and treats
- 2.00pm: Salty’s opens for pizzas and Malay food
It’s your final day in paradise! Check with your host for check-out times and car return details before you head out for one last swim. A snorkel at Pulu Maraya or Trannie’s Beach is a perfect way to stay local and soak up the island sunshine one more time.
Drop by the Visitor Centre for a last-minute souvenir, or take a moment to browse the historical displays and collection of island books.
Before you fly out, stop in at Salty’s, which opens early today. Grab a few made-with-love curry puffs, Malay meals, or gourmet pizzas to enjoy before your journey home.
Ready to start planning your trip?
Ready to turn this itinerary into your own trip? Explore accommodation, practical travel info and local tips to start planning.
