Life on the water Room to breathe, space to explore
With fewer visitors and vast stretches of untouched coastline, Cocos offers the rare chance to experience the ocean without the crowds.
Swim, snorkel, dive or relax on beaches where nature takes centre stage.
Life on the water A marine paradise unlike anywhere else
Surrounded by a protected marine environment, Cocos is home to incredible biodiversity above and below the water.
Discover thriving coral reefs, abundant marine life and a unique island ecosystem shaped by the sea.
Life on the water Experience the ocean your way
Whether you’re diving beneath the surface, casting a line, riding the wind kitesurfing or simply enjoying a dip in the warm lagoon, Cocos invites you to spend time with the ocean at your own pace.
Life on the water A tropical marine paradise, closer than you think
No passport required, Cocos (Keeling) Islands offers a truly unique Australian island experience. Flights depart from Perth with QantasLink twice weekly, with options to travel direct or via Christmas Island in just over four hours.
With so much to see and do, we recommend staying 7 nights or more. Go island hopping, spend time on and in the water or just enjoy having the beach and lagoon all to yourself.
Still Australia — just wonderfully different.
Top water activities
A week of on the water
Day One - Explore the Southern Atoll
Skim across turquoise waters on the Motorised Canoe Tour, exploring the beautiful islands of the southern atoll lagoon. Drift snorkel at Pulu Maraya, search for rare blue-tailed skinks on Pulu Blan Madar, and slow down on peaceful South Island.
Day Two - Dive Beneath the Surface
Discover Cocos’ incredible underwater world with a scuba dive across two of more than 20 mapped dive sites. Local operator Cocos Dive will tailor your experience to the weather and your skill level, helping you make the most of the day’s conditions.
Day Three - Direction Island
A day on Direction Island is a Cocos must-do. Catch the ferry or join a local skipper, before taking on the famous Rip drift snorkel among vibrant corals and an incredible array of marine life.
Day Four - Cast a Line
From the shallows to the open water, Cocos offers fishing for every kind of angler. Join a local skipper to target coral species in the lagoon or head offshore in search of pelagic fish — or try your luck from the beach, where XL bonefish and silvery trevally can be found.
Day Five - Ride the Tradewinds
Visiting between May and October? Take to the lagoon with the tradewinds and experience kitesurfing in Cocos’ beautiful sheltered waters. Bring your own gear or join an island guide and experience the thrill of gliding across the turquoise water.
Day Six - Spend a Day Island Hopping
Hire a boat with Cocosday or join a local skipper to take in more of the southern atoll, discovering quiet beaches, tiny islands and the changing colours of the lagoon along the way.
Day Seven - One Last Swim
Before your flight home, there’s still time for one last swim or snorkel. Spend your final hours at Trannies Beach or the Yacht Club, soaking up the sun and savouring one last taste of island life.
Plan your trip
When to visit
The Cocos Keeling Islands have a tropical savanna climate year-round. Evenings rarely drop below 24°C and the water temperature hovers around 26°C.
- Trade wind season from May to October is ideal for kitesurfers
- Fishing, diving and snorkelling can be done year round, but the calmer conditions during November – April can make this the best time for being out on the boat
What to know
Planning a trip? We recommend booking well ahead to get the best deal on flights and secure your accommodation.
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are beautifully remote, with simple, back-to-basics facilities — and that’s exactly what makes them so special. Take a look at our FAQs to see if Cocos is the right fit for your kind of getaway.
How to get here
QantasLink flies to the Cocos Islands twice weekly from Perth on Mondays and Fridays.
Flights include a stop at Christmas Island, offering a chance to visit two islands in one trip. Use the Multi-city function in the booking engine to book a trip that includes both Cocos and Christmas.
Where to stay
On West Island, you’ll find beachside bungalows, self-contained apartments and family-friendly holiday homes.
Head across to Home Island stay in the Clunies-Ross ancestral home or welcoming homestays.
