Baggage The weight limit on Cocos Keeling Islands flights is 23kg per person of checked luggage and 7kg of carry-on baggage.
Excess baggage, such as surfboards, golf clubs or food boxes, are carried on a subject-to-load basis. They are not guaranteed to uplift on the same flight and can arrive on following flights. With this in mind, always pack essentials, such as medication and spare clothes, in your carry-on.
What to bring
- It’s casual here, so your dress can be too. When visiting Home Island, please bring clothing to cover your shoulders and knees
- Swimming costume, beach towel, hat, mossie spray and sun protection
- Shoes for bush and reef walking, flip flops for around town
- A light raincoat for occasional showers
- Any medication (in your carry-on)
- Food options that meet dietary requirements
- Gear for adventuring, catching fish or exploring the ocean
Swim fins and snorkel masks are available for hire from The Visitor Centre, open Monday – Saturday.
What is accessibility like on the islands?
Given our remote location and lack of infrastructure, travel to Cocos is recommended for those who have a reasonable level of mobility.
Swimming spots on West Island are only accessible via stairs or off-road beach access and are located at each end of the island – at least 5km from the main settlement. They are therefore usually reached by hired vehicle or e-bike. Public transport to the ferry is available, however it is not wheelchair accessible.
There are small health clinics on both West and Home Island but please note there is no hospital and resources are limited.
Booking travel insurance
Given our remote location with just one airline in operation, travel plans to Cocos can be disrupted. To ensure you’re covered, we recommend booking comprehensive domestic travel insurance before you arrive.
Do I need a passport or visa to travel to Cocos Keeling Islands?
No, passports and visas are not required when travelling from Perth. However, you will need to show photo identification for each traveller – including children – to clear customs and immigration.
We recommend bringing a valid passport nonetheless, in the case of a flight diversion to another country. For more information, please see here.
Bringing Food
It’s back to basics on Cocos and that’s why you’ll love it. You can buy a small range of groceries from local supermarkets on both West Island and Home Island but please note that fresh produce is limited.
Most food can be brought into the Cocos Keeling Islands, except tomato and capsicum stems, fresh honey and homegrown produce. Seafood is also out but don’t worry, there’s plenty to catch! If you have special dietary requirements, please pack what you need.
If you’re bringing fresh food, please make sure to keep your shopping receipts. You will need to show these to Customs on arrival.
Internet and mobile reception
A holiday on Cocos is a chance to slow down, and disconnect. There is no mobile reception here but you can find a WIFI hotspot at the Community Resource Centre (CRC), which also has computers available for use.
You can purchase access online in advance of your trip or by dropping in when you land from Monday – Friday, 8am – 3pm. Pricing plans range from $10 – $25 depending on the amount of data you need. At the CRC you’ll also find printing services, stationary, tide charts, a book swap and more.
Looking after paradise
Please help us care for our incredible Cocos Keeling Islands environment and marine life. Your hosts will advise you on recycling but if bringing food items, please be mindful of packaging and take your keepcup, and water bottle. Tap water is completely safe to drink.
You’ll love watching the reef sharks and turtles play in the shallows but please don’t feed them or any other wildlife, including the local chooks.
Post Office
Australia Post has a postal agency on both West Island and Home Island. These are open on weekdays, over varying hours.
Express Mail is dispatched and received on Cocos Keeling Islands every second Friday, weather and freight loads depending.
Is it safe?
Yes! Families love the Cocos Keeling Islands; kids can safely roam free and explore. There are no snakes, no dangerous spiders. The island has a 30-50 kph speed limit and the roads are shared by everyone – walkers, bikes, scooters and vehicles.
There are plenty of picturesque spots for all swimming levels to take a dip but please be extremely mindful of water safety. There is no coastguard here.
Money
The currency is Australian dollars.
Debit and credit cards are widely accepted, but not everywhere. An ATM is available during opening hours at the Community Resource Centre on West Island, which dispenses $100 at a time at a cost of $2.50 per transaction. There’s also an ATM on Home Island, located at Shamroks supermarket.
It’s recommended to bring some cash with you in case of outages and small change if you plan to hop on public transport or do a round on the golf course.
Healthcare
There is a small health clinic and pharmacy on West Island and Home Island, staffed by one GP and four nurses. Overnight care is only provided in the event of awaiting a medical evacuation to Perth.
Please bring medication in your carry-on luggage as supplies are limited. Ladies, sanitary pads are available but tampons are often not.
Electricity
The same as mainland Australia – 240V AC 50 cycles, three pin plug.
