Cocos (Keeling) Islands is a travel destination in Australia and New Zealand. Its capital is West Island. October and September are its two best months to visit, ranked on 1991–2020 climate averages.
Top places to visit in Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Direction Island (natural) — Uninhabited island on the eastern rim of the North Keeling atoll lagoon — the classic tropical idyll of powdery white sand, crystal-clear-water, and swaying palms; day-trippers from West Island snorkel the outer reef channel past white-tip reef sharks, giant clams, and thick coral gardens.
Home Island (city) — Heart of the Cocos-Malay community — the densely planted village of Kampong Baru is home to the descendants of the labourers brought by the Clunies-Ross dynasty; the Malay culture, cuisine, and distinctive jukong outrigger canoes make this the most culturally vibrant corner of the territory.
West Island (city) — Administrative hub and Australian settlement of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands — the airstrip, government offices, and small shops occupy this slim, palm-fringed island; the western beach faces the open Indian Ocean and is a favourite place to watch spectacular sunsets over water stretching unbroken to Africa.
Cocos Lagoon (natural) — Shallow turquoise lagoon enclosed by the horseshoe of Southern Cocos atolls — warm, calm, and gin-clear; the sandy lagoon floor hosts sea turtles, eagle rays, and large lemon sharks; stand-up paddleboarders and kayakers explore the glassy water between the outer reef and the mangrove fringes of South Island.
Horsburgh Island Reef (natural) — The northernmost island of the Southern Keeling group, separated from West Island by a broad channel — the outer reef slope here drops steeply past coral bommies teeming with fusiliers and surgeonfish; one of the best shark-sighting dive sites in the Cocos group.
South Island Nature Reserve (natural) — The largest island of the Southern Keeling group, a protected nature reserve — nesting ground for green sea turtles and red-footed boobies; the dense coastal scrub and beach ridge provide habitat for the endemic Cocos buff-banded rail, found nowhere else on Earth.
Outer Reef Wall (natural) — The dramatic outer drop-off on the windward (southeast) side of the Southern Keeling Atoll — strong currents sweep nutrients over the near-vertical reef wall, attracting hammerhead sharks, giant trevally, and schools of barracuda; considered one of the top drift dives in the Indian Ocean.
Pulu Keeling National Park (natural) — Isolated North Keeling Island and its surrounding waters protecting the only remaining true coral atoll forest in the territory — the jungle-covered islet hosts one of the world's largest colonies of red-footed boobies; access is strictly permit-only, preserving an ecosystem untouched since the 1990s.
Jukong Sailing Experience (landmark) — Traditional Malay outrigger sailing canoes still hand-crafted and sailed by the Cocos-Malay community — the distinctive double-outrigger jukong is a living piece of maritime heritage; community sailing events on the lagoon allow visitors to witness one of the last working traditional boat cultures in the Indian Ocean.
Cocos (Keeling) Islands Sunset Beach (natural) — The western shore of West Island where the Indian Ocean horizon stretches to infinity — watching the sun sink into deep cobalt ocean uninterrupted by land for 3,000 km in any direction is an experience few places on Earth can match; the beach is also a green-turtle nesting site from November to March.