In an incredibly rare natural spectacle, 100 million giant red crabs have begun their grand migration across Christmas Island. This year’s mass march is shaping up to be one of the biggest crab migrations of the past decade, which is a delightful surprise after a particularly dry season in 2023.
If you’re not one to shiver at the sight of creepy crawlies, then you’ll want to check out the stellar scenes from what Sir David Attenborough described as “one of the top ten most memorable television moments from his life’s work.”
Where is the red crab migration?
This jaw-dropping crab migration happens on Christmas Island – a tiny, reef-fringed Australian Territory, located in the Indian Ocean, just a 3.5-hour flight from Perth. The island’s remote location, lush rainforests and balmy ocean temperatures provide the perfect habitat for red crabs, which live almost exclusively on Christmas Island.
Why do Christmas Island red crabs migrate?
Emerging from the rainforest floors of Christmas Island, a sea of red crabs embark on their annual journey to the ocean to breed and lay eggs. They follow the same migration route each year and take over the entire island, leading to traffic delays and road closures.
The male crabs migrate to the coast first, soaking up moisture before burrowing and waiting to attract a female. After mating, each female will release up to 100,000 eggs into the ocean during high tide.
When do red crabs migrate?
Mating season for the crabs kicks off after the first rainfall of the wet season, which is typically between October and November. However, it can sometimes be as late as December or January.
In 2023, dry weather delayed the spawning season by almost four months, marking the first time it had begun as late as February since Parks Australia started tracking the crabs' movements in the 1980s. Fortunately, the crab migration has returned to normal timing in 2024, with 100 million crabs spawning at the coast during the final week of November.
How to see the red crab migration on Christmas Island?
For those not squeamish about creepy crawlies, the red-hot crab migration is best witnessed on Christmas Island at Drumsite, Flying Fish Cove, Ethel Beach and Greta Beach. In certain areas, you might see up to 100 crabs per square metre of beach or rock. Eeek!
You’ll need to book early if you’re hoping to catch the crab migration in 2025, as accommodation, car hire and flights are already fully booked on Christmas Island for November, 2024.