The 10 best things to do in the Cocos Keeling Islands

There’s no better way to describe the beaches on Cocos than paradise on Earth. With 26 kilometres of coastline to explore, you’ll never run out of spots to get sandy – and quite often, you’ll have the whole beach to yourself. The average water temperature sits between 26 and 29 degrees Celsius year-round, meaning you could swim, surf and snorkel until you turn into a dried prune. Trannies Beach and Scout Park are local favourites on West Island, while Turtle Beach and Sandy Point are hidden gems on Home Island. For the most picture-perfect scenes and swims, head to Cossies Beach on Direction Island, which Tripadvisor named Australia’s number one beach in 2017.

Glide across the shimmering seas of the Cocos’ untouched southern atoll on an action-packed canoe tour with Cocosday. Launching from West Island, you’ll ride across to Pulu Maraya for a drift snorkelling adventure, where you’ll come face-to-face with hundreds of marine species, including friendly turtles, harmless reef sharks and colourful coral. You’ll also enjoy drinks and nibbles on Pulu Blan Mada beach, then cross the calm, azure waters to Pulu Blan to spot blue-tailed endemic skinks. The half-day tour wraps up with a taste of freshly husked coconut on South Island, before you embark on the 25-minute journey back to West Island. The fully motorised canoes make this tour accessible to all fitness levels. 

Housed inside a rustic timber boat abandoned deep in the jungle, The Big Barge is hands down one of the coolest art centres we’ve ever come across. After nearly a decade of restoration by local artist Emma Washer and her father Terry, the ferry now houses a captivating collection of art by 18 island-connected creatives. From woven baskets and wall tapestries to jewellery and prints, each piece reflects the islands’ natural beauty, with many even using materials washed ashore – think nets, toothbrushes and thongs. The Big Barge Art Centre is only open on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, with baked goods and ice-cold drinks available to enjoy overlooking the water at the adjoining Sula Sula Servery.

Get lost in the beauty of Home Island’s charming kampong (local village) and serene foreshores by taking a scenic 20-minute ferry ride from West Island. You can learn about the island’s history and way of life by joining one of Ossie’s Cultural Tours. During the tour, you’ll learn the art of basket weaving from local elders, watch a coconut husking demonstration and even enjoy a traditional Cocos Malay lunch prepared by Ossie's family. Solo adventures can jump on a buggy and explore Home Island’s secluded beaches, or stay overnight at Oceania House – a 1893 federation-style mansion that offers a fascinating glimpse at the Clunies-Ross dynasty. Remember to dress respectfully on Home Island, covering your shoulders and knees at all times.

You won’t need a compass to find your way to one of Cocos’ best-kept secrets, Direction Island. Catch the ferry from West Island on Thursdays and Saturdays, and spend the day relaxing under palm trees, swimming at Cossies Beach (voted Australia’s best in 2017, if you didn’t already hear), and drift snorkelling the lagoon’s natural rip, which is home to more than 500 species of tropical fish (reef shoes are a must). Direction Island is nothing more than sand and sea, so bring plenty of food, water and sun protection. For something extra special, glide over on a Sea Scooter Tour with Cocos Dive or island hop in a glass-bottom boat with Cocos Blue Charters.

Make your first or last sunset on Cocos even more magical with a beautiful, handmade picnic by the beach. Fairy lights, cushions and candles set the scene for your intimate golden hour picnic, all set up at a secluded spot overlooking the shimmering seas. Cocos Picnics caters for all dietaries on request, and along with gourmet goodies, each basket comes filled with Champagne, glassware, card games, a speaker, towels and more. 

Ditch your sea legs and hop on an e-bike to discover the hidden jungle tracks of West Island. Phat Tours runs fully-guided adventures, where you’ll ride along coconut-lined paths and through lush palm-fringed canopies, leading you to some of the island’s most beautiful beaches. Keep an eye out for the famous coconut crabs, which can grow up to one metre wide. 

The crystal-clear seas surrounding the Cocos Keeling Islands are like real-life aquariums, teeming with more than 500 species of fish and 150 types of coral, plus green turtles, reef sharks and manta rays that can be spotted from the surface. Trannies Beach on West Island is a perfect snorkelling spot for beginners and kids, with gear available for hire at the visitor centre. At low tide, you can walk across the shallow reef from Scout Park to Pulu Maraya, where the gentle current makes for great drift snorkelling around the tiny, uninhabited island. Strong swimmers can tackle the famous rip at Direction Island, where vibrant coral, schools of fish, giant clams and more await beneath the surface.

You won’t find any fast food or chain restaurants in the Cocos, and that’s all part of its charm. There are only three restaurants on West Island, each opening on alternate days and times (don’t worry, at least one is available for every meal). Head to the takeaway window at Salty’s Bakery and Grill for baked goods and coffee (Mon-Sat), stone-grilled pizzas (Tue and Sun), and locally caught fish and chips (Fri). Watch the waves roll in from Surfer Girl Brewery’s beachfront backyard, offering Mediterranean Mondays, Coconut Thursdays and classic Sunday brunch. Or, try local Cocos Malay dishes at Tropika, with $15 weekday lunch specials and buffet dinners every night. Later, head across the road to Cocos Club for a cold beer and chit-chat with the locals. 

Home Island is another haven for traditional Cocos Malay cuisine, with curry puffs, curries and laksa on rotation at the newly opened Sweet As Makan and the long-time favourite Kampong Café.

West Island is home to one of Australia’s most unusual golf courses, where locals casually tee off in flip-flops with a cold drink in hand. This nine-hole golf course is the only one in the world set across an international runway, and is surely also one of the most scenic in Australia. You can join the locals for a laid-back round of scroungers every Thursday at 3.30pm, with clubs available to hire from The Donga.  If you’ve got an official handicap, you can also get in on the action during the Sunday competition.