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The Cocos Keeling Islands

The Cocos Keeling Islands are located approximately 2700km North West of Perth, Western Australia.

It consists of two atolls and 27 coral islands.

The two main islands (Home Island and West Island) are inhabited by approximately 600 people.

The Cocos Keeling Islands are an Australian territory.

The Cocos Keeling Islands

Photo Credit: NASA’s Earth Observatory

West Island

Getting Around Cocos Island

Bus Services

Buses

Bus services operate Monday to Saturday, as per published timetables, which are available below (and also from the Resort’s reception).

The bus services cover the Settlement to Rumah Baru (where the ferry departs) and return.

View Bus Timetable

Ferry Services

Ferry Service

Ferry services operate Monday to Saturday between West Island and Home Island, as per published timetables, which are available below (and also from the Resort’s reception).

In addition to these services, on a Thursday and Saturday, ferry services run from West Island to Direction Island (and return).

View Ferry Timetable

 

Things to Do

The Cocos Keeling Islands have a wide range of activities available to guests.

From sedate activities such as glass-bottom boat tours, to adventure sports such as kiting or diving, Cocos Island has it all!

Some popular activities include:

  • Birdwatching
  • West Island Orientation & Coconut Tours
  • Kiting
  • Bike hire
  • Glass-bottom boat tours
  • Scuba diving or snorkeling
  • Motorised outrigger canoes and kayaking
  • Fishing – shore-based, in the lagoon, or for the more adventurous, deep sea fishing
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Hash
  • Reef walking
  • Surfing
  • Swimming
  • North Keeling National Park

Please ask at reception for more information on these activities and bookings.

 

Visiting Direction Island

The Resort’s sailfish twin hull boat, the Ikan Layar, will be running trips for the Resort’s guests on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, departing West Island at 9am and Direction Island at 1:30pm. This service will commence in July 2016.

This service is only available to Resort guests, with a minimum number of 4 people per trip.

Bookings for this can be made at reception at a cost of $10 per person return trip.

Please note that this service may not operate when there is a requirement for the Cooperative to unload ships when the Ikan Layar crew will be deployed for this operation.

Ikan Layar

Bike Hire

One of the best ways to explore the West Island is by hiring a bike. Bike hire is available from Sandy Feet (walking distance from the Resort).
Cocos Island Bike Hire

Car Hire

There are a number of businesses that offer vehicles for hire on Cocos Keeling Islands, and Resort staff can assist in making bookings for vehicles.

Supermarket

The West Island Supermarket (operated by the Cooperative) is less than 5 minutes walk from the Resort, and carries a wide range of items.

Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8am – 3pm
Saturday: 9:30am – 3pm

West Island Supermarket

Business Services

The Resort’s business centre provides services such as IT, photocopying, printing, and more. The business centre can also provide interpreting and translation services if required. The Resort also has a training centre which is based in the light industrial area of West Island and can be used for meetings, training, and presentations.

Please see reception for more details.

Banking (all within 5 minutes walk from the Resort)

The Resort incorporates a Commonwealth Bank Agency, which is open on Wednesdays only.

The Community Resource Centre incorporates an ATM, which is available Monday to Saturday.

The Australia Post Agency also has banking facilities and acts as an agent for Western Union.

The Cooperative’s supermarket on West Island also has cash out facilities.

Weather

WillyWeather weather forecasts.

WindFinder: wind, waves and weather forecasts.

Tide charts are available from the Community Resource Centre (a short work from the Resort).

Telephone Services

Mobile telephone services that use carriers on the Australian mainland do not work in the Cocos Keeling Islands.

Mobile telephone systems are provided by Indian Ocean Territories Telecom Pty Ltd, and SIM cards for this service can be obtained from the Community Resource Centre on West Island.

Home Island Museum

The Shire of the Cocos Keeling Islands operates a Museum on Home Island, which is open Monday to Friday. Access to Home Island is via the Ferry Service.

More Information on Cocos Island

More information on Cocos Island is available on the Australian Government’s Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development website and the Cocos Keeling Islands Tourism Association website.