Cocos (Keeling) Islands: See
Take cultural tours with some of the local tour operators or guide yourself around the islands to explore why they call the Cocos Islands a "nature and water lover's paradise".
During the year, as well as the traditional events such as Easter, New Year, Christmas, the Cocos host a number of unique events. These include the annual Lagoon swim, where competitors swim from Home Island across the lagoon to West Island. Individuals or teams may enter and whether you are a serious contender or wish to join in with the Hash House Harriers (who always seem to get themselves disqualified for one thing or another), everyone has a load of fun. It finishes in the evening with dinner and presentations to the winners and boat drivers.
Other unique events are the mid-year Cocos Ball, quiz nights, Music & Wine festival, Ardmona Cup and Cocos Olympics. All visitors are encouraged to join in with these festivities and activities. Dates vary from year to year. Please check with the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Tourism Association before booking for events.
Visitors to the island are also welcome to participate in the School Fete, Sports Carnival and concert events.
Cocos Diving, ☏ +61 8 9162 6515, scuba@cocosdive.com. $200-2320.
2nd Wind Sailboards. July through to September only. Watersport holidays. Windsurfing, SUP'ing, kiting.
1 Pulu Keeling National Park, cocos-lodge@kampong.cc. An unspoiled national park, full of coral reefs and rich in wildlife. It is accessible via a 32-km boat ride, although you will need to have some swimming skills to get there. The national park is also home to several endangered species, which can only be found in Pulu Keeling National Park.
2 Pulu Cocos Museum (Pulu Cocos Museum Cultural and Heritage Precinct, Home Island Museum). This multipurpose visitor centre and museum was established to preserve Home Island's distinct Malay culture and what the islands were like under Clunies Ross' control. It includes objects used by the indentured Malay labourers with military objects, along with some otherwise seemingly random objects that preserve the island's distinct culture (such as wayang kulit). Everything in the museum is bilingual in Malay and English. (updated Oct 2022)
Oceania House is a regal, heritage-listed mansion where colonial grandeur meets untouched tropical paradise just steps from the Indian Ocean.