2025 Cocos (Keeling) Islands Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in August)

#australiatrip The Cocos (Keeling) Islands, an untouched paradise in the Indian Ocean, offer crystal-clear waters, swaying palm trees, and vibrant marine life. This Australian territory consists of 27 coral atolls, with only two inhabited, providing a tranquil escape from the modern world. Visitors can snorkel among colorful reefs, dive historic shipwrecks, or relax on the stunning Cossies Beach, often called Australia’s best beach. The islands also have a rich Cocos Malay culture, reflected in local cuisine and traditions. With warm hospitality, breathtaking scenery, and world-class water activities, the Cocos Islands are a dream destination for nature lovers and adventurers alike.

#australiatrip The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are a hidden tropical gem, offering pristine beaches, crystal-clear lagoons, and world-class snorkeling and diving. This remote Australian territory boasts a peaceful, laid-back atmosphere, perfect for those seeking an escape from crowded tourist destinations. Direction Island’s Cossies Beach, often ranked among the world’s best, provides a postcard-perfect setting for relaxation. The islands also offer a rich blend of Australian and Cocos Malay culture, adding a unique charm to the experience. Whether exploring vibrant coral reefs, enjoying water sports, or simply unwinding in paradise, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands promise an unforgettable island adventure.

#australiatrip The Cocos (Keeling) Islands, a remote Australian territory in the Indian Ocean, are a tropical paradise of 27 coral atolls with white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and abundant marine life. Perfect for snorkeling, diving, and kite surfing, the islands offer world-class water activities in an unspoiled setting. Home to a unique blend of Cocos Malay and Australian cultures, visitors can experience warm hospitality, traditional cuisine, and rich history. Whether relaxing on Direction Island’s breathtaking Cossies Beach or exploring the vibrant underwater world, the Cocos Islands provide an idyllic escape for those seeking adventure, tranquility, and natural beauty.

🌊 Compared to Wuzhizhou Island, if you have a limited budget and time, just visiting West Island is enough! The expenses are much more friendly and there is a higher degree of freedom! 🌊 Moreover, West Island is close to the airport and downtown! Transportation is convenient, it only takes 15 minutes to drive from the airport to West Island, and you can take buses No. 16, 25, 30, 32, 55, or 57. 🌊 For self-driving navigation, you can set your destination to the Xiaoqi Port Wharf of West Island, where there is a free underground garage. The parking lot at the tourist center costs 8 yuan a day, but it's more convenient to park at the tourist center. 🌊 The ticket is actually the ferry ticket! A round-trip ticket is all you need to buy once, with adult tickets costing 90 online and 98 offline. It's more convenient to buy online, but you need to purchase at least one hour in advance! There is a waiting period for the ticket to become effective, and student tickets are 48. 🌊 The ferries to West Island generally run every 15-30 minutes, and they stop admitting visitors after 4 pm! The ferry ride takes 15 minutes, and you can usually finish touring the entire island in 3-4 hours. 🌊 The famous stone wall is just a ten-minute walk to the left after exiting the tourist center! If you can't find it, you can directly ask the staff with a map. 🌊 The homestays on West Island offer good value for money, all relatively new. If you want to catch the tide and enjoy a leisurely time, you can choose to stay on the island, with budget homestays priced around 300-500. 🌊 Hotels on West Island are priced roughly between 1000-2000. It's better to compare multiple accommodations! Most homestays offer shuttle services. 🌊 Some homestays provide free electric scooters and tide-catching tools. The electric scooters can only go as far as the bottom of Niuwang Ridge, and from there you need to take a tour bus or walk up. 🌊 There are two types of scenic tour buses: private tour buses cost 35 per person, running to and from Niuwang Ridge from the tourist center. 🌊 The scenic tour bus costs 25 per person from the fishing village to Niuwang Ridge, with lines No. 1, 2, and 3. There are stops in between where you can get off, with line No. 1 going directly to Niuwang Ridge, and lines No. 2 and 3 going to the fishing village. 🌊 It's recommended to go to the island in the morning. It gets crowded at noon, and there are small fish where you disembark. Fish bait costs 10 yuan per bag, so you might want to bring some food to feed them. 🌊 On the east side of West Island, there are coastal homestays and a fishing village, while the west side leads directly to Niuwang Ridge. Most water activities are on the east side. You can store luggage on the second floor of the tourist center, but remember to retrieve it before 5 pm! 🌊 The activities on West Island are relatively cheaper compared to Wuzhizhou Island. If you want to participate in activities, it's suggested to buy a package ticket before going to the island to save some money. 🌊 Tide-catching spots: Niuwang Ridge, Turtle Beach; Photo spots: Seaside Bathing Beach, Coral Stone Wall, Heart Graffiti Wall, Niuwang Ridge, Sea Library, Coconut Palm Beach. 🌊 The lounge chairs at the Seaside Bathing Beach are charged by the hour! The rate is 60 for one hour and 100 for two hours, so it's recommended to bring your own beach mat to sit on. 🌊 West Island allows pets! Pets must be placed in an aviation box for the boat ride. If you don't have an aviation box, you can rent one at the entrance for 30, with a 300 deposit. 🌊 On the island, you can rent small electric scooters for 45 for the whole day or around 15-20 per hour. It's more affordable to rent them in the fishing village, with small tricycles costing 60 for the whole day or around 40 per hour. 🌊 There are many snack options on West Island, but not many restaurants, so the choices are limited. The popular shrimp cake shop often has long queues. Personally, I suggest eating before going to the island. If you're unsure what to eat, you can try Jiang Hainan cuisine, Buzaike seafood, Xiao Bai's Oriental Roast Suckling Pig, or Qiong Er Sour Coconut Chicken, which are really good.