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Cocos Islands
General Information
The islands form 2 atolls, consisting of 27 coral islands encircling a lagoon. Located 2700 km’s North West of Perth in the Indian Ocean. There are only two inhabited islands and all accommodation properties, shops and the airport are all located on the one, West Island. Departing from the local jetty, there are several daily ferries to Home Island, which is where the local Malay community live. Updated departure times are available from the Tourism Centre in the heart of town.
The Cocos Keeling Islands offer the traveller, crisp blue skies, fine white beaches all set in a lush tropical environment. You can explore the surrounding reefs and get close and personal with the amazing marine life or lull away your time relaxing in privacy on many of the beautiful deserted beaches. Enjoy the space and opportunity to escape to your own island for a day!
Isolation is the key with tourist’s visiting the islands, as its nearest neighbour, Christmas Island 900km away to the east. Step back in time as the old and the new mix in gentle quietness. Apart from a few new buildings and houses, the islands look as they did hundreds of years ago… quiet, relaxing and beautiful! You’ll have to experience the difference to truly understand.
With a population of 650, this destination will not offer hustle and bustle, nor attract the shop-a-holic but if you are interested in an unspoilt, quiet, safe, relaxed and friendly place, you can not look past the Cocos Keeling Islands!
Accommodation
TopCocos Beach Motel
Ocean front motel located in the main settlement area with air-conditioned and fan cooled non-smoking rooms. Choose from standard or ocean view rooms with double or twin beds. All room types have TV, radio, bar fridge with tea and coffee making facilities. Bath and Beach towels are provided. The properties services including communal BBQ area, washing machine and dryers with island restaurant serving a variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner options. The maximum in each room is 3 adults and extra bed’s are chargeable. There is one family room available which is two rooms with an interconnecting door. Luggage storage and DVD’s are also available on request. Serviced daily, except Tuesday’s.
Cocos Castaway "Standard" Villa
Located in the heart of town, these two beach front villa’s offer value for money and comfort in style. Both offering air-conditioning and fan cooled with fly screened windows for your comfort, each villa is equipped with one queen size bed, TV, DVD and CD player, radio/alarm clock, bar fridge with freezer draw, tea and coffee making facilities, microwave, electric fry pan, sandwich maker, washing machine with clothes line and laundry basket, dining table and chairs, two lounge chairs and coffee table, bath and beach towels, esky’s and picnic basket, electronic hotel safe, umbrellas and wireless internet facility. A shared balcony with personal outdoor table and chairs and shared electric BBQ is also available for guests use. Property facilities include a communal under cover gazebo with out door table and seating for ten with free use of gas BBQ, free bike, kayak and snorkel hire. Maximum in villa is 2 persons. Serviced twice weekly with owner’s on site to assist your needs.
Cocos Castaway "Superior" Unit
Offering the ultimate in luxury and style with all the home comforts you could desire at extremely affordable prices. Beach front unit’s with three self contained, air-conditioned and fan cooled rooms with fly screened windows for your comfort. Each unit is equipped with one queen size bed and one single bed, TV, DVD and CD player, radio/alarm clock, full size fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, microwave, electric fry pan, sandwich maker, washing machine with clothes line and laundry basket, dining table and chairs, three lounge chairs and coffee table, bath and beach towels, esky’s and picnic basket, electronic hotel safe, umbrellas and wireless internet facility. Private balcony, over looking the ocean from two of the three units with electric BBQ, sun lounge and outdoor table and chairs. Located next to all required facilities in the town centre. Property facilities include a communal under cover gazebo with out door table and seating for ten with free use of gas BBQ, free bike, kayak and snorkel hire. Maximum in unit is 3 persons. Serviced twice weekly with owner’s on site to assist your needs.
Cocos Castaway "Deluxe Ocean Side"
Soon to open in 2007. Perfect comfort for families, offering private balcony with direct sunset views of the Indian Ocean with sun lounges and out door table and chairs. The Studios are self contained with two separate bedrooms one with queen size bed and the other with two single beds. They are equipped with air-conditioning and fan cooled, with fly screened windows for your comfort. TV, DVD and CD player, radio/alarm clock, full size fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, microwave, stove top, electric fry pan, sandwich maker, washing machine with clothes line and laundry basket, dining table and chairs, two lounge chairs, couch and coffee table, bath and beach towels, esky’s and picnic basket, electronic hotel safe, umbrellas and wireless internet facility. Located next to all required facilities in the town centre. Property facilities include a communal under cover gazebo with out door table and seating for ten with free use of gas BBQ, free bike, kayak and snorkel hire. Maximum in studio is 4 persons. Serviced twice weekly with owner’s on site to assist your needs.
Cocos Seaview
Quaint and affordable rooms with ocean views from shared balcony. Three self contained air-conditioned rooms with 1 double bed, TV, bar fridge, microwave. Communal BBQ area and laundry. Max in room 2 adults.
Cocos Village Bungalows
Centrally located, landscaped garden property, with 10 self contained bungalows with garden views. Fan cooled rooms with full size fridge, microwave, electric fry pan, toaster, TV, tea and coffee making facilities and outdoor seating on verandah. Air-conditioning is available in some bungalows for an additional charge. Guest laundry with coin operated washing machine and dryers are available on site. Communal outdoor entertaining pondoks is also available for guest use, enjoyment and relaxation. Great location for groups.
Cocos Cottages
Architecturally designed and purpose built self contained 2 bedroom cottages with open air, undercover living areas with drop down clear blinds offering views of the gorgeous lagoon. Balinese style open en-suite off the main bedroom for pure luxury. Fan cooled for your comfort and equipped with full size fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, microwave, electric fry pan, washing machine, lounge chairs and coffee table. Out door facilities include an outdoor shower.
Bills Place
Fan cooled budget house with 2 queen size beds and 1 bunk bed with roll away. TV, radio, full size fridge and full cooking facilities, microwave, washing machine, private balcony with BBQ. Lounge area with telephone for incoming calls only. Bath and beach towels and en-suite with bath. Maximum in house is 7. Serviced weekly and or on departure.
The Castle
Lagoon view glimpses, fan cooled budget house with 2 queen size beds and 2 bunk beds. TV in lounge area. Fully equipped kitchen with full size fridge and microwave. Bath and beach towels, bath in en-suite, washing machine, telephone for incoming calls only and private balcony. Maximum in house is 8. Serviced weekly and or on departure.
The Lagoon
Basic house with lagoon views with air-conditioned lounge area. Containing a fully equipped kitchen with full size fridge, oven and microwave. Facilities include TV, radio, washing machine, bath, additional bar fridge, bath and beach towels. Cots and cribs are available free of charge. The main room has one double bed and the other two bed rooms and one bunk bed in each with two roll-a-ways are available at an additional charge. Maximum in house is 8. Serviced on departure with a weely linen change on request.
Cocos Homestead
Gorgeous spacious family home with lagoon views and with centre split for sharing couples wanting privacy. Fan cooled home with 4 bedrooms containing 2 queen size beds and 2 bunk beds, 2 additional roll-a-ways are available on request. TV, video, radio, stereo, DVD and CD player. Fully equipped kitchen on one side and kitchenette on the other. Microwave, electric fry pan, washing machine, lounge and meals area, private balcony with BBQ. Bath and Beach towels and telephone for incoming calls only. Maximum in house is 10. Serviced weekly and or on departure.
My Island Home
Hexagonal shaped 2 bed room non-smoking house with 2 queen size beds. Air-conditioned and fan cooled with TV, radio and DVD player and selection of movies. Fully equipped kitchen with full size fridge, microwave, rice cooker, esky, picnic set and lounge area. Telephone for local and incoming calls only. Soap, shampoo and conditioner with bath and beach towels available. Outdoor entertainment area with BBQ. Views of park with play equipment. Maximum in house is 4. Serviced weekly.
Things to Do
TopDiving
Has attracted professional groups and individuals from all over the world. Cocos offer’s some of the best diving with pristine waters and maximum visibility, often in excess of 25 metres. With more than 20 uncrowded dive sites to visit, it boasts an abundant and diverse marine life including over 100 different coral species, barracuda, grey reef sharks, dolphins, manta-rays, dog tooth and yellow fin tuna, sailfish fish, butterfly fish and the endemic Cocos Angelfish. Pre-booking with Island Explorer Holidays is essential!
Snorkeling
Is as easy as walking into the water! Bring your own gear or purchase what you need from the local dive shop. Reef shoes are important as Stone fish are common in some areas.
Wind and Kite Surfing
Is common from July through to September, as the south east trade winds pick up. With waist deep warm water and continuous breezes, the lagoon on Cocos is the perfect place to play and improve your skills.
Surfing
With only one accessible left hand surf break, it is quietly becoming popular.
Bike / Scooter
Bikes and scooters are available for hire on West Island although some accommodation properties provide bike hire for free. As the islands are flat, both are an easy relaxing way to get around and see the sights. Pre-booking with Island Explorer Holidays is essential!
Swimming
There are only two swimming beaches on West Island one is located about 5km north of the main settlement area and the other is 5km south of the main settlement area. Direction Islands offers great swimming and isolation to fully relax. If you can arrange transport, many other smaller islands are also available to spend time relaxing.
Golf Course
Is available for use although clubs are not supplied on island. The tranquil 9 whole course is located next to the airport over looking the lagoon. For details enquire at the tourist bureau.
Glass Bottom Boat
Tours are available for booking once on island at the local pub. The owner, Geoff will know the best day to go, as weather can be unpredictable at certain times of the year.
Camping
On Direction Island is possible. You will need to bring all your own equipment and organise your transport to and from the island on arrival at Cocos. The local national parks office will need to know of your intention and there is a maximum of 7 days allowed.
Fishing
Is an abundant pass time for the locals. Unfortunately no charter service operates at the moment but that doesn’t mean you can’t bring your own! Ask the locals once you arrive for some friendly advice, perhaps they will even offer to take you out on their boat?
Reef Walking
Reef Shoes are a must! Enjoy this exploratory free pastime!
Shopping
TopDive & Fishing
Cocos Tackle and Dive sells all fishing, diving and snorkelling gear. Open with restricted hours, they also have credit card facilities available for purchases.
Surf Shop
Cocos Surf Shop has a range of surf wear, rash vests and souvenirs. Open Monday to Friday only with restricted opening hours. Credit card facilities are available for purchases.
Duty Free
Cocos Co-Op Duty Free has a small range of various items including perfumes, skin care, hand crafted jewelry, t-shirts, souvenirs and post cards. Open Monday to Friday only with restricted opening hours and have credit card facilities available for purchases.
Supermarket
The Co-Op supermarket sells general convenience store items including liquor and also has a bakery which open 3 times per week. Open Monday to Friday only with restricted opening hours. They have credit card facilities available for purchases.
Island Facilities
TopTele Centre
Open Monday to Friday the Tele centre, has internet access, sells phone cards, hires DVD’s and has full office equipment available for hire.
Hospital
The Cocos Island Medical Clinic is fully equipped working hospital with experienced staff. Open Monday to Friday only with restricted opening hours although a nurse is on call 24 hours a day. Australian Medicare cards can be used as on the mainland.
Post Office
Has an office on West Island and Home Island. Both have restricted opening hours and are not open weekends. An Eftpos machine is available for cash out in the West Island office and they have credit card facilities available for purchases.
Bank
A Commonwealth Bank agency is located in the CO-OP Duty Free shop which is open various times. Please note there is no ATM or banking machine facility available on Cocos Islands.
Food and Beverage
TopTropika
Restaurant is the main eating house for tourists. It is available for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily with restricted opening and closing times. Pre-booking is preferred and the local tourism centre can advise current opening times on your arrival. Picnic baskets are also available and must be pre-ordered the day before.
Cocos Club
Has fortnightly food nights from 5pm onwards. Mix with the locals and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. A chalk board will be placed outside with the nightly menu.
Home Island
Bunga Melati Seri Murni on Home Island, offers the chance once a week, for tourists to visit Home Island for lunch or dinner to experience the customs, culture and a variety of Malay food. Bookings are essential and further information can be found at the tourism centre.
Mutiara Café
Is located at the airport terminal and has restricted opening hours. See the board outside for the daily menu.
