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News & Events
Keeping you up to date with the latest news and events on the islands!
Reflections of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands
This book is a tribute to the astonishingly beautiful and delightfully quirky place called the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
P&O Cruise Ship visits Christmas Island...
On the 23rd December 1700 tourists arrived at Flying Fish Cove on the P&O cruise ship ''Pacific Sun.'' Volunteers welcomed the passengers as they disembarked with organised tours and island information.
The tourist enjoyed local markets at the Cove, performances by community groups, the historical exhibition at Tai Jin House and the return migration of the Red Crabs!
Christmas Island gained some very positive feedback as the tourists took in the sights, w
e hope that more cruises include the island on their future itineraries.
Thank you to all of the Volunteers and we hope everyone had a fantastic time on Christmas Island!
TopTimor-Leste's Sports Fishing Competition 2009
The first event of it's kind took place from the 27th - 30th November 2009 and attracted HUGE interest!
Those who registered got to experience one of the world's newest nations and participate in the country's first Sports Fishing Competition!
Itinerary...
After your arrival in Dili, you will be transferred to the stunning tropical
island of
Atauro , located 28 nautical miles North of the capital, where you will be welcomed by the local islanders and event leaders. For 3 days you will be accommodated and fed, with all boat charters (local outriggers and other) included in your package.
For those who took part in the competition, please send in your testimonials with any photos you may have.
To do this, you can either use the Testimonials icon on this website, or contact us direct.
We would love to hear all about your experience!
Red Crab Migration - Females Finale!
The 2009 Red Crab Migration has begun! Stay tuned for our crab updates.
27 October 2009 - Males on the Move!
The rain early this week has been enough to start off the Migration! The Male crabs in the central plateau area have started to move towards to coast.
02 November 2009 - Take a Break!
Due to the decreased rains, the crabs have stopped mid migration. The crabs that did start to migrate will now find shelter in the shade of the forest and wait it out for the rains to start again.
The migration is not over, in fact it hardly started, there are still a large number of crabs that have not even begun to migrate. Once the wet season picks up, the Red Carpet over Christmas Island will begin!
13 November 2009 - FULL SWING!
The rains have come! Crabs are now moving from all over the island toward the coast. The roads are filled with crabs crossing. The crab numbers will keep increasing as more females join the migration - they will eventually outnumber the males as the migration proceeds.
23 November 2009 - The Shoreline!
The crabs have reached the shore and are now dipping into the sea to replenish body moisture and salts. Male crabs will start to dig mating burrows which have an enlarged chamber to accommodate two crabs for the purpose of mating.
Mating will continue until around the end of November. The males will commence their return and the females will occupy the burrows for another two or so weeks while they brood their eggs. The females are now aiming to spawn around 11th December.
30 November 2009 - Females Finale
Male crabs have commenced their return migration. Mating has been completed and the females will now hunker down in the burrows on the shore terraces to brood their eggs.
The eggs are exuded from their body in a mass which is held between the extended broad abdomen and the body by small arm like appendages called pleopods.
It will take about 12-13 days for the eggs to mature. They start out a bright orange colour and gradually turn a dark gray/black as the crab embryo develops inside. A single female can hold up to 100,000 eggs!
The females will begin to emerge from the burrows laden with eggs a few days before spawning, which is expected around the 11th December. They will dip in the sea before retreating to shade and cover and then move down to the water again the following morning to spawn.
PLEASE drive carefully and avoid main migration paths as much as possible. Surveys show that around 425,000 crabs are killed by traffic each year, help Christmas Island keep the crabs safe!
The Red crab migration started on the 29th October 2008 last year.
The dates are subject to the commencement of the wet season and in synchronisation with the cycle of the moon.
As the crabs have missed the first spawning date around the 12th November, they are now aiming to meet the possible 11th December date. As they have a lot of time, they will be moving slowly.
We hope you enjoy this years migration, a fantastic opportunity to appreciate one of the worlds natural wonders!
For more information please visit the Christmas Island Tourism Association website.
Top
Red Crab - Movie
Coming to an IMAX near you, The Christmas Island 3D Red Crab Migration, Marvel at this amazing spectacle in 3D as it appears larger than life in front of your eyes!
Stay tuned for a release date.....
