Signal verified · updated 2026-09-03
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Australia's remote coral-atoll territory in the Indian Ocean; 27 islands, ~600 Cocos Malay residents, world-class diving and birdlife.
- Formation
- coral atolls; 27 islands in two atolls around a shallow lagoon
- Population
- 593
- Water
- Indian Ocean
- Access
- difficult
Every required movement
The passage
to Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
Virgin Australia flies Perth (PER)–Cocos (CCK) twice weekly; inter-island ferry links West and Home Islands.
- 01Cocos (Keeling) Islands Airport (CCK), West Island
Nearest recorded air access
Schedule or condition may change · verify - 02Water crossing
Scheduled inter-island ferry West Island–Home Island; private charters for outer islets.
Schedule or condition may change · verify - 03Entry check
Australian visa required; Pulu Keeling National Park access by permit/tour only.
Schedule or condition may change · verify
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What the chart cannot hold
What becomes visible when you follow coral atoll lagoon beyond the familiar map?
Two coral atolls (South Keeling's 26 islets plus North Keeling Island) forming an Australian external territory. Only West Island and Home Island are inhabited, chiefly by Cocos Malays descended from plantation workers.
Sighted by Keeling in 1609; settled by Hare (1826) then Clunies-Ross (1827); annexed by Britain 1857; transferred to Australia 1955; 1984 referendum confirmed integration.
Field ledger
The useful
details.
- Coordinates
- 12.17° S · 96.83° E
- Sovereignty
- Australia · overseas territory
- Nearest mainland
- Perth, Australia (~2935 km southeast); Java (~1000 km northeast)
- Best recorded window
- April–November (drier southeast-trade season).
- Permits / entry
- Australian visa required; Pulu Keeling National Park access by permit/tour only.
- Languages
- English, Cocos Malay
Community intelligence
Notes from
the crossing.
Share firsthand conditions, access changes, respectful observations, or a question for someone who has been.
No traveler has left a public note here yet.
The empty ledger is part of the mystery—and an invitation to be useful.Travel information changes quickly. This field file was last revised 2026-09-03. Confirm all transport and permit details before booking.
Official source