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Lonely Island
Atlas/oceania-pacific/Deep field file

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.

12.167° S96.833° E
site access marine
Cocos (Keeling) Islands Airport (CCK), West Island
The Lagoon (South Keeling)
Pulu Keeling National Park
Direction Island
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.

  1. 01
    Cocos (Keeling) Islands Airport (CCK), West Island

    Nearest recorded air access

    Schedule or condition may change · verify
  2. 02
    Water crossing

    Scheduled inter-island ferry West Island–Home Island; private charters for outer islets.

    Schedule or condition may change · verify
  3. 03
    Entry 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