Cocos Islands Traveller Information
For more information visit the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Tourism Association
Telephone: (08) 9162 6790
Fax: (08) 9162 6696
Email: info@cocos-tourism.cc
Website: www.cocos-tourism.cc/
- Air Services
- Time Difference
- Customs and Immigration
- Quarantine
- Services
- Recreation
- Dress
- Health
- Information for Visiting Yachts
Air Services
A twice-weekly air service, operated by National Jet Systems (NJS) between Perth, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island, departs Perth International Airport. Passengers are expected to check in two hours prior to departure. See NJS website for latest schedules www.nationaljet.com.au.
A weekly charter service operates between Christmas Island and Singapore. A stopover is required on Christmas Island to meet connections to Cocos (Keeling) Islands. For flight schedules and details contact Austasia Airlines on +61 8 9164 7984
Time Difference
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are one and a half hours behind Western Standard Time (WST) and three and a half hours behind Eastern Standard Time (EST). For example 9:00 a.m. in Sydney is 7:00 am in Perth and 5:30 a.m. on Cocos. Daylight saving is not observed on Cocos so add an extra hour during this time.
Customs and Immigration
Passports and visas are not required when arriving on Cocos from the Australian mainland. However, photographic identification must be produced for clearance through Customs and Immigration (eg. Driver's licence).
Normal Australian Customs and Immigration procedures apply when entry is made from outside Australia and a visa may be required; refer to your travel agent or the Department of Immigration and Citizenship for further details.
Duty free purchases may be made for travel to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Duty free shops are located on Cocos (Keeling) Islands and at the Christmas Island Airport.
Quarantine
Cocos (Keeling) Islands is home to some unique endemic species of wildlife. The Islands are also free of many pests and diseases that are found in other parts of the world. The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) is the border agency charged with the task of protecting the environment and human health from pest or disease incursions. The organisation's objective is to facilitate the movement of passengers, cargo, aircraft and vessels in the way that minimises any inconvenience to the people involved while maintaining the quarantine integrity of the islands. This is achieved through various reporting, screening, inspection and treatment mechanisms. Certain products are prohibited on the islands while other items may require some form of treatment before they may be released.
Any persons wishing to know more about the quarantine requirements on Cocos (Keeling) Islands should contact the Indian Ocean Territories Quarantine Service on Christmas.Island@aqis.gov.au.
Importation of Cats and Dogs
Under the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire local law on Animal Control, the Shire has the right to refuse applications for the importation of cats and dogs. The Shire also has the discretion to approve the importation of a dog if it is an assistance animal. If a person wishes to import an assistance animal, an application can be made in writing to the Shire of Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
Services
Accommodation
A range of accommodation is available from motel rooms to self contained rooms and houses. Details are available from the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Tourism Association.
Restaurants and Bars
West Island - The main restaurant is located at the Cocos Beach Motel, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Malay food is available from Café Mutiara for lunch and Wednesday night dinner. The Cocos Club is open in the evenings for bar and take away drink service. Club 'food nights' are advertised on the blackboard and all visitors are welcome.
Home Island - the Bunga Melati restaurant is open for lunch and Wednesday evening meals.
Contact the Tourism Association to confirm opening hours and for booking details.
Shopping
Shopping is limited on Cocos; basic groceries, clothing, souvenirs, camping, snorkelling and diving gear, fishing equipment and a limited range of duty free goods are available. A DVD hire and book exchange operates at the Telecentre. Shops have irregular opening hours.
Banking
A Commonwealth Savings Bank agency operates on both West and Home Island. Opening hours are limited. Credit card and EFTPOS facilities are available on the Islands. There are no Automatic Telling Machines (ATM). Cheques may be used. Visitors should bring some cash with them. There are no facilities to exchange foreign currency.
Postal Services
Post Offices on both West and Home Islands provide postal and philatelic services. Opening hours are limited.
Postal services to Cocos are twice weekly. Envelopes and Express Post Packages will be sent by air. Other mail, including airmail packages, will be sent via seamail which may take up to 2 months for delivery.
Car Hire
Cars are available for hire for travel on West Island. It is best to book in advance. Contact the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Tourism Association for details. Pick up and delivery can be arranged from the airport. The fuel pump is located near the West Island jetty and is open on Fridays between 1.30 pm and 4.30 pm and payment is by cash or cheque.
Telecommunications
Cocos (Keeling) Islands has access to a range of modern communication services. Four television stations are broadcast from Western Australia via satellite. These are ABC, SBS, WIN and GWN. A local radio station, 6CKI - Voice of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, is staffed by community volunteers and provides some local content. ABC Regional Radio, and FM music stations are also broadcast.
As television and radio stations are broadcast through a satellite service rainfall may cause interference.
The telephone service is part of the Australian network. The area code is +61 (0)8. Public phones are located on both West Island and Home Island. A local digital mobile phone network operates on Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Phones must be registered through the Telecentre to access this service.
Internet, digital camera downloads, and other business applications are available through the Telecentre.
Freight
Freight to Cocos (Keeling) Islands may be sent by sea or air.
Sea freight is from Fremantle, Western Australia every 4 to 6 weeks contact Zentner Shipping Pty Ltd 08 9337 5911 or zentner1@iinet.au.
Freight may also be delivered by air on the regular NJS flights through the Freightshop, phone on 08 9477 6088.
Electricity
Electricity (consumer voltage 240V 50hz) on West Island is generated by an automatic diesel plant at the power station.
Home Island power supply is provided by a 'state of the art' power station completed in 2005. This supplies about 10 per cent of the island's power needs from wind turbines.
Both power stations are currently being managed and maintained by the Water Corporation of WA under the auspices of the Indian Ocean Territories Power Authority.
Water
Water is pumped from several water lenses located beneath West and Home Island. The water supply is managed and maintained by the Water Corporation under contract to the Australian Government.
Newspapers
Papers are generally not available for purchase. However a number of mainland magazines and newspapers are available to read at the community library at the West Island School Campus.
The Shire of Cocos (Keeling) Islands and the Telecentre produce The Atoll, a local newsletter.
Recreation
Recreation is centred on the Islands' natural resources and is predominantly water based. The sandy beaches offer swimming, lazing and snorkelling. Diving is available for the more adventurous. The lagoon offers excellent conditions for windsurfing and sailing.
The lagoon waters offer recreational fishing from the shore and jetty. The surrounding sea provides good fishing, mainly tuna and wahoo for the deep sea fisher. Currently (as at January 2006) no deep sea fishing charters operate on Cocos.
A key part of the social life of the West Island community centres around the Cocos Club and various activities. Visitors to Cocos are welcome to use the Club and join in other activities including tennis, golf and Hash House Harriers. Check the blackboard outside the Cocos Club for details. These activities are usually organised by volunteers.
Many events are held throughout the year to celebrate the varied cultural aspects of Cocos (Keeling) Islands. These events are linked to special days, such as New Year, Australia Day, Act of Self Determination Day and Hari Raya. Visitors are welcome to join in these celebrations and details are available from the Tourism Association.
A ferry operates between Home Island and West Island Monday to Saturday for details refer to the web site of the Cocos Islands Co-Operative Society Ltd. The Islands unique history and culture can be viewed at the museums on both West and Home Island and by walking around these islands. Tours can be arranged. Contact the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Tourism Association for details.
Snorkelling
The best swimming area is across the lagoon at Direction Island. There is a good swimming beach and an area called 'The Rip', which is ideal for snorkelling to view fish and coral. The Rip is a small section of reef with a strong tidal current running through the narrow connection between the lagoon and the ocean. The Rip may present a danger to swimmers, depending on weather and tidal conditions.
The Australian Government Attorney General’s Department has installed a marker rope which delineates the Rip from surrounding waters and acts as an indication of the end of the Rip. This rope is not a safety device and acts as a warning only.
Dress
The relaxed attitude of the islands is reflected in the casual attire worn by residents and visitors. Business dress is smart casual. A hat and sunscreen is recommended when outdoors. Reef shoes or sandshoes should be worn in the water to avoid injury from the coral.
When visiting Home Island people should wear appropriate clothing to respect the Malay community dress standards. Women and men are asked to wear modest outfits which cover the shoulders and upper legs.
Health
Special vaccinations and medications are not required for travel to Cocos (Keeling) Islands. It is important to ensure that supplies of personal medications are brought for the duration of the intended travel. Supplies of special medication may be limited and could take up to a week to obtain.
Health clinics operate on both West Island and Home Island providing health services. People sustaining serious illness or injuries may be sent to Perth for treatment. It is important for people to check their health and travel insurance before travelling to the Islands.
People should drink plenty of water, use sunscreen and wear a hat.
Information for Visiting Yachts
Cocos (Keeling) Islands welcomes visiting yachts and provides anchorages at Direction Island.
Upon arrival all yachts must contact Customs on Channel 20 VHF. Once cleared by the Customs Officer you may leave your vessel and visit the Islands.
Direction Island offers a quiet anchorage, has a small shelter and a toilet facility. Other facilities are available at Home Island and West Island.
Home Island is 1.5nms south of Direction Island. It is advisable to follow the channel markers to Home Island as there are numerous shallow areas and coral outcrops along the route.
West Island is 4.5nms west of the anchorage. It is recommended to catch the ferry from Direction Island (Saturdays only) or from Home Island, rather than to travel across the lagoon in a small tender.
Supplies of fresh fruit, vegetables and other produce are generally limited.
The Cocos Island Marine Centre can do minor repairs to vessels and equipment. It may be contacted through "Cocos Marine Officer" Channel 20 VHF or on 9162 7595 in business hours.
Fuel may be purchased through Shell West Island on Channel 20 VHF or phone 9162 6670.
Please keep Direction Island clean.