Visitors

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Visiting the Indian Ocean Territories

Welcome to the Indian Ocean Territories, an incredible region where unique adventures, incredible wildlife and gorgeous sunsets await you on Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

The islands have strikingly different features to explore, from the volcanic rock and lush rainforests of Christmas Island, to the white sand, coconut trees and blue lagoons of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Swimming, diving, fishing, snorkelling, hiking, birdwatching, photography and golf will keep visitors coming back again and again to experience these extraordinary Australian territories.

There are currently two flights a week to and from Christmas Island and Cocos Keeling Islands departing from Perth, Western Australia. These flights are operated by Virgin Australia.

The IOT Tourism Associations can provide arrange bookings for car hire, accommodation and tours. There are a range of accommodation options to choose from on the islands. Click on the logos below to begin planning your IOT adventure:

Videos stories on Indian Ocean Territories

The Indian Ocean Territories Regional Development Organisation, supported by the Australian Government, has funded the broadcasting of these video stories on Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands on Channel 9 Australia’s Destination WA TV programme from November, 2020 to promote tourism in Australia’s Indian Ocean Territories.

destination_wa_logo

Christmas Island

Ep 1: Free Diving

Ep 2: Culture/People/Language

Ep 3: National Parks #1

Ep 4: Swell Lodge

Ep 5: Marching Crabs

Ep 6: National Parks #2

Ep 7: Land Based Tours

Ep 8: Fishing

Ep 9: Sports

Ep 10: Food

Ep 11: Diving

Ep 12: History

Cocos Keeling Islands

Ep 1: Malay Culture

Ep 2: Direction Island

Ep 3: Home Island

Ep 4: Glass Bottom Boat Tour

Ep 5: Kite Surfing

Ep 6: History/War History

Ep 7: Fly Fishing

Ep 8: Big Barge Art Centre

Ep 9: Rasa Food

Ep 10: Suba Diving

Ep 11: Underwater Sea Scooter Tour

Ep 12: Motorised Canoe Safari

cocoskeelingislands

Our stunningly beautiful paradise islands are the

Our stunningly beautiful paradise islands are the place for relaxation, rest and to simply unwind.🏝 (📸: @max_maujean) #tranquility #palmtrees #blueskies #crystalclearwaters #magical #paradise #sandybeaches

Beautiful sunset stroll on the beach - how romanti

Beautiful sunset stroll on the beach - how romantic! 😍😍
Who needs a romantic getaway?! 🙋🏽✈️☀️🏝😎
( 📸 : @zephyrtours )
#cocoskeelingislands #sunset #reflection #couple #romantic #holiday #destination #destinationwa #explore #tropical #getaway #paradise #escapewinter #exploreaustralia #indianoceanterritories

Pulu Maria is a fantastic snorkel! You wouldn't be

Pulu Maria is a fantastic snorkel! You wouldn't believe how many fish live there, and you might even see a little Black Tip Reef Shark or Turtle! 🦈🐢🐠🐡🏝😎
(📸 : @_pam_newman_ )
#cocoskeelingislands #paradise #snorkel #reef #fish #explore #tropicalfish #australia #explorewa #holiday #destinationwa #indianoceanterritories #indianoceanislands

You'll see plenty of these cute red hermit crabs h

You'll see plenty of these cute red hermit crabs here on Cocos (Keeling) Island! Did you know, that hermit crabs are actually very social, and they have an amazing sense of smell! If you drop any food on the ground, you'll soon be joined by plenty of these hermit crabs! 🐚 🏝
#cocoskeelingislands #hermitcrab #nature #travel #crabs #indianoceanterritories #explore #tropical

The Cocos Keeling Islands are made up of 27 island

The Cocos Keeling Islands are made up of 27 islands... each of them unique and beautiful... there's white sandy bays contrasted with tropical coral reef - the home to many colourful fish species and our friendly turtles! Are you going to join us for some island hopping and exploring?! 😎🏝🐢🐠
📸 awesome shot by @stevefraserphotography
#cocoskeelingislands #tropical #exploreaustralia #indianoceanislands #indianoceanterritories #holiday #paradise #travel #destinationwa

BYO hammock for the ultimate relaxation experience

BYO hammock for the ultimate relaxation experience under the coconut trees! 🏝😎☀️👌🏽
(📸: @majulii )
#cocoskeelingislands #holiday #paradise #tropical #destinatiowa #australia #indianoceanterritories #exploreaustralia #travel

Enjoy a Half Day Fishing Tour inside our inner lag

Enjoy a Half Day Fishing Tour inside our inner lagoon or explore the Eastern Atoll of our islands with our local expertise on his boat - 'Hermit'. ☀️🏝🎣 You will be surprised on what you will see, find and learn from these tours! 👌🏽#fishing #exploring #adventure #lagoon #cocosatoll #pristinebluewaters #indianocean #paradise #paradiseisland #islands #islandlife #anotherdayinwa #dayout #discover #holiday #holidaydestination #travel #seeaustralia #visitaustralia #westernaustralia
(📸: @cocos_noworriesatoll )

Our little island has plenty of water sports to of

Our little island has plenty of water sports to offer! The trade wind season (May to October) is when the kite surfers join us - and you can see why!👌🏽💦🏝🐢
( 📸 @zephyrtours )
#cocoskeelingislands #indianoceanterritories #holiday #paradise #kitesurf #watersport #travel #exploreaustralia #australia #sunset

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christmasisland

🦀 Spawning morning action from #christmasisland

🦀 Spawning morning action from #christmasisland 🦀 Over the last few mornings, just before sunrise, tens of millions of female red crabs have released billions of eggs (possibly even trillions!) into the #indianocean, in the next stage of the #redcrabmigration. The female crabs are now making their way back to the jungle and the baby crab waiting game begins. The larvae will drift out to sea and all being well the baby crabs will return to land in 3-4 weeks 🤞🏻 We'll keep you posted with baby crab updates but in the meantime keep an eye on our page for more spawning action. Thanks @hk.westoz for this terrific footage, we love watching our ladies dance! @australia @westernaustralia @parksaustralia @abcperth @natgeo

🦀🦀🦀 MIGRATION UPDATE 🦀🦀🦀 🦀

🦀🦀🦀 MIGRATION UPDATE 🦀🦀🦀 🦀 After a massive downward migration the crabs have mated and many of the males have made their return migration to the jungle. The females are now brooding their eggs ahead of the predicted spawning dates of 28-30 November. If you are on #christmasisland next week you’re in for an absolute treat, when millions of female red crabs shimmy and shake and release around 100,000 eggs (each!) into the ocean. ℹ️ Pop into the Visitor Centre when you arrive for more spawning info. @australia @parksaustralia #seeaustralia #redcrabmigration 📸 @saga_the_sony 🙏

Today marks the 80th anniversary of Australia's wo

Today marks the 80th anniversary of Australia's worst maritime disaster, the sinking of Australian warship HMAS Sydney off the coast of Western Australia. 645 Australian servicemen lost their lives after an intense battle with German merchant raider HSK Kormoran on 19th November 1941. 11 weeks later the body of an "Unknown Sailor" was found in a Carley float at Rocky Point on #christmasisland , with the identity of the sailor becoming one of Australia's biggest maritime mysteries. Today, exactly 80 years after the sinking of the Sydney, the mystery has been solved, with the "Unknown Sailor" being identified as 21-year-old Able Seaman Thomas Welsby Clark. AB Clark is believed to have been the only sailor to escape the sinking ship, only to later perish at sea. The then “Unknown Sailor” was buried with military honours on Christmas Island but was exhumed in 2006 and reinterred at the war cemetery in Geraldton, Western Australia. The gravestone, which carried the inscription “A SERVICEMAN OF THE 1939 - 1945 WAR HMAS SYDNEY”, will now be replaced with a headstone for Able Seaman Thomas Welsby Clark - 1920-1941. Able Seaman Clark, thank you for your service and may you rest in peace. 📸 Australian War Memorial

🦀🚘 It’s crabmobile time! 🚘🦀 @swelll

🦀🚘 It’s crabmobile time! 🚘🦀 @swelllodge is situated in the heart of the Christmas Island National Park and to enable guests to access their luxury eco-lodges during the #redcrabmigration, lodge owner @chrisbrayphotography designed and engineered these crab-safe attachments for his vehicles. The attachments gently deflect the crabs and the vehicles can travel the jungle trails without endangering a single crab. Quite remarkable! 🙌🏼 @australia @westernaustralia @parksaustralia #seeaustralia @discoverearth @earthofficial @earthpix

A huge number of #redcrabs have now reached the co

A huge number of #redcrabs have now reached the coastline here on #christmasisland, ready for the next stage of what is one of the animal kingdom’s greatest migrations… such an exciting time! 🦀🦀🦀 @australia @westernaustralia @so.perth @perthisok @abcperth @beautifuldestinations @earthfocus @wonderful_places #seeaustralia #discoverearth #westernaustralia #holidayherethisyear 📸 @scottslawinski 🙌🏼

🦀 It’s lockdown of a different kind in #chris

🦀 It’s lockdown of a different kind in #christmasisland’s Drumsite today, with residents unable to leave their neighbourhood due to a massive number of crabs crossing the roads. Only on CI! 🦀 @australia @abcnews_au @westernaustralia @bbcearth #seeaustralia #redcrabmigration 📸 Jacqueline Collis

The #redcrabmigration here on Christmas Island is

The #redcrabmigration here on Christmas Island is one of the most spectacular #animalmigrations on the planet. Just ask @teeemkkk who has had a front row seat this week! ☝🏼😉🦀 @australia @westernaustralia @perth_life @perthisok #seeaustralia #holidayherethisyear

🦀🦀 Roads are closed and the crab bridge is h

🦀🦀 Roads are closed and the crab bridge is heaving. Our #crabs are well and truly on the march! #seeaustralia #australia #redcrabmigration #animalmigrations @australia @westernaustralia @parksaustralia @abcperth 📸 @kazzfoto

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Photo of Cocos Island from the ocean with sunset behind. Photo: Kirsty Faulkner.

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Photo of a red crab.

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