Kitesurfing
The Cocos Keeling Islands are growing a great reputation as an ideal location for kite surfers and windsurfers alike who are looking for small crowds, lots of space and perfect conditions. The waist-deep, warm, flat crystal clear-blue waters offer the perfect conditions for beginners that want to learn kitesurfing in a safe environment. Experienced riders will love the flat and spacious conditions to practice new tricks and to explore the lagoon during long down winders. Make sure to look down once in a while when kiting across the lagoon and you will spot schools of fish, turtles, and black-tip reef sharks.
The best launching spot is from the yacht club which is located at the southern end of West Island. Set up your gear underneath palm trees and meet local kitesurfers to exchange the latest tricks.
During the trade wind season from July throughout October Cocos offers consistent 15 – 20 knots of cross on-shore winds.
You will be living the dream as you carve up the lagoon. Take a break under the palm trees or enjoy a BBQ at one of the public BBQ grills before heading out for your next session. Alternatively, join Zephyr kite tours which offer a great all-inclusive program for kitesurfing beginners to experienced riders.
Snorkelling
Snorkelling while on Cocos is a definite must. It’s great for all ages and offers shallow and protected conditions. The islands offer numerous snorkelling spots that cater to all experience levels. Whether this is your first time snorkelling or you have already snorkelled the waters of the world, there are plenty of options around that will amaze you.
Probably the most famous of snorkelling sites is ‘the Rip’ located at the southern tip of Direction Island. The ferry visits Direction Island on Thursday and Saturday and then it’s just a 10-minute stroll down the white sandy beach. A current runs from the outer reef towards the lagoon and it is this flowing (fast or slow) body of water that beckons to take the adventure snorkeller on an exciting ride.
From Scout Park at the southern end of West Island, enjoy a short reef walk across to Pulu Maraya on low tide to visit another protected, safe and shallow snorkelling site. Across all these sites you can catch a glimpse of clams, sea stars, sea urchins, rock cod, basslets, butterflyfishes, bannerfishes, angelfishes and parrotfishes along with many other species.
Either bring your own snorkelling gear or hire equipment available from the Visitor Centre, where you can also find information on accessing these sites. It’s easy to forget the world above when engaging with the Cocos aquarium but always remember to apply plenty of sun protection and wear a rash shirt if possible. If you want to stand up while you’re snorkelling, look for a sandy patch to stand on, not coral, and exercise caution when touching or handling marine life.
Birdwatching
The Cocos Keeling Islands are the first place in Australia where a chestnut-winged cuckoo has been sighted. Richard Baxter, founder of Birding Tours Australia, spotted the migratory bird in December 2018 on Home Island. The Islands offer the avid birdwatcher the chance to combine sightings of 39 breeding or resident bird species as well as numerous migratory birds with an iconic and remote tropical island experience. Unforgettable!
The Cocos Keeling Islands intercept the southwest extremity of the East Asian – Australian flyway.
Migratory shorebirds are the most travelled migrants, following the sun on their 25,000 km annual round trip from the Arctic Circle through South-East Asia and Australia to New Zealand. The non-breeding cycle, which takes place in the southern hemisphere, occurs from September to April.
Migratory birds can be sighted while they feed and replenish their fat reserves during these months on all the islands of the Cocos Keeling group. Dedicated birding tours work closely with on-island operators and Parks Australia to access the many sighting spots across the atoll. Due to the East Asian – Australian flyway Cocos Islands are known for megabird sightings such as the Drongo Cuckoo. The only endemic bird of the Cocos Keeling Islands is the Buff-banded rail which can be found on Pulu Keeling National Park, an island north of the atoll, which is normally closed to visitors but the Buff-banded rails have recently also been spotted on Horsburgh Island, Direction Island and Home Island
In addition to the Cocos endemic Buff-banded rail, birds such as the Saunders, White and Sooty tern, Red-tailed Tropicbird, Silver bosun, Red-footed, Brown and Masked booby, common sandpiper, White-throated needletail and Rudy turnstone and many more can be spotted in the southern atoll.
Surfing
Whilst Cocos Islands’ lagoon is known as a great kitesurfing destination, the ocean side offers fun waves to surf. There are plenty of local die-hard surfers, although with such a small population the surf break rarely feels crowded.
Surfing on Cocos Islands is a little different to the mainland. Rather than going by the swell, the surf is dependent on the tides. This is mostly because the surf breaks are on top of the reef, and a low tide results in exposed rocks and coral – local surfers will speak from experience when they warn you to not mess with the reef.
If you are travelling to Cocos Islands, make sure to bring your own board as there are no hire facilities on the island – That is probably part of the reason why there are mostly un-crowded waves. Reef booties are advisable unless the aim is to go for the tough, barefoot, island-life look.
This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media