Ethel Beach is one of the island's best-loved beaches, on the east coast about 20 minutes' drive from The Settlement. The Tourism Association notes that it was named in the top 20 of Australia's Best Beaches in 2022, and describes swimming, rock pools and snorkelling, with strong currents beyond the reef. Parks Australia lists it as one of the easiest places to watch the red crab spawning.

Extra Divers describe the dive as a colourful sloping reef packed with corals and surprises, shore to 14 m, suited to relaxed boat or shore diving and rated intermediate. The reef slopes down from the shallows with dense hard corals – plate, branching, massive and encrusting – interspersed with soft corals, anemones and sand patches, before reaching the edge. Reef fish are abundant: butterflyfish, angelfish, damsels, wrasse, parrotfish, surgeonfish and triggerfish. The occasional giant Maori (humphead) wrasse cruises by, turtles are common, and reef sharks patrol the edge.

Its main role is as a wet-season site. When north-west monsoon swell closes the north coast, the east side is often sheltered, and Christmas Island Stories notes Ethel Beach is the best option for snorkellers during swell season. In the dry season the south-east trade winds blow straight onto the beach and it is often too rough.

It suits divers and snorkellers with some experience who can judge the conditions. Shore divers must stay within the reef edge, as the current beyond it can be strong. During the red crab spawning (October–January), the beach fills with crabs at dawn and the water fills with eggs and larvae – a spectacle in itself.

Fly from Perth (about 4 hours, two to three flights a week, some via Cocos Islands) and hire a car – there is no public transport. Drive from The Settlement up to the plateau via Murray Road/Lam Lok Loh, then out along the east-side roads (sealed to the airport and resort area; some beach roads are 4WD only – check the Parks Australia access report). Ethel Beach is about 20 minutes' drive from The Settlement, off the road past the airport, with a car park at the top and a path of about 50 m down to the beach; a boardwalk also links it with Lily Beach.

Carry gear down only on calm days. By boat it is about 25 minutes from Flying Fish Cove round Coconut Point and down the east coast.

On the east coast, which takes the full force of the south-east trade winds from roughly April/May to November, when 15–25 knot winds and wind swell usually make it rough and undiveable by boat. It becomes the fallback coast in the wet season (December–March): when the north-west monsoon swell closes the north coast, the east side is often sheltered and calm. Dive it on light-wind days or during the monsoon.

Beyond the fringing reef currents can be strong and the reef edge is washed by surge whenever there is any easterly swell. Visibility is typically 20–30 m and drops after rain and during red crab spawning (Oct–Jan), when Ethel and Greta Beaches are spawning sites.

Enter at the gap in the reef (or roll off the boat), descend onto the sloping reef and explore it at 8–14 m, staying inside the reef edge if current is running. Return the same way to the exit point and do the safety stop on the reef.

Extra Divers Christmas Island – boat or shore dives, mainly in the wet season when the north coast is swell-affected; CI Wet'n'Dry Adventures – occasional. Popular snorkel spot for independent visitors.