Lily Beach is the sheltered 'keyhole' beach next to Ethel Beach on the east coast, joined to it by a boardwalk. The Tourism Association describes a large sandy-bottomed rock pool that is ideal for children at low tide, set among dramatic cliffs, with gazebos, tables, chairs, barbecues and a fire pit – one of the best-equipped picnic spots on the island. In high seas people come to watch waves crashing into the keyhole.

For snorkellers the rock pool is a safe, shallow place to float over sand and rock and see small reef fish – damsels, wrasse, juvenile butterflyfish and surgeonfish – as well as crabs and molluscs, with no current. It is a good spot for families and non-divers while others dive at Ethel Beach or on the boat.

It is not a scuba site in its own right and appears in this database as a named coastal site on the east coast, adjacent to the Ethel Beach dive. The open reef beyond the rocks is exposed to swell and currents and should be left to the dive boats. Nearby Steep Point and Low Point bracket the beach, and the forested terraces of the Northern Plateau rise behind.

During the red crab migration, the east-coast beaches around Ethel and Lily are among the places to watch crabs descend to the sea and spawn before dawn on the receding high tide in the last quarter of the moon. Roads may be closed at short notice during the migration, so check before driving out. Suits families, beginners and snorkellers wanting a safe, easy swim.

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). Lily Beach has road access with parking and picnic facilities, about 20 minutes' drive from The Settlement past the airport; it is joined to Ethel Beach by a boardwalk.

Swim and snorkel in the rock pool at low tide.

East-facing beach exposed to the south-east trade winds from about April to November, when waves crash dramatically into the keyhole and over the rock pool – visitors come to watch them. The rock pool is only safe to swim at low tide in calm conditions; at high tide or with any swell, waves wash over the rocks. Calmer during the wet season (December–March) when winds swing north-west.

Red crab spawning occurs along this coast from October to January.

Snorkel the rock pool at low tide in calm conditions, staying inside the pool. Do not venture into the open water beyond the rocks.

No dive operator – self-guided swimming and snorkelling in the rock pool. Scuba is not normally done here; nearby Ethel Beach is the dive site.