External Territories · 36 sites
Cocos (Keeling) Islands dive sites
Cocos is a true coral atoll 2,750 km north-west of Perth, with 27 islands around a shallow turquoise lagoon and an outer reef that drops to deep water. Manta rays feed in the channels, green turtles are everywhere, dolphins visit the boats, and the outer walls hold grey reef sharks, tuna and huge schools of fusiliers. Two sites, the Cabbage Patch and the Rip, are among the best drift dives in the Indian Ocean.
- Sites
- 36
- Wrecks
- 5
- Shore
- 6
- Boat
- 29
- Beginner
- 17
- Deepest
- 40 m
Conditions outlook · Late September – October 2026
Written 27 September 2026The south-east trades ease through October and the doldrum season (November–April) brings the flattest water and 28 °C; the lagoon's Rip and the outer walls are diveable most days now. The atoll's dive shop runs small groups; book flights and diving together as seats are limited.
Getting there
Fly from Perth via Christmas Island. One operator on West Island runs boat dives on the outer reef and lagoon; some lagoon sites can be reached by kayak or a long swim.
When to go
November to April, the doldrum season, when winds are lightest and the outer reef is calmest. Diving continues through the trade-wind season in the lee of the atoll.
Water & suit
Summer 28-29 °C · winter 26-27 °C. 3 mm wetsuit or rash vest year-round
Nearest chamber: Fiona Stanley Hospital (Perth) – about 2,700 km away via aeromedical evacuation; there is no recompression chamber on Cocos or Christmas Island
Most recorded marine life in Cocos (Keeling) Islands
- Reef fish 16
- Parrotfish 15
- Turtles 15
- Grey reef sharks 11
- Green turtles 10
- Hard corals 9
- Juvenile blacktip reef sharks 9
- Butterflyfish 7
- Trevally 7
- Angelfish 5
- Stingrays 5
- Surgeonfish 5
- Whitetip reef sharks 5
- Barracuda 4
The most-dived sites in Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Suggested trip
A 3-day dive trip to Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Built from the sites in this region: an easy start, the signature dives, then something deeper or further. Swap days around the weather; the site pages say which winds and swell close each one.
Build your own Cocos (Keeling) Islands plan: pick days, level and must-dive sites →Day 1 · Settle in
Start with Cocos (Keeling) Islands's easier shore dives: check your weighting, get used to the water temperature and dive the sheltered side of the coast.
- The Rip (Direction Island)Drift · Max 8 m · Snorkel/Any
- Cossies BeachShore/Rock Platform · Max 4 m · Snorkel/Any
Day 2 · The signature dives
A charter day on the sites people travel to Cocos (Keeling) Islands for, including Phaeton Wreck.
- Phaeton WreckWreck · Max 6 m · Snorkel/Any
- Ski RunReef · Max 40 m · Deep/Advanced + experience
Day 3 · Deeper or further
For divers with the certification and the weather: the deeper walls, pinnacles or less-visited sites of Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
- Cabbage PatchReef · Max 27 m · Advanced Open Water
- Cologne GardensWall · Max 30 m · Advanced Open Water
Dive centres and charters in Cocos (Keeling) Islands
All External Territories operators →Operators recorded as running sites in this region. Each profile lists the specific sites it goes to.
Cocos Dive
ListedConfirmed Sept 2026
West Island · Cocos (Keeling) Islands · WA
The main dive operation in the Cocos Keeling Islands, servicing atoll and outer reef diving.
cocosdive.com · 0498 080 187
DestinationCharterTraining4 services35 sites
Cocos Blue Charters
Named by sitesConfirmed Sept 2026
West Island · Cocos (Keeling) Islands · External Territory
Charter boat operator (dive/fishing/snorkel charters).
cocosblue.com.au · (08) 9162 6579
10 sites
Cocosday Tours
Named by sitesConfirmed Sept 2026
West Island · Cocos (Keeling) Islands · External Territory
Boat tours, fishing, motorised canoe tours and boat hire; not a scuba dive shop.
cocosislandsboatandfishing.com · (08) 9162 7741
8 sites
Map of Cocos (Keeling) Islands dive sites
Click a pin for the site. 12 sites without published coordinates are not shown.
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24 pinned sites. Pins marked approximate on their pages show the general area only; not for navigation.
All 36 Cocos (Keeling) Islands dive sites
All Cocos (Keeling) Islands sites at a glance
36 sites in Cocos (Keeling) Islands · click a column to sort
| Broccoli Patch | Reef | Max 10 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| Cabbage Patch | Reef | Max 27 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Daily |
| Cable Bommie | Reef | Max 25 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| Cannons | Reef | Max 22 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Daily |
| Catalina JX435 Wreck | Aircraft Wreck | Max 6 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Cologne Gardens | Wall | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Daily |
| Cossies Beach | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 4 m | Snorkel/Any | Shore | Daily |
| Direction Island Unidentified Wreck | Wreck | Max 4 m | Snorkel/Any | Boat (day trip) | Rare |
| Enterprise | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 35 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| Fan Wall | Wall | Max 40 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Garden of Eden | Wall | Max 32 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Home Island Jetty and Foreshore | Jetty/Pier | Max 4 m | Snorkel/Any | Shore | Occasional |
| Horsburgh Island | Island | Max 6 m | Snorkel/Any | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Lynnies Leap | Wall | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Manta Service Station | Reef | Max 12 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| Phaeton Wreck | Wreck | Max 6 m | Snorkel/Any | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| Prison Gardens | Reef | Max 35 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Prison Island | Island | Max 5 m | Snorkel/Any | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| Pulu Keeling Outer Reef | Reef | Depth not published | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Expedition |
| Pulu Maraya | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 5 m | Snorkel/Any | Shore | Weekly |
| Rose Wall | Wall | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| Ski Run | Reef | Max 40 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| SMS Emden wreck site | Wreck | Max 8 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Expedition |
| Spanish Eyes | Wall | Max 40 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (day trip) | Rare |
| The Rip (Direction Island) | Drift | Max 8 m | Snorkel/Any | Shore or Boat | Daily |
| The Towers | Reef | Depth not published | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Trannies Beach | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 4 m | Snorkel/Any | Shore | Weekly |
| Turks Reef | Reef | Depth not published | Snorkel/Any | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Turtle Beach (Home Island) | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 3 m | Snorkel/Any | Shore | Occasional |
| Turtle Rock | Reef | Depth not published | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| Two Caves Wreck | Wreck | Max 25 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| Two Ridges | Reef | Max 25 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| Unicorn's Playground | Reef | Depth not published | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| West Island Lagoon Foreshore | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 3 m | Snorkel/Any | Shore | Occasional |
| Western Boat Passage | Drift | Depth not published | Snorkel/Any | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Winter Wall | Wall | Max 25 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
Cocos (Keeling) Islands diving FAQ
How do I get to the dive sites in Cocos (Keeling) Islands?
Fly from Perth via Christmas Island. One operator on West Island runs boat dives on the outer reef and lagoon; some lagoon sites can be reached by kayak or a long swim.
When is the best time to dive Cocos (Keeling) Islands?
November to April, the doldrum season, when winds are lightest and the outer reef is calmest. Diving continues through the trade-wind season in the lee of the atoll.
How many dive sites are there in Cocos (Keeling) Islands?
36 documented sites, including 5 wrecks and 6 that can be dived independently from the shore. The deepest reaches 40 m.
Are there beginner dive sites in Cocos (Keeling) Islands?
Yes, 17 sites are rated beginner. Look for the green Beginner tag in the list below, and check the weather notes on each page before diving.
How cold is the water in Cocos (Keeling) Islands?
Typically 28-29 °C in summer and 26-27 °C in winter. Most divers wear 3 mm wetsuit or rash vest year-round.
Which dive centres operate in Cocos (Keeling) Islands?
Cocos Dive, Cocos Blue Charters, Cocosday Tours are recorded as running sites in Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Each site page lists the operators known to go there.
Where is the nearest recompression chamber to Cocos (Keeling) Islands?
Fiona Stanley Hospital (Perth) – about 2,700 km away via aeromedical evacuation; there is no recompression chamber on Cocos or Christmas Island. In an emergency call 000, then DAN Asia-Pacific on 1800 088 200.
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