Is it safe to swim on Christmas Island?

Use common sense when swimming or wading at any beach – they can be subject to large waves and swell, strong rips and undertows. None of the beaches on the island are patrolled by lifesavers. Swimming at beaches is only recommended at Flying Fish Cove under calm sea conditions.



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The sight of the crabs, waterfalls, snorkelling and the unique giant robber crabs makes for great experiences. Christmas Island is not a resort type place, but for tranquility and a few days relaxing leaving all the other things in the world behind, it is a place worth considering.

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From spotting endangered seabirds to snorkelling with turtles and dolphins, there's a lot to delight wildlife lovers in this natural paradise. Throw in beach and jungle walks, world-class diving and year-round festivals, and you'll never be short of things to do.

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Christmas Island's beaches are simply breathtaking, with white sands flanked by rugged cliffs and forest-covered hinterland. Many beaches offer excellent snorkelling, and you can often see turtles and red crabs during the breeding season. Sea conditions can get rough, so always take care when entering the water.

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Seas: 1.0 to 1.5 metres. Swell 1: S/SE 1.5 to 2.0 metres.

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In 1958, the island was excised from Singapore and sovereignty was transferred to Australia. As part of the transfer, Australia paid Singapore £2,800,000 as compensation for lost phosphate revenue. Christmas Island became an Australian territory on 1 October 1958 – a day still celebrated on the island as Territory Day.

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  • Abbott's booby.
  • Brown booby.
  • Christmas Island emerald dove.
  • Christmas Island frigatebird.
  • Christmas Island goshawk.
  • Christmas Island hawk-owl.
  • Christmas Island imperial pigeon.
  • Christmas Island thrush.


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May to November This period is the dry season where visitors won't run the risk of rainfall.

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That means you can score a great deal on popular duty-free items such as fragrances, leather goods, electronics, jewellery, watches and sunglasses. It also means Christmas Island has some of the cheapest alcohol in Australia – perfect for treating yourself to a beer or a gin and tonic as the sun goes down.

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Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in Christmas Island. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

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You might like to carry a wrap or sarong to cover bathing suits, bare arms or revealing clothing. Swimwear is perfectly acceptable on the beach, but public nudity is not allowed anywhere on Christmas Island. You are welcome to visit the island's Chinese temples and take photos if you like.

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Christmas Island became an Australian territory on 1 October 1958 – a day still celebrated on the island as Territory Day.

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Surrounding the island is a narrow tropical reef which plunges steeply to the ocean floor. Within 20 metres of the shoreline, you can find some of the steepest drop-offs in the world reaching a depth of about 500 metres within about 200 metres beyond the edge of the reef.

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The cuisine of Christmas Island can best be described as an eclectic combination of traditional Australian cuisine and Asian cuisine, particularly meals from Malaysia and Indonesia.

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Language. English is the official language on Christmas Island. However, more than half of our residents speak a language other than English at home. While on the island, you might hear people conversing in Mandarin, Malay, Cantonese, Min Nan, Tagalog and a variety of other languages.

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Christmas Island is home to a mix of cultures, creating a diverse, vibrant and friendly community. The island's phosphate mining heritage brought workers here from all over the region. Today Christmas Island has around 2000 residents.

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Carry plenty of drinking water. Local tap water is safe to use. Always follow directions from park rangers – their directions are for your safety.

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