Nestled in the Indian Ocean and discovered over 400 years ago on Christmas Day by the British, Christmas Island in Australia was uninhabited for centuries and has largely been a draw for naturalists who are allured by its biodiversity. Although it’s a part of Australian territory, the island is closer to Indonesia.
Christmas Island attractions
Dubbed the “The Galápagos of the Indian Ocean”, the island is accessible from Perth, the capital of Western Australia. Christmas Island attractions include the annual red crab migration between October and December, while the place is also a haven for birdwatchers and divers. With tropical rainforests surrounded by oceans, rugged sea cliffs, wetlands, and waterfalls, the island is a natural wonder in itself.
History of Christmas Island
The island got its moniker from the British since it was discovered on Christmas Day by Captain William Mynors of the British East India Company in 1643. However, it remained uninhabited until the 19th century. While the unique ecosystem and biodiversity beckoned naturalists, the discovery of rich phosphate deposits eventually interested the British. The island became a settlement with British, European, Chinese, Malaysian, and Indonesian influences who made the island into a melting pot of cultures. Christmas Island became a part of Australia in 1958 and now draws tourists to various festivals and events, besides its natural wonders and unique landscape.
Best time to visit Christmas Island
Plan your travels between October and December if you want to see the spectacular red crab migration, one of the popular Christmas Island attractions. The best time to visit Christmas Island is also during the dry season from April to October when it’s perfect to be outdoors, be it hiking in the jungles, exploring caves, sunbathing at beaches, or diving into the oceans.
How to reach Christmas Island
Virgin Atlantic offers twice-weekly flights from Perth to Christmas Island, taking approximately 4 hours. Yacht and sailboat charters with mooring options are also available.
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Things to do on Christmas Island
Witness Red Crab Migration
Starting October the entire landscape turns red as about 60 million red crabs migrate from the forests towards the ocean. A fiery spectacle, it lasts 3 months until January, which is also the wet season. The red crab migration, a breathtaking natural wonder and once-in-a-lifetime spectacle begins with the season’s first rains, typically around October. The crabs leave their homes and migrate to the oceans to mate and spawn, where males lead the way, joined by the females sometimes. While the roads are closed for the spectacle, some of the best places to view the pageant include Flying Fish Cove, Greta Beach, and Ethel Beach.
Go birdwatching
The tropical rainforests around the national park surrounded by oceans beckon bird watchers who come here to look for unique avian species like Abbott’s booby, the frigate bird, the Christmas Island imperial pigeon, and the elusive Christmas Island hawk owl. The island is internationally renowned as a seabird rookery and attracts over 80,000 nesting seabirds annually. There is also a bird-watching festival held in September every year.
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Diving and snorkelling
Surrounded by colourful coral reefs. Christmas Island with over 60 diving sites and unparalleled marine life is a paradise for divers. Swim with whale sharks, turtles, manta rays, sharks and schools of fish around vivid corals. There are several diving courses and tours for beginners, along with snorkelling adventures and cruises.
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Enjoy beach hopping
The island is famous for its pristine beaches with white sands, be it for snorkelling, sunbathing, birdwatching or just watching a gorgeous sunset. Head to Flying Fish Cove, Martin’s Point, Greta Beach, Dolly Beach, Lily Beach, Ethel Beach, and the stunning West White Beach.
Take cultural tours
Christmas Island boasts a rich cultural heritage, with the Chinese among its earliest communities. Their temples, such as the Soon Tien Kong Temple, Ma Chor Nui Nui Temple, and Guanyin Temple, serve as repositories of tradition. Be sure to visit the Tai Jin House and the Chinese Museum for deeper insights. Additionally, explore the Kampong Mosque and take a walk around the area to immerse yourself in Malay heritage.
Adventure activities
Four-wheel drive to The Dales
The Dales is one of the most iconic wetlands of Christmas Island with springs emerging from underground caverns and flowing into natural streams. Look out for waterfalls from gorges and hike the dense rainforests with endemic flora, looking for blue crabs and red crabs, birds like Abbott’s Booby, the red-footed booby and brown booby. While you need a 4WD to reach The Dales, you can also hike along the trail to Hugh’s Dale Waterfall and Anderson Dale, and also lose yourself in Merrial Beach.
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Go hiking
Christmas Island is a paradise for trekkers with several routes for hikes and trails with boardwalks around rainforests, scenic viewpoints, and coastal trails along rugged shores. Some of the walks inside the pristine national park include the Blowholes Trail, the Hugh Dale’s Waterfall hike, the Anderson Dale Walk, the Margaret Knoll Trail, and the Martin Point Trail. Some of the walks along the beaches include trails around Dolly Beach, Merrial Beach, and West White Beach. Don’t miss the Grotto, a hidden cave with fresh, and sea water perfect for swimming.
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Try fishing and kayaking
Head to Flying Fish Cove for some fishing adventures and throw bait into the waters for wahoo, sailfish, dogtooth tuna, or the giant trevally. You can also snorkel here in the crystal clear waters. The season runs from November to April, offering opportunities to spot whale sharks and enjoy swimming with turtles and dolphins.
Where to eat
A blend of the East and West, the cuisine here varies from Chinese and Malay flavours to Australian favourites. You will find cafes and coffee bars for breakfasts, Malay street food eateries, Chinese restaurants, seafood along the beaches, pubs and bars. Popular haunts include Smash Expresso Bar for breakfast, Golden Bosun Tavern and Restaurant, Idah Kitchen, Kookaiz Cafe, Sea View Fish and Chips, Lucky Ho Chinese Restaurant, and Tracks Tavern among other places.
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Shopping
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From charming souvenir shops to boutiques, Christmas Island offers a variety of knick-knacks, local crafts, and gifts. Visit the Post Office for unique stamps or shop duty-free for fishing gear, clothing, jewellery, perfumes, and alcohol. Some of the places to shop include Barracks Shopping Centre, Poon Saan Shopping Centre, CI Visitors Centre, Shoredivers, Extra Divers CI, and Red Crab Surf Shop.
Insider tips for travelling to Christmas Island
Here are some essential tips for travellers visiting Christmas Island:
- Almost two-thirds of Christmas Island is a national park, filled with beaches, tropical rainforests, and rugged cliffs. Be sure to secure a permit if you plan to camp in the park.
- While there are a few lodges available, make sure to book well in advance as the island has limited accommodations.
- To explore the national park’s more remote areas, it’s recommended to rent a 4WD vehicle. Book your rental early to ensure availability.
- Christmas Island Airport is located about 3 km from the island’s only town. Take taxis or shuttle services for easy transfers.
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(Feature image credit: Jacinta.riley, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons )
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The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Christmas Island, an Australian territory in the Indian Ocean, is surrounded by coral reefs and dominated by rainforests. The island features beaches, bays, caves, coves, wetlands, and waterfalls. Formed over 60 million years ago, it is the peak of a submarine mountain made of limestone and volcanic rock, with 80 km of coastline.
Christmas Island is famous for its endemic wildlife, including the iconic red crabs and their annual migration, a fiery spectacle that attracts travelers worldwide. The island is also known for its coral reefs, diving spots, and rare bird species.
Christmas Island has a tropical monsoon climate with two distinct seasons: the wet season from December to May and the dry season from June to November. It is usually warm and humid.
Christmas Island got its name from being discovered on Christmas Day, and the island celebrates the holiday with full gusto. The festivities include bright light installations, carols by candlelight, beach parties with barbecues, live events, community lunches, markets, and visits from Santa. Locals also partake in the Rock Riders Lolly Run, where people dressed as Santa ride bikes and distribute goodies to children.
You need a valid Australian visa to visit Christmas Island.
You can see over 20 land crab species including the red and blue crabs. It is also a seabird rookery, attracting around 80,000 nesting seabirds and you can sight rare birds like the Abbott's Booby and the Christmas Island Frigatebird. The marine life is rich as well and you can swim with whale sharks, dolphins, green turtles and a variety of fish.
Rental cars are the best way to get around Christmas Island, especially 4WD if you travel to the national park. You can also connect with tour operators.
Spending a week in Christmas Island is advisable as there are flights only twice a week from Perth to the island.
The wet season from November to April is the best time to visit Christmas Island to see the red crab migration, as the crabs start their trek after the first spell of rains.
Written By
Lakshmi Sharath
Lakshmi is passionate about everything that is local — from cultural traditions to art and architecture ..Read More
