CHRISTMAS & COCOS ISLANDS

 Lily Beach is a picturesque keyhole beach, flanked by sheer cliffs on  either side, creating a dramatic coastal panorama. This beach paradise  is adorned with gazebos, equipped with tables and chairs, and features  BBQ facilities catering to both halal and non-halal preferences, as well  as a built in fire pit, creates an ideal setting for an oceanview  picnic. Beneath the  shade of the trees, Lily Beach reveals a large  sandy-bottomed rock pool, especially inviting for young children during  low tide when the waters are calm, although strong caution is warranted  as powerful waves can make an unexpected entrance. During high seas,  Lily Beach transforms into a captivating spectacle, providing a  front-row seat to the exhilarating display of waves crashing against the  cliffs. For nature enthusiasts, a scenic boardwalk tracing the cliff  edge between Lily Beach and Ethel Beach unveils  Brown Boobys and Red  Footed Boobys nesting on the cliffs, while intermittent blow-holes add a  touch of intrigue to your coastal stroll. Lily Beach is a harmonious  blend of natural wonders and inviting amenities, promising a memorable  coastal experience. 

 Fringed with dense tropical foliage, Ethel Beach is the quintessential  Robison Crusoe beach experience. Situated on the eastern side of  Christmas Island, down a 50m path, this stunning little beach is a  favorite for locals and visitors. Beneath the overhanging pandanus that  line Ethel Beach, this beautiful stretch of the island unveils its  geological secrets, with occasional fossils and traces of blue coral  rubble narrating its volcanic past. Dive into the inviting waters for a  refreshing swim or explore the rock pools at low tide. Ethel offers  stunning snorkelling with coral reef and vibrant marinelife extending  from the shore. Strong currents can occur beyond the reef so caution is  advised when exploring the waters here. Ethel Beach also featured in the  Top 20 of the 2022 Australia’s Best Beaches annual list. 

A brief 300 meter stroll from the car park, followed by a descent down a  steep staircase perched atop a seaside cliff, and you'll find yourself  at Greta Beach. At the stairway's entrance, signs ask you to join the  ongoing effort to preserve Greta's pristine beauty by taking a bag and  participating in the beach clean-up. Unfortunately, Greta serves as a  collection point for plastic flotsam and jetsam carried ashore by ocean  currents, making this communal effort crucial. Throughout the year,  turtles find refuge on this stretch, with the beach hosting a constant  nesting cycle. Additionally, during the annual migration, a bustling  congregation of red crabs makes Greta Beach their spawning ground. By  lending a hand in removing plastic during your visit, you contribute to  safeguarding the nesting turtles and our island ecosystem. Greta Beach  unveils a unique charm, featuring a dreamy ocean pool during the right  tides and dramatic cliff faces that transport you to a world of scenic  wonder. 

 Nestled on the island's north coast, West White Beach captivates with  its white sands, surrounded by towering forests and met by a spectacular   reef, accessible just off the shore. The journey to this coastal  treasure involves a bit of a challenging treck through the rainforest,  with a steep cliff descent aided by a rope, requiring sturdy walking  shoes and ample water. Visible from Settlement, this white coral beach  is an ideal day trip destination, with a 1.5 km trail meandering through  a descent amongst tall plateau and  rainforest. Should the uphill  return seem daunting, a boat transfer can be arranged with the island's  dive charter operators. The reward for the effort is undeniable; West  White Beach offers splendid views and invites visitors to linger and  enjoy all the secluded magic of this pristine coastal beauty. 

Merrial Beach, Christmas Island's smallest yet most enchanting coastal  gem, lies nestled at the Dales on the island's picturesque west coast.  Accessible only at low tide, this tiny haven boasts mesmerizing white  sands embraced by rugged rocky overhangs, rendering it a favorite canvas  for photographers. The journey to Merrial Beach unveils a rustic track,  demanding a bit of climbing and maneuvering through dense vegetation.  However, the effort invested in navigating this rough terrain is richly  rewarded by the sight of a pristine, white-sand beach cocooned between  grotto-like rocky overhangs, making every step of the 1km track well  worth the journey.   

Though not a beach, The Grotto is an incredible swimming spot.  Approximately ten minutes drive from Settlement, located just before the  golf course and a short 30m walk, this hidden gem will take your breath  away. A mini cave with mix of sea and fresh water pool, The Grotto  offers a refreshing dip after your island adventures or enjoy a romantic  date night by adding candles to beautifully light this dreamy cave. The  wave motion through narrow openings provides a powerful ocean symphony  and the glistening turquoise blue of the crystal clear water is magical.   This sandy-floored hidden pool, drenched with streaks of sunlight  flowing in from the entrance of the cave, adds another layer of  enchantment to your island adventures.  

Nestled a thirty-minute scenic drive from Setttlement and a 2km hike  through the jungle, Dolly Beach stands as a serene haven teeming with  wildlife and natural wonders. Accessible through a 1.8km, mostly  boardwalked jungle path, this secluded paradise, adorned with coconut  palms and a vibrant coral reef, offers the perfect escape, that you’ll  often have all to yourself. Witnessing marine turtles nesting along its  shores, marked by tracks of adults and hatchlings, adds to the  enchantment, along with a welcome from the friendly giant coconut crabs  here. This spectacular beach, with freshwater stream, and dreamy palm  lined shores make Dolly Beach an inviting camping spot. Please ensure  you apply for a camping permit with Christmas Island National Parks if  you do want to camp here. Regarded among the island's most secluded  gems, this deserted haven, set against a backdrop of overhanging coconut  palms and shallow rock pools, invites locals and visitors to unwind  amidst its pristine beauty, offering an immersive natural experience,  where you feel like castaways in paradise.  

 Nestled in the heart of Christmas Island's settlement area, Flying Fish  Cove effortlessly blends laid-back charm with natural beauty. The  phosphate port is located to the north of this beach, but head south,  and you'll discover a serene haven where lush greenery meets white sands  and pristine coral adorned shores. This beach is ideal for gatherings  with gazebos, BBQ facilities (halal and non halal), showers, toilets,  lockers and a sheltered swimming area right in front. The commercial  jetty is accessible to the public unless stated otherwise, and provides  an accessible platform to enjoy the aquatic world beneath the surface.  Explore underwater wonders, snorkelling the endless reef, catch a wave  if the swell's up, and top it all off with one of the island's stunning  sunsets. Flying Fish Cove was ranked Australia’s 9th best beach for 2023  in Australia’s Best Beaches Annual Competition. Flying Fish Cove isn't  just a beach; it's the epitome of Christmas Island's easygoing allure. . 

Venture to the southernmost tip of Flying Fish Cove, beyond the boat  ramp, and discover the hidden gem known as Pirate Cove. This secluded  stretch of shoreline boasts mesmerizing rock formations submerged in the  shallows of the reef. Equip yourself with reef shoes, and during low  tide, delve into the enchanting rock pools that unveil a world of marine  wonders. As the tide rises, this sheltered bay transforms into an  idyllic haven, inviting you to indulge in excellent snorkeling and  leisurely swims. Take breaks between aquatic adventures to unwind on the  beach in the shade. Let paradise sweep you away as you relax into  island time in Pirate Cove.   

An easy walk through internationally significant wetlands to a peaceful jungle waterfall.

 The Dales area is a Christmas Island icon. One of the only places on the island with flowing water all year round, these rain-forested wetlands are home to mighty Tahitian chestnut trees, blue crabs and an array of rare and endemic species.

The Hughs Dale track is a raised boardwalk that leads to a permanent waterfall in the rainforest. There are seats and viewing areas along the trail and signs providing more information about the area’s plants and animals.

The waterfall is an important cultural site for local Chinese Buddhists, who regularly conduct ceremonies here.

Vehicle needed - 4WD essential

Type of walk - One-way track

Walk grade - Easy

Walking distance - 0.75 km

Walking time (approx.) - 30 minutes

Strictly for the adventurous, this rainforest walk leads to a small gorge and freshwater stream. 

The Anderson Dale trail starts about halfway along the boardwalk to Hughs Dale Waterfall. After passing through the pristine rainforest, you’ll arrive at a freshwater stream that has carved a small gorge through the limestone cliffs on its way to the ocean.

Further down the gorge are caves, a small cove and enormous tangles of tree roots.

The gorge is rough, slippery, and sometimes subject to extensive, unpredictable waves. Be very careful if you choose to venture into this area. Don’t swim; turn your back to the ocean or climb onto the shoreline rock platforms.

Vehicle needed - 4WD

Type of walk - One-way track

Walk grade - Moderate to difficult

Walking distance - 1.5 km

Walking time (approx. 1 hour)