Direction Island

Direction Island, an uninhabited coral islet in the Cocos (Keeling) atoll far out in the Indian Ocean, is the crown jewel of this remote Australian territory and a genuine castaway paradise. A perfect crescent of powder-soft white sand curves around a dazzling turquoise lagoon of impossibly clear water, fringed by swaying coconut palms and utterly free of any development. Its greatest treasure lies just offshore at 'the Rip', a channel where a gentle current carries snorkellers on a spectacular drift over vibrant coral gardens teeming with tropical fish, turtles, reef sharks and rays, regularly ranked among the world's finest snorkelling experiences. Reached by a short boat trip and blessed with blissful solitude, Direction Island is tropical perfection.

What you actually see

• The turquoise lagoon - the dazzling clear crescent lagoon.
• The Rip - the world-class drift snorkel over coral gardens.
• The white sand - the powder-soft palm-fringed beach.
• The marine life - the turtles, reef sharks, rays and fish.

When to go

April to October, the drier and calmer season, offers the most settled weather and best conditions for the boat trip and snorkelling, though the tropical climate is warm year-round. Calm days are essential for the finest visibility on the Rip drift snorkel.

Honest expectations

Direction Island is uninhabited with no facilities, reached by boat from Home Island, so visitors must bring everything they need, and the remote Cocos are reached only by limited flights. As a picture-perfect castaway islet of white sand and turquoise lagoon with one of the world's finest snorkelling drifts, though, Direction Island is genuine tropical perfection.

Nearby

Home Island and West Island of the Cocos atoll lie across the lagoon.