🧭 Cocos (Keeling) Islands: good to know
The general-information half of trip planning: how expensive Cocos (Keeling) Islands feels, what is considered polite, what is not, and the everyday practicalities - alongside our 21 written places.
Two islands, two rhythms - easygoing Australian West Island and the quiet, devout Cocos Malay Home Island.
Cost level: High Costs run at western European levels - planning and a few local tricks keep it sane. Estimate a daily budget →
✓ Considered polite
- Cover shoulders and upper legs on Home Island - the community asks it of every visitor
- Keep any alcohol inside your accommodation on Home Island - it is a dry Muslim settlement
- Wave and greet - with around 600 residents, anonymity is not an option
- Plan your day around the interisland ferry timetable - it does not run on demand
✗ Better avoided
- Wear swimwear beyond the beach on Home Island
- Expect shops or services during Friday prayers on Home Island
- Count on restaurants every night - eateries are few and open on set days
- Rely on buying forgotten gear locally - bring everything you need from the mainland
💡 Worth knowing
- Australian dollars - card facilities are limited, so carry some cash
- Supplies arrive by ship every few weeks - fresh produce sells out the day it lands
- Alcohol is sold on West Island only
- Flights connect from Perth just a couple of times a week
Plugs and voltage
Type I · 230 V travel adapter →
CurrencyAustralian dollar (AUD)
LanguagesEnglish, Cocos Malay
Driving sideleft
Some links on this page are Amazon affiliate links - if you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only list the kind of gear we would pack ourselves.
Customs are living things - regions differ, cities relax, generations shift. Take these notes as a friendly head start, watch what locals do, and when in doubt a smile and a greeting in the local language cover almost everything.