Plan a trip to the remote Australian territory to swim with whale sharks and see the famous crab migration.
It may take a bit of effort to get to, but the island rewards determined travelers.
Christmas Island is ringed by cliffs, broken intermittently by small beaches, coves, and enticing limestone grottos.
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A few hundred feet offshore, the Indian Ocean floor plummets three miles deep to the bottom.
Keep reading for everything it’s crucial that you know to start planning a trip to Christmas Island.
Camping is a possibility within the national park, but apermit is required.
The Swell Lodge
All of these modern bookings are clean and comfortable, and many also feature a full kitchen.
Best Things to Do
Hike in the jungle.
Christmas Island is home to all sorts of wildlife thanks to warm temperatures and plentiful rainfall.
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The island is home to three types of boobies, including the world’s rarest: the Abbotts booby.
Along the way, you’ll pass Tahitian chestnut trees with hulking buttress roots.
Watch the red crab migration.
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As a result, huge tracts of the island appear to come alive with roving, bright-red shell-covered bodies.
Swim with whale sharks.
So, the chances of spotting and swimming with whale sharks are remarkably good in the right season.
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Specials often include seasonal vegetarian options.
The relaxed pub is closed on Mondays but opens at 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Open Monday through Saturday, the cafe offers a full breakfast menu that’s served all day.
Lunch options include wraps, burgers, and more.
This no-frills restaurant overlooking Flying Fish Cove is only open on Saturdays and Sundays for breakfast and lunch.
The dry season, May through September, is ideal for lounging on the beach thanks to sunny skies.
It’s also a great time to dive since fewer storms result in calmer seas.
Both occur during the wet season, which typically runs from late October or November through April.
Virgin Australia offers direct flights twice a week, with a flight time of around four hours.
Moorings can be arranged (for a fee) at Flying Fish Cove.
Consider choosing a four-wheel drive vehicle if you plan to venture off-road.
Because the island is so small, many car rentals are available through small local businesses.
you’re able to find and compare options by travel date on the island’stourism website.
