What are the Cocos Keeling Islands?

Often referred to by their full name, the Cocos Keeling Islands are the remnants of an extinct volcano. There are 27 islands in the group of which only 2 have settlements. The main island for travellers is West Island. Here you will find most of the accommodation, eateries, shops and the airport.

How do you get to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands?

Just don’t do both.” Unless you have a yacht and a lot of time, or your own plane, the only way to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands is a twice-weekly Virgin flight out of Perth in Western Australia. Only about 4,000 tourists made it here in all of last year.

Who are Cocos Malay?

Most are employed by the government, but 41 are like Pete, running private businesses. Home Island, across the lagoon, is home to 450, the vast majority who call themselves Cocos Malay. They are the Sunni descendants of indentured labourers brought in from Indonesia and Malaysia by a horror called Alexander Hare.

Are there parrotfish in the Coco Islands?

The Cocos are relatively new — “there wouldn’t have been much here when Jesus was walking,” I’m told — but parrotfish have been busy since, pooing enough coral sand for 27 islands. They are home to an army of land crabs, an endangered population of lugubrious geckos and 593 idiosyncratic people.