Christmas Island © Christmas Island Tourism Commission
Guide to Christmas Island
Experience the wonder of remote Christmas Island. There’s nothing like it anywhere else on the planet.
Christmas Island is not your typical tropical island paradise. Nicknamed the "Galapagos of the Indian Ocean", the island is famous for its red crabs, sea birds, whale sharks and spectacular coral reefs. Closer to Asia than mainland Australia, it's home to a captivating mix of cultures and some of the world's most spectacular natural wonders. Reach Christmas Island on a flight from Perth to discover a truly untouched natural paradise.
Christmas Island is around a four-hour direct flight from Perth on Australia’s west coast. Some scheduled flights from Perth first fly to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, a 95-minute flight from Christmas Island.
- Christmas Island Airport is 5km (3mi) from the only town on the island; domestic commercial flights and private chartered flights only
- Hire cars, shuttle services and taxis are available at the airport.
- Your accommodation provider may offer airport transfers.
Christmas Island has distinct wet and dry seasons, with warm daytime temperatures all year round. The wet season starts in October and continues to April, while the dry season runs from May to September. It may still rain during the dry season, so always pack a rain jacket. Birdwatchers will have plenty to see year round, while the dry season is ideal for bushwalking.
- High season: Late spring and summer (November to February)
- Low season: Late autumn and winter (May to August)
- Don’t miss: The annual migration of red crabs to the sea to spawn in mid-November and mid-December. Divers and snorkellers can also encounter gentle whale sharks feeding off red crab larvae during the spawn.
