West Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands

West Island is part of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, an Australian external territory in the eastern Indian Ocean. The island functions as one of the territory’s populated centres and contains administrative buildings and transport links.

The island contains the airstrip that provides the primary regular air connection to the territory, as well as government services and accommodation for residents and visitors. It contrasts with nearby Home Island, which is the cultural centre for the Cocos Malay community.

West Island’s built environment is small and focused on practical services rather than tourist infrastructure; visitors transit through the island when accessing the territory or using regional flights and boat connections.

Geographically the island lies in the eastern Indian Ocean well away from continental landmasses and is part of a small coral atoll group administered from Australia.

Administration and transport: West Island hosts the main administrative facilities and the island's runway, and serves as the administrative and service centre for the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

How to Get to West Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands #

West Island is the main settlement of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and is served by flights to Cocos (Keeling) Islands Airport (CCK) on West Island. Regular scheduled flights operate from mainland Australia (Perth); from the airport it’s a short taxi/drive into the settlement and along the island’s local roads.

Tips for Visiting West Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands #

If you arrive by air you will land on West Island-the island hosts the airport and most visitor services, so plan West Island as your operational base for exploring the Cocos (Keeling) group.
Use West Island's ferry and boat connections to reach other islands: West Island provides the main public and commercial links, so book inter-island transfers and any accommodation there in advance because options are limited.
Expect basic but reliable services on West Island (shops, rental arrangements and information) and plan day trips from there rather than assuming facilities are available on outer islands.

Best Time to Visit West Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands #

Visit during the drier months (May-October) for more reliable weather and outdoor activities.

Dry season

May-Oct · 24-30°C

Generally drier, slightly cooler winds and good conditions for snorkeling and outdoor activities-most visitors prefer these months.

Wet season

Nov-Apr · 25-31°C

Warmer and more humid with frequent showers and a higher chance of tropical storms; travel and boat schedules can be affected.

Weather & Climate near West Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands #

Climate

Tropical climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 24°C to 30°C. Heavy rainfall (2011 mm/year), wettest in April.

Best Time to Visit

SeptemberOctoberNovember

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

30°

Warmest Month

24°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is hot, feeling like 30°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (171 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

30°

Feels Like Hot

27°C

Temperature

25° – 29°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

171 mm

Rainfall

5.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

3.0

UV Index

Extreme

12.6h daylight

February

February is hot, feeling like 30°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (177 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

30°

Feels Like Hot

27°C

Temperature

25° – 30°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

177 mm

Rainfall

4.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

3.0

UV Index

Extreme

12.4h daylight

March

March is the hottest month, feeling like 30°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (229 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

31°

Feels Like Hot

27°C

Temperature

25° – 30°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

229 mm

Rainfall

4.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.7

UV Index

Extreme

12.1h daylight

April

April is the hottest month, feeling like 30°C with oppressive humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (250 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

31°

Feels Like Hot

27°C

Temperature

25° – 30°

81%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

250 mm

Rainfall

5.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.2

UV Index

Extreme

11.7h daylight

May

May is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (214 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

27°

Feels Like Warm

27°C

Temperature

25° – 29°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

214 mm

Rainfall

5.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.8

UV Index

Very High

11.4h daylight

June

June is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Heavy rain (222 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

24° – 28°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

222 mm

Rainfall

4.9 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.6

UV Index

Very High

11.3h daylight

July

July is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Heavy rain (222 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

24° – 28°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

222 mm

Rainfall

5.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.7

UV Index

Very High

11.3h daylight

August

August is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Significant rainfall (129 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

74 Very Good

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

24° – 28°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

129 mm

Rainfall

5.7 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.0

UV Index

Extreme

11.6h daylight

September

September is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 24°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

76 Very Good

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

24° – 28°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

93 mm

Rainfall

6.0 m/s

Wind

Breezy

2.4

UV Index

Extreme

11.9h daylight

October

October is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 24°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

76 Very Good

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

24° – 28°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

76 mm

Rainfall

6.1 m/s

Wind

Breezy

2.6

UV Index

Extreme

12.3h daylight

November

November is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (119 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

24° – 29°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

119 mm

Rainfall

5.9 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.7

UV Index

Extreme

12.6h daylight

December

December is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (109 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

27°

Feels Like Warm

27°C

Temperature

24° – 29°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

109 mm

Rainfall

5.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.9

UV Index

Extreme

12.7h daylight

Nearby Attractions to West Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands

South Keeling Islands

Indian Ocean atoll group with extensive coral lagoons

Islands 5.9 km

Home Island

Residential island in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Island 10.6 km

Horsburgh Island

Uninhabited island in the Indian Ocean

Island 11.8 km

Direction Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Small Cocos Keeling islet adjacent to coral reefs

Island 12.1 km

North Keeling

Uninhabited atoll and marine reserve in Indian Ocean

Island 39.1 km

Enggano Island

Remote Sumatran island with unique endemic wildlife

Island 962 km

Christmas Island National Park

Australian national park protecting unique wildlife and red crabs

Reservation 980 km

South Pagai

Indonesian Mentawai island noted for world-class surf breaks

Island 1091 km