Discover West Island: Art, Club Activities and Excursions

West Island offers several reasons to stay: local art in a restored barge, Cocos Club activities and a nearby snorkelling spot that depends on the tide. It is also home to Cocos (Keeling) Islands Airport and most of the archipelago’s accommodation. If you’re looking for a holiday rental, these different attractions can help you match the location to the experiences that interest you most on your trip.

Local Art at Big Barge Art Gallery

Big Barge Art Gallery on West Island displays original local artworks for sale, including paintings, photographic canvas prints, textiles, carvings and jewellery. The gallery is located in the hull of a restored wooden barge, making both the distinctive setting and the works themselves part of the visit. You can view and buy the artworks. If you’d like to include local art in your trip alongside outdoor activities, the gallery offers a cultural point of interest of its own.

Cocos Club Activities

Visitors can take part in Hash House Harriers activities and golf activities run by Cocos Club. Both are usually organised by volunteers; details are posted on the board outside the club. If you’d like to include either activity in your plans, check the board for the relevant information. This glimpse of community life offers a different experience from visiting the gallery or taking a trip to the water.

Visit Pulu Maraya at the Right Tide

Nearby, Pulu Maraya can be reached on foot from Scout Park at mid to low tide. At the southern tip, you can spot fish beneath the rocky overhangs on a drift-snorkelling trip. Access from Scout Park depends on the tides, so take conditions into account before setting off on foot. This makes it easier to factor this destination, with its particular conditions, into your day’s plans.

Arriving and Finding Accommodation on West Island

Cocos (Keeling) Islands Airport is on West Island. Most of the archipelago’s accommodation is also located here, although its distribution may change. This gives you a concrete location to consider when looking for a holiday rental, without making any claims about individual properties.

The ferry to Home Island and Direction Island departs from Rumah Baru. The jetty is about five kilometres north of the settlement on West Island. Ferry details may change, so check the latest information before travelling.

More Island Experiences in the Cocos Islands Destination

In the Cocos Islands destination, local operators run guided cultural tours on Home Island that include snorkelling, diving, island hopping and fishing. Home Island experiences also include Ossie’s Culture Tour and traditional crafts such as basket weaving and woodwork. Tour and activity offerings can vary, so check current availability.

Direction Island is home to Cossie’s Beach and a lagoon with crystal-clear water. The Rip is a natural drift-snorkelling spot. The surrounding sea is home to reef fish, colourful corals, reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse and parrotfish; sightings may vary. Direction Island also has wood-fired barbecues and shaded pondoks, or shelters, for picnics. Facilities may change; confirm their availability locally. Check local conditions before entering the water, too.

For the wider travel overview: Cocos Islands.