How to Plan a Dive Trip to Christmas Island

Planning a dive trip to Christmas Island is a little different from planning a typical dive holiday — and that’s exactly what makes it special. With a remote location, seasonal conditions, and over 60 unique dive sites, a bit of planning will help you get the most out of your visit.

Below is everything you need to know to plan a smooth and memorable dive trip to Christmas Island.

Best Time to Visit for Diving

Since 2020, and the lack of a flight to the north (Jakarta), we are often closed for a maintenance and a break during the peak swell season from February to April, when rough water conditions make diving unsafe. If your goal is calm seas, flat conditions, and clear water visibility, the best time to visit is May to October. This period generally offers stable weather and excellent diving conditions. Our favourite time when asked- August to October

If you’re hoping to experience the red crab migration, plan your trip between October and January. This is one of the island’s most dramatic natural events and a popular time for visitors. Whale sharks are usually first spotted around early mid October, attracted by the billions of larvae released during crab spawning. Keep in mind that visibility is often lower during this period due to increased plankton and weather variability.

As conditions become tougher during the wet season, we may occasionally depart from Ethel Beach instead of Flying Fish Cove Jetty. While the logistics change, the dive sites are equally unique and absolutely worth experiencing.

Flights to Christmas Island

Flights are often the most challenging part of planning a dive trip. Services operate from Perth, usually two to three times per week, and seats can book out quickly. At present, Qantas is the only airline servicing the island, so we strongly recommend checking availability early and booking well ahead.

If you plan to bring your own dive gear, be mindful of baggage weight limits, as excess luggage charges may apply. During the wet season, when weather can be unpredictable, travel insurance is highly recommended.

If you prefer not to travel with full dive equipment, we offer full gear rental in a wide range of sizes, capped at a daily rate, making it easy to travel light.

Getting Around the Island

Although we occasionally provide pick-up services, renting a car is highly recommended. There is no public transport on Christmas Island, and most visitor attractions are only accessible by car.

This is also why our dive schedule typically includes half-day morning boat dives, giving you time to explore the island in the afternoon. During busy periods, rental cars can be limited, so booking in advance is advised. It's not advisable to simply arrive and expect a car to be available for you at the airport. Before arriving, we recommend checking the Christmas Island Tourism website to plan land-based activities and sightseeing.

Planning Your Dive Days

When deciding how many dives to book, it’s important to plan ahead. On the first day, dives are usually focused on ensuring divers are:

● Comfortable with equipment

● Confident with buddy procedures

● Familiar with local conditions

Some advanced dive sites — including Perpendicular Wall (a 45-minute boat ride) and Thundercliff Cave (which requires a torch) — are generally not visited on the first day.

If these sites are on your wish list, we recommend booking more than one day of diving. With over 60 dive sites around the island, we rarely repeat sites unless you specifically request it.

Dive Experience, Safety & Certifications

While many of our dive sites are beginner-friendly, Christmas Island is a volcanic seamount with steep drop-offs, meaning depth can increase quickly. Visibility is often over 30 metres, which can be deceptive for less experienced divers.

Gaining your Advanced Open Water or Deep certification allows you to safely enjoy more of what the island has to offer. We also offer the Deep Specialty, one of our most popular courses, that can be completed from the boat during your dives.

For guests planning multiple dives per day, we recommend diving with Nitrox, a safer breathing gas that reduces nitrogen loading. This course can also be completed while you’re on the island.

As a remote destination, emergency services can be limited, so our priority is always conservative diving and diver safety.

Shore Diving, Snorkelling & Night Dives

In addition to boat diving, we highly recommend:

● Shore dives or snorkelling at Flying Fish Cove, a local favourite and very accessible

● Night dives, which offer a completely different underwater experience

Night dives often reveal more species of crabs and nocturnal marine life, making them a highlight for many divers. Our local guides are always happy to share knowledge about the island’s unique marine ecosystem.

After Your Dives

To make your trip as seamless as possible, all check-outs and payments are completed on your final day, so you don’t need to return to the shop after each dive.

We’ll print out your dive site list so you can complete your logbook and browse our fish identification books for any special sightings. You’re also welcome to rinse and dry your equipment at the shop on your last day, so you don’t have to carry wet gear back to your accommodation.

Dive Brief