Barry's Pool is a celebrated outer-reef site on the southern atoll of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, where crystal-clear waters (25–40 m visibility) reveal a stunning coral reef slope. The centrepiece is a magnificent glassfish bommie where clouds of silver fish compress around the coral head as trevally and other predators streak through to feed — a mesmerising underwater spectacle. The site features scattered bommies, pristine hard and soft corals, and a sandy slope inhabited by garden eels. Sleeping whitetip reef sharks tuck under ledges, while turtles, reef sharks, and even the occasional resident dugong 'Kat' pass through. This is a must-dive spot for anyone visiting Australia's most remote territory.
Barry's Pool
IntermediateMAYBE
MAYBE
Fair. Experienced snorkellers only.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.7 mSwell Period 5.6 sWind Speed 13 knPrecipitation 25 mmTidal Phase slack
Last evaluated
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Moderate risk: Remote location — limited emergency services
As a remote location 2,750 km from Perth, emergency medical services are extremely limited. Evacuation is complex and costly.
Low risk: Ocean swell and surge
Outer reef location with Indian Ocean swell. Can be affected by strong currents and surge on the reef edge, especially during larger swell events.
Low risk: Silt and sediment on sandy slope
The sandy slope is easily stirred up, reducing visibility and disturbing garden eels which retreat into their burrows.
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Getting in
Boat
Entry
Barry's Pool is located on the outer reef edge of the southern atoll, accessed via boat charter from West Island. Cocos Dive is the sole dive operator on the islands, running charters from a shop on West Island. Flights to Cocos (Keeling) Islands depart from Perth twice a week via Christmas Island.
Parking & facilities
Parking available at the West Island boat launch area near the Cocos Dive shop. West Island is the main settlement and accessible by bicycle or scooter around the island. Consider hiring gear locally due to luggage restrictions on the flight from Perth.
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About this data
- Conditions last evaluated
- Spot data last updated
- Data sources
- Open-Meteo (marine & weather conditions), tide predictions via UTide, community contributors (descriptions, hazards, marine life).
- License
- Spot content licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. How's the Spot is open source.
Weather & swell ┬╖ Open-Meteo marine & weather APIs Tides ┬╖ UTide harmonic analysis Sea & safety ┬╖ community reports