Cossie's Beach on Direction Island is a pristine tropical castaway beach voted Australia's best, fringing the crystal-clear lagoon of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The beach is the launch point for the world-famous 'Rip' — an exhilarating drift snorkel through a channel teeming with vivid reef fish, bright corals, reef sharks, giant wrasse, and colourful parrotfish. For calmer snorkelling, shallow coral bommies just off the beach offer perfect beginner-friendly waters. This undeveloped paradise features eco-toilets, shaded picnic shelters (pondoks), and wood-fired BBQs, but no shops, so visitors must come prepared with supplies.
Cossie's Beach (Direction Island)
IntermediateSKIP
SKIP
Poor conditions. Stay out today.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 1.4 mSwell Period 12 sWind Speed 2.5 knPrecipitation 14 mmTidal Phase slack
Last evaluated
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
Moderate risk: Strong current (The Rip)
The Rip is a strong, fast-flowing drift snorkel channel. No lifeguards present. Only for strong swimmers with fins.
Low risk: Sharp limestone rocks
Limestone rocks along the shoreline and entry points require reef shoes for safe walking.
Low risk: Deep open water
Deep open water conditions in the Rip channel require confident swimming ability and snorkel fitness.
Wildlife Guide
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Getting in
Snorkel tour
Entry
Public ferry runs from West Island and Home Island to Direction Island on Thursday and Saturday ($5 cash return per person). Alternatively, local tour operators offer half-day lagoon tours that include Direction Island. No booking required for the public ferry.
Parking & facilities
Parking available at the West Island and Home Island ferry terminals.
toiletspicnic_tables
$5 cash per person return on the public ferry.
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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