Cossies Beach on Direction Island is a pristine white-sand beach lapped by crystal-clear turquoise lagoon waters, voted Australia's Best Beach. The beach fronts a remote tropical paradise with shallow coral bommies perfect for beginner snorkelling, while the eastern end of the island hosts the famous Rip — a thrilling natural drift snorkel through a fast-moving channel teeming with vivid reef fish, bright corals, reef sharks, giant wrasse, and colourful parrotfish. Wood-fired BBQs and shaded pondoks (shelters) complete the castaway experience.
Cossies Beach (Direction Island)
IntermediateSKIP
SKIP
Poor conditions. Stay out today.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 1.4 mSwell Period 12 sWind Speed 10 knPrecipitation 14 mmTidal Phase slack
Last evaluated
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
Moderate risk: Strong current in the Rip channel
The Rip is a fast-flowing natural drift snorkel channel with strong currents. Requires good swimming ability, fins, and confidence in deep open water. No lifeguards on duty.
Low risk: Sharp limestone rocks
Sharp limestone rocks along the shoreline and entry points.
Low risk: Limited ferry schedule
Limited ferry service (twice weekly) — risk of being stranded if you miss the return ferry.
Low risk: No facilities or fresh water
No shops, food outlets, or fresh water on the island — bring all supplies.
Wildlife Guide
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Getting in
Snorkel tour
Entry
Direction Island is accessible by public ferry from West Island and Home Island twice per week (Thursday and Saturday). $5 cash per person for the return journey. Alternatively, local tour operators offer half-day lagoon tours that stop at Direction Island.
Parking & facilities
Parking available at the West Island or Home Island ferry terminals.
toiletspicnic_tables
Public ferry $5 AUD per person return (cash only).
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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