South Island (Pulu Atas — "Upwind Island") is the remote, uninhabited southern anchor of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands atoll. Its ocean-facing side drops steeply into deep, clear Indian Ocean water just metres from shore, while the lagoon side fans out into a lacework of shallow, sandy flats and tiny islets. This dramatic contrast — steep drop-off on one side, gentle branching shallows on the other — creates diverse snorkelling terrain. The island is the highest point in the entire archipelago at 9 m, heavily forested with coconut palms, and encircled by fringing reef where you can drift over coral gardens in pristine, low-traffic waters. Reaching this wild, secluded spot requires a boat trip, but the reward is a truly off-the-beaten-path snorkelling experience.
South Island (Pulu Atas)
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DANGER: Explicit Risks Present
South Island (Pulu Atas) has hazards marked as danger. Entering the water here means you may face serious risks to your personal safety.
- Remote location / no facilities danger
The island is uninhabited and remote — no facilities, no mobile coverage, and boat access only. Emergencies require self-reliance or satellite communication.
The spot
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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High risk: Remote location / no facilities
The island is uninhabited and remote — no facilities, no mobile coverage, and boat access only. Emergencies require self-reliance or satellite communication.
Moderate risk: Steep drop-off (ocean side)
The ocean-facing side of the island drops off steeply just a few metres from the beach, with strong swells and deep water that can surprise inexperienced swimmers.
Moderate risk: Tidal currents in lagoon channels
The lagoon channels between the island and neighbouring cays experience strong tidal flows, especially during outgoing tides.
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Getting in
South Island is uninhabited and accessible by boat from West Island or Home Island. The island sits at the southern edge of the South Keeling Islands atoll, approximately 4.3 km south of Home Island. Charter boats or guided tours can be arranged from the main islands.
No parking available — the island is uninhabited and has no vehicle infrastructure.
No published entry fees; transport costs vary by charter operator.
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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.