Trannies Beach (short for 'Transmission') sits at the northern tip of West Island in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. This calm, palm-fringed beach offers sheltered turquoise waters perfect for snorkelling straight off the sand. Wade through shallow lagoons dotted with coral outcrops or swim 100–120 m out to the reef wall, where you'll encounter trevally, reef sharks, and the famous resident brown marbled grouper. Low tide provides the best conditions, as the exposed reef creates a protected lagoon. It's a peaceful, uncrowded spot that consistently delivers some of the best shore-entry snorkelling in the remote Indian Ocean.
Trannies (West Island)
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Wave Height 0.1 mSwell Period 6.8 sWind Speed 2.0 knPrecipitation 6.5 mmTidal Phase ebb
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Moderate risk: Cyclone season (Nov–Apr)
From November to April, the region experiences monsoon rains, high humidity, and the potential for tropical cyclones. Avoid snorkelling during storms or cyclone warnings.
Low risk: Tide-dependent reef exposure
Best snorkelling conditions occur at low tide when the reef provides shelter. At higher tides, waves can break over the reef, creating bumpier conditions and reduced visibility.
Low risk: Trade wind chop
Trade winds from April to November can create choppy surface conditions in the lagoon, especially in the afternoon. Snorkel early in the day for calmest conditions.
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Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
Trannies Beach is located at the northern end of West Island, about 6 km north of the West Island township. The road is sealed most of the way, with only the last few hundred metres on a hard dirt track.
Parking & facilities
Unsealed parking area near the beach at the end of the access track. Limited but sufficient for the low visitor numbers.
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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