Western Boat Passage is a premier snorkel destination on the outer reef of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands' southern atoll, accessed only by guided boat tour. This deep-water passage between coral gardens channels nutrient-rich currents that attract a dazzling array of marine life, including hawksbill and green turtles, manta rays, reef sharks, and over 500 species of tropical fish. The crystal-clear waters (20–30m visibility) and vibrant soft coral formations make it a standout spot in one of the world's largest marine sanctuaries. Often visited as part of a glass-bottom boat tour alongside Turks Reef, Direction Island, and the Phaeton shipwreck, this is a must-do for adventurers seeking remote, pristine reef snorkeling.
Western Boat Passage
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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: Tidal currents in the passage
The passage channels water between the outer reef and lagoon, creating strong tidal currents that can be challenging for inexperienced swimmers.
Low risk: Trade wind chop
Trade winds from May to October can create choppy surface conditions on the outer reef.
Low risk: Open ocean swell exposure
The site is on the outer reef edge, exposed to open ocean swell conditions.
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Getting in
Snorkel tour
Entry
Western Boat Passage is a remote snorkel site on the outer reef of the southern atoll of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. It is accessed via guided boat tours — most commonly with Cocos Blue Charters who run glass-bottom boat tours that stop here. The departure point is from the jetty on West Island.
Parking & facilities
Parking is available at the West Island jetty area near the visitor centre.
Part of a guided tour — prices vary by operator (approx. AUD $120–$160 per person for a half-day tour).
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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