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National park · Australia

Pulu Keeling National ParkTaman Negara Pulau Keeling

Go only if you have a permit and a boat arranged before you fly to the Cocos: North Keeling is 32 km north of West Island, landing is a swim over the reef, and boats turn back in rough weather. Most visitors see the atoll from West Island instead.

Not field-verifiedRamsar wetland 1990Some areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026
Map to the park
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From where I am

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Area

1 km²

approximate

Established

1995

Best months

Jun–Sep

UNESCO

None

Rules in force · 7
  • Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
  • Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
  • Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
  • Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
  • Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
  • Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
  • Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.

At a glance

Country
Australia
Area
1 km²
The park covers the whole of North Keeling Island, about 1.2 km² of land, plus surrounding waters (check).
Established
1995
Best months
Jun–Sep
Permits
For some areas

Pulu Keeling National Park protects the whole of North Keeling Island, a flat, forested coral island about 32 km north of West Island in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and one of Australia's smallest national parks at roughly 1.2 km² of land. It was protected from 1986, when the Cocos Malay community and the then national parks service agreed to stop hunting there, and was gazetted on 12 December 1995; it is comanaged with the Cocos Malay people. The island is the world's only home of the Cocos buff-banded rail and holds a large red-footed booby colony, plus green turtles, reef fish and more than twenty recorded crab species. There is no jetty, no accommodation and no marked trail network: you arrive by chartered boat, swim over the reef to the beach, and walk the open ground for an hour or two. Permits are limited and weather decides whether you land at all, so treat a visit as a bonus on a Cocos trip rather than the reason for it.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

  • Ramsar wetland · 1990Listed as a wetland of international importance (check).

Size and age

1 km² · national park since 1995

The park covers the whole of North Keeling Island, about 1.2 km² of land, plus surrounding waters (check).

Why go

  • The world's only breeding site of the Cocos buff-banded rail, a bird found nowhere else.
  • One of the largest red-footed booby colonies in the Indian Ocean, on a low forested island.
  • Reef and lagoon that see almost no divers or snorkellers.
  • Comanaged with the Cocos Malay community, so a visit supports local rangers and the island's own conservation work.

When to go

12-month verdict
  1. JanAvoid
  2. FebAvoid
  3. MarAvoid
  4. AprCaution
  5. MayGo
  6. JunBest
  7. JulBest
  8. AugBest
  9. SepBest
  10. OctGo
  11. NovCaution
  12. DecAvoid
  • JanWet season; strong winds, landing often impossible
  • FebWet season; cyclone risk
  • MarWet season; seas rough
  • AprWinds easing; boats still weather-dependent
  • MayDrier; calmer seas
  • JunDry season; steadiest boat conditions
  • JulDry; southeast trades
  • AugDry; good reef visibility
  • SepDry; calm spells
  • OctWarm; winds picking up
  • NovWet season starting
  • DecWet season; cyclone risk

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year
Wildlife and nature calendar for Pulu Keeling National Park
WhatJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Cocos buff-banded rail (ayam hutan)All year · Found only on North Keeling; the southern atoll population is gone.yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Red-footed booby colonyAll year · Nests in the forest; the colony was hit hard by Cyclone John in 1989.yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Green turtlesAll year · Seen on the reef and from the beach.yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Robber crabs and other land crabsAll year · More than twenty crab species are recorded in the park.yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

How to get there

From West Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Charter boat 32 km north, then a swim from the boat over the reef to the beach; no jetty.

2–4 h

From Home Island

Ferry to West Island first, then the charter north.

Half day plus boat

From Australia mainland

Flights to Cocos from Perth, then arrange the boat locally.

Flight plus 2–4 h boat

Open the page →

Zones and sectors

Zones of Pulu Keeling National Park
ZoneWhat is thereAccess
North Keeling IslandThe whole island: low forest, booby colonies, rail habitat.Permit only; walk on the beach and marked ground.
Reef flat and lagoonCoral, turtles and reef fish around the island.Snorkel or dive from the boat; no anchoring on coral.
Seabird coloniesRed-footed boobies and other nesting birds in the trees.Keep distance; no walking into nesting areas.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation
Sketch map of 4 approximate points in Pulu Keeling National Park, north up1234
Approximate positions for orientation only; the island is small and the landing point depends on the sea.
  1. 1North Keeling Island · Summit≈-11.832, 96.824Approximate centre of the island.Map ↗
  2. 2West Island settlement · Town≈-12.187, 96.829Approximate; the boat departure point.Map ↗
  3. 3Home Island · Village≈-12.118, 96.895Approximate; Cocos Malay community.Map ↗
  4. 4Reef landing beach · Beach≈-11.834, 96.820Approximate; the swim landing on the west side.Map ↗

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Top experiences

TrailsEasy1–2 hBeach and forest walk on North KeelingThe island is flat; walking is the only way around. Stay on open ground and away from nests.
SnorkellingModerate1–2 hReef snorkel from the boatUntouched coral and green turtles; the reef is shallow and the landing swim is over coral.
WildlifeEasy1–2 hSeabird watchingRed-footed boobies nest in the trees; watch from the beach edge without approaching.
DivingModerateHalf dayDive the outer reefVery few divers have been here; bring your own gear as there is no dive shop on the island.Booking: Arrange with the charter skipper

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Entry fees and permits

AUD ranges · check
Fees for Pulu Keeling National Park
ItemRangePerNote
Park entry permit (per person)FreepersonNo published entry fee; a permit is required and is issued by Parks Australia (check).
Charter boat from West Island to North KeelingFreeboatNo public fare; arrange privately or through a local operator, price on request (check).
Cocos (Keeling) Islands entry to other reservesFreepersonPulu Keeling is not covered by Australian state park passes (check).

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Park entry permit permit or guide

Apply to Parks Australia before travel; permits are limited and tied to a set visit date (check).

Boat and landing arrangement permit or guide

Charter from West Island; the skipper decides on the day whether the reef landing is safe.

Commercial filming or photography permit or guide

A separate permit is needed for images used commercially; personal photography is allowed.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more
Permit
You cannot land without a permit issued before travel; rangers may be on the island.
Landing
There is no jetty; you swim from the boat over the reef, and the skipper cancels the landing if the sea is up.
Wildlife
Do not approach nesting birds, turtles or crabs; keep to the beach and open ground.
Anchoring
No anchoring on coral; use the skipper's designated holding area (check).
Litter and fires
No fires; take everything back to West Island.

Where to stay

Near the park

West Island accommodation

The only realistic base; a handful of guesthouses and self-catering units, book ahead.

In the park

North Keeling

No camping or overnight stays; the island is a day visit only.

Safety

Reef landing and swim high

Only attempt with the skipper's go-ahead; wear reef shoes, keep gear minimal and follow the crew.

Weather turning medium

In the wet season (Nov–Apr) expect cancellations; build a spare day into the trip.

No medical or phone cover high

There is no clinic, no mobile signal and no rescue service on the island; carry a first-aid kit and a radio or satellite device.

Sun and heat medium

Tropical sun all year; hat, long sleeves and water.

Accessibility

  • The island is flat but reached only by a swim from a boat, so it is not accessible for limited mobility.
  • There are no paths, boardwalks or facilities on North Keeling.

Visiting lightly

  • Keep group size small; the permit system limits numbers and the reef is easily damaged.
  • Do not collect shells, coral or plants; everything in the park is protected.
  • Book boats through operators who follow the park rules and the Cocos Malay community's management plan.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Pulu Keeling National Park?

There is no published entry fee; you need a permit from Parks Australia and a chartered boat from West Island, and the boat is the main cost. Ask the operator for a price, as there is no public fare (check).

What are the best hikes in Pulu Keeling National Park?

There are no marked hikes. The island is flat and small, so a visit is a short beach and forest walk of one to two hours, plus snorkelling or diving from the boat. Walking is the only way to get around once you land.

When is the best time to visit Pulu Keeling National Park?

June to September, the dry season, when the southeast trades give the steadiest seas and the best chance of a safe reef landing. November to April is the wet season, with rough water and cyclone risk, and boats often turn back.

Can I stay overnight on North Keeling?

No. There are no places to sleep in the park and camping is not allowed. Visits are day trips from West Island.

How do I get a permit?

Apply to Parks Australia before you travel, with your dates and boat details. Permits are limited and tied to a set visit day, so do not book flights on the assumption that you will land (check).

Is Pulu Keeling covered by an Australian national park pass?

No. It is a Commonwealth reserve, not a state park, so state passes and the standard multi-park passes do not apply. See the national park passes page for what those passes do cover.

Related

Plan your trip to Australia National park passes

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go

Sources