West Island - Shore Services

The Community Resource Centre is located in the Administration building. Facilities include ATM, internet and WiFi. See the main Communications section for details of WiFi hotspots and mobile phone hire.

Provisions are available, but fresh food is expensive as most of it has to be flown in from Perth. A limited selection of fresh fruit and vegetables is available from Cocos Produce on West Island.

There is no duty on alcoholic drinks. Alternatively, one can order fresh vegetables, which will be brought in by plane the following week. Larger orders, when provisioning for a passage, should be placed with the main store on West Island well in advance of departure.

Airports
West Island Airport. The Islands are serviced by bi-weekly flights (currently Mondays and Fridays) to and from Perth, Western Australia.

Airlines
National Jet Systems, Tel: +61 9162 6695. Tickets should be booked early as the service is heavily utilised.

Bike Hire
A great way to see both Home and West Islands.
Home Island Bike Hire, please ask the ferryman.
Cocos Surf Shop, located in the Airport Complex West Island. Tel: +61 9162 6768.

Buses
A local bus service from West Island Settlement to the jetty operates approximately 20 minutes prior to the departure of the ferry to Home Island.

Ferries
Timetables are available from the Tourism office or the Duty Free Shop. Between West Island and Home Island, ferries run Mon-Sat several times per day (5 to 6 times). The journey between islands takes half an hour. There is an evening service on Wednesdays. Cost Au$2/person/trip. The bus from West Island dock to the settlement (7km) is Au$0.50.

To Direction Island from West Island, ferries run on Thursday and Saturday morning, via Home Island. The ferry returns in the afternoon to West Island.

When the tide is low, treat yourself to a fascinating reef walk from Scout Park to Pulu Maraya, a tiny uninhabited island at the southern end of the atoll, where you'll find some excellent snorkelling.

Located next to Tropika Restaurant, Cocos Duty Free sells electical goods, clothes and souvenirs. Open Monday to Fridays.

Sandy Feet Souvenirs is located at the airport on West Island, and sells souvenirs, clothing, jewellery, bags and children's gifts. Opening times vary, please check the front door for details.