Direction Island - General Info

Where is Direction Island - Cocos Keeling?

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are an archipelago of 27 islands in an almost perfect circle – only two of which are inhabited.  Direction Island is the main yacht anchorage in the islands and lies 1.5NM north of Home Island.

Entrance Notes and Cautions for Direction Island:

For anchoring information see the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Vessel Code of Conduct and Information Guide.  The GPS position of the entrance into the lagoon, west of Direction Island, is reported not to accord with most charts, both paper and electronic. Entrance to the lagoon is between Horsburgh Island and Direction Island. The entrance pass to the atoll is deep, wide, and well lit.

Holding in the anchorage is good, however, cruisers who have visited report that it is always windy with the trades and although the reef takes away the vast majority of the big swell, there is still quite a long fetch from the reef to the Direction Island anchorage.

Visiting vessels are required to enter and depart the anchorage at Direction Island only and are prohibited from transiting the lagoon to the Home Island or West Island wharf facilities.  You can only get around using your own dinghy/tender if it is big and strong enough, or use the local ferry or water taxi service.

Cruiser Highlights for Direction Island

One of the largest protected marine sanctuaries in the world, covering 467,054 square kilometres with over 500 species of vibrant fish, majestic manta rays, fat hawksbill and green turtles, and bottlenose dolphins.

Position:

12° 05'28"S, 096°53'01"E (anchorage)

Last updated:  September 2025