Christmas Island

Christmas Island or Christmas Island commonly called (X-mas) is a small island just south of the Indonesian island of Java but belongs to Australia. You get here by plane but the options are few and they change often. Christmas Island has a tropical climate and is perhaps best known for its crabs and the great migration of red crabs usually starts in October/November when the rains start and is a spectacle that cannot be described.

Here you go out of your house to experience this almost annual event. In addition to this there is also a beautiful and wild nature, a very rich bird life with tropical birds as perhaps the crowning glory. A bird species in strong decline but here on Christmas Island there is a strong population of these incredibly beautiful birds. Here there is also the enormous Cocos crab in large numbers and the world's largest population as well as a further 10 or so other crab species, it really is the island of crabs.

The diving is really good, clear blue waters with good visibility and there is a rich marine life, dolphins and turtles are common but also large fish such as reef sharks and silky sharks are common as well as mantas and whale sharks in season. If you are lucky you can also see eagle rays, stingrays, tiger sharks and hammerhead sharks which live here all year round.

Beautiful coral slopes, some old wrecks, caves and thrilling wall diving. Christmas Island is a fantastic destination and you can go here all year round but maybe you should try to catch the crab migration which is a truly unique experience. Book in time, it is often full in the few places that can accommodate tourists.

Would you like a free travel proposal?

Fill out the form with as much information as possible.

One of our travel advisors will contact you shortly with a personalized proposal.

diving around Christmas Island

About land-based diving on Julön

The diving on Christmas Island east of here Australia is varied and rich in marine life. There are dramatic wall dives here that feel bottomless and around the island it actually goes down to a depth of 4-5000 meters. Large pelagic fish are seen here all year round but also dolphins and sometimes various whales pass by in the distance.

Here you will find coral gardens with hard corals in a mixed but mostly very good condition. When the autumn storms tear up the swell, unfortunately some corals break apart. But in the main, the corals are in very good or good condition.

Some parts feel more like sandy bottoms with scattered rocks and coral blocks. They give you lovely swimthroughs and there are actually also some smaller caves and even an old wreck so a little mixed in. Land based diving on Christmas Island has really good diving to offer.

Good chances of seeing big fish

Sharks often pass by or can be seen out of the blue, mainly reef sharks and silky sharks. If you're lucky, you can also see hammerhead sharks, blue sharks, tiger sharks and the huge whale shark that is often seen here around the crab migration. Also different species of manta rays, for example mantas and eagle rays and many turtles you will find here.

The reefs are filled with a nursery of fish and invertebrates and there are four endemic species of fish. Of course, there are also various crabs below the surface, although those on land are what made the island famous.

Basically all diving is done from a boat and there are only a few dive operators here so it is good to be out in good time when you want to book. Some dives take place where there is quite a current and sometimes high waves so you should feel comfortable with this but the diving is otherwise not difficult.

Christmas Island is a fantastic destination with a mix of diving and land adventures. Normally you do two dives per day here but it's actually quite nice and considering everything there is to experience on land it's almost optimal to also enjoy your holiday.