Why Christmas Island for a Honeymoon
Few places pack this much nature into 135 square kilometers. Beyond the red crabs, the island has the world's largest population of robber crabs, the giant coconut crab that can be the size of a small dog. It is the only nesting site for Abbott's booby and the Christmas Island frigatebird. The golden bosun, a tropicbird with a long golden tail, is the island's emblem and wheels around the cliffs every day.
Underwater, the reef fringe is narrow and the ocean floor plunges into deep water close to shore. That means wall dives and snorkels with big visibility, plenty of fish and a good chance of dolphins, mantas and, in the right season, whale sharks.
The culture is a surprise too. Chinese temples sit near a mosque and a kampong of Malay homes. The food reflects that mix. For a couple, it all adds up to a trip with real stories and almost no crowds.
Best Time to Visit
Christmas Island has two broad seasons. The drier months from about July to October bring lighter rain, steady trade winds and calm seas for diving on the north coast. This is a comfortable time for hiking and beaches.
The red crab migration starts with the first heavy wet-season rains, usually in October or November. The spawning itself is timed to the moon, often in November or December. Parks Australia publishes predicted dates, but the crabs keep their own schedule, so build some flexibility into your trip. Whale sharks are often sighted in the warmer months that follow the spawning.
From about December to March, northwest swells can make Flying Fish Cove and the north coast rough. Dive operators then shift to sheltered sites. The wet season can run into June, with heavy downpours and occasional cyclones. Temperatures stay in a narrow band all year, with highs around 29°C (84°F).
Where to Go
Our Christmas Island National Park guide covers the places that make the island special: the Dales, Dolly Beach, Hugh's Dale waterfall, the Blowholes and the walks and lookouts across the plateau. Most of the island's beauty lies inside the park.
Flying Fish Cove, also called the Settlement, is the island's only port and its small center. The beach here is the easiest place to snorkel, with coral and fish just a few kicks from shore. Above the cove, Poon Saan has many of the Chinese restaurants and temples. The Malay kampong sits along the waterfront below.
Lily Beach and Ethel Beach on the east coast are short drives and good for a swim on calm days. Margaret Knoll lookout gives a long view along the cliffs. For a different angle on the island's history, visit the old phosphate railway relics and the heritage buildings around the Settlement.
Sample 10-Day Itinerary
Days 1 to 2: Perth. Fly from the US to an east coast hub, then on to Perth. Rest, eat well and catch the flight to the island.
Days 3 to 4: Settle into Flying Fish Cove. Snorkel off the beach, take a first dive and eat at a Chinese or Malay restaurant in Poon Saan.
Days 5 to 7: Explore the national park. Walk the boardwalk to the Dales and Hugh's Dale waterfall, drive the 4WD track to Dolly Beach for a swim and see the Blowholes at sunset. Add a night dive or a birding morning.
Days 8 to 9: If the loop flight lines up, hop on to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands for white sand and a turquoise lagoon, a sharp contrast with Christmas Island's cliffs and forest. Otherwise, save these days for a second round of dives and a splurge night at Swell Lodge.
Day 10: Fly back to Perth. Flight days are limited, so confirm the schedule before you build the trip around it. If you add Cocos, consider giving it more than two nights.
Budget and Costs
Christmas Island is not cheap. Most costs are tied to distance and the small scale of everything. Treat the following as rough guides only.
Return flights from Perth often cost well over 1,000 Australian dollars per person and seats can sell out around crab season. Add your fares from the US to Perth via an east coast hub.
Accommodation is mostly self-contained apartments, lodges and guesthouses, typically around 150 to 350 Australian dollars a night for a double. A 4WD rental often runs about 100 to 150 dollars a day. Dives and guided tours are priced like the mainland or a little higher.
Food costs more than in Perth because most of it arrives by ship or plane. Alcohol is cheaper, since the island is duty-free. A couple should budget roughly 350 to 550 Australian dollars a day on the island, more for daily diving.
Getting There and Around
No regular flights reach Christmas Island from the US or from nearby Asia. Everyone comes through Perth. Fly from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas or Houston to Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, then take a domestic flight to Perth, or connect in Singapore.
Virgin Australia ended its Perth service in October 2025. Since November 2025, QantasLink has flown Airbus A320s from Perth several times a week, some via Learmonth near Exmouth, with loops that also link the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Check current days, which are few.
The airport (XCH) is a short drive from the Settlement. A car is essential. A 4WD gives you access to Dolly Beach and other tracks. Drive slowly, especially during crab season, when roads may be closed and crabs cover the asphalt.
Culture and Etiquette
The island's mix of communities is part of its charm. Chinese residents, many descended from phosphate miners, live mostly in Poon Saan. Malay families live in the kampong by Flying Fish Cove, with a mosque at its center. The European and Australian community lives mostly in the Settlement. Festivals follow the calendar of each group, so you may arrive during Chinese New Year, Hari Raya or Christmas.
Respect local customs when you visit temples or the kampong. Dress modestly away from the beach, remove shoes where asked and ask before taking photos of people.
The national park has rules that matter. Stay on trails, do not feed or handle crabs or birds and give nesting birds space. During the migration, crabs have right of way. Locals rake them off roads and drive at a crawl. Follow their lead and you will be welcomed.
Quick tips
- Reserve a 4WD with your flights; several beaches and trails need one and rentals are limited.
- If you come for the crab migration, expect road closures and drive slowly around crabs.
- Set your watches to island time, UTC+7, which is one hour behind Perth.
