Packing for a trip can feel overwhelming, especially when your destination is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean. The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are spectacularly remote, and that’s all part of the appeal: turquoise lagoons freckled with coral reefs, coconut palms and white-sand beaches.

However, this isn’t like taking a trip to the Gold Coast, where forgotten essentials are easy to pick up at the nearest Woolies. There are limited items in the supermarkets of the Cocos, so you really need to get your Cocos (Keeling) Islands packing list just right.

As you’ll quickly find out while reading our Ultimate Cocos (Keeling) Islands Travel Guide, water activities are the bread and butter here, so we’ve included what to pack for Cocos Island snorkelling, diving and kitesurfing, as well as everyday activities.

Quick Packing Overview (Read This First)

Your Cocos Keeling Islands packing list doesn’t have to be overcomplicated. First, it’s good to remind yourself that some things absolutely cannot be purchased on the island. This includes prescription medications, specialist foods (for allergies and intolerances) and most branded clothes and toiletries.

Other items can be purchased locally. Basic groceries (aside from fresh produce), cleaning materials and basic toiletries fall under this category. Snorkelling gear, including masks, snorkels and fins are available for rent at the West Island visitor centre, too, but there’s a limited stock and size selection.

Packing smart is key; flights to the Cocos have strict weight limits on baggage (30kg for checked luggage and 7kg for carry-on bags). Most tourists end up regretting not packing their own snorkelling gear and extra swimsuits, as well as their favourite snacks.

Essential Clothing for the Cocos Islands

Your clothes need to be able to handle everything from flying to the Cocos and taking the ferry to beach days and long, humid strolls around the islands.

As we explain in our guide to the best time to visit, the Cocos climate is hot and humid all year round, with temperatures sitting around 24 – 30 °C.Therefore, lightweight, breathable clothes are Cocos Islands essentials.

Cotton, linen and silk are all good materials for hot and humid climates. You’ll also want to avoid tight-fitting clothes and opt for looser designs that let your skin breathe.

If you plan to visit Home Island, your Cocos Keeling Islands packing list should also include a modest outfit covering the shoulders and knees. This island is home to the majority of the Cocos Malay population, who are mostly devout Muslims.

• T-shirts and singlets
• Shorts and/or skirts
• Lightweight long-sleeve top
• Long trousers or maxi skirt
• Dresses
• Underwear and socks
• Lightweight pyjamas
• Swimwear, ideally multiple sets
• Sneakers
• Thongs
• Light sweatshirt or hoodie for the flight

Reef, Lagoon & Water Gear (Non-Negotiables)

Once you’ve ticked off how to get to the Cocos Islands, most people go straight to planning their water activities. With colourful fish, dolphins and nearly 100 species of hard and soft coral, snorkelling and diving prove some of the most popular activities, closely followed by kitesurfing and island-hopping by motorised canoe.

Again, knowing what to pack for the Cocos Islands water activities is simpler than you’d think.

Your Cocos snorkelling gear should always include a rashie, mask, snorkel and fins. Snorkelling gear can be hired from the West Island visitor centre, but it’s not guaranteed that they’ll have your size in stock. Reef shoes are also essential to prevent injury on sharp corals, rocks and other pieces of debris on the seafloor.

Make sure to update your Cocos Keeling Islands travel packing list as follows:

• Well-fitting mask, snorkel and fins
• Reef shoes
• Rashie
• Dry bags

Sun & Weather Protection

It’s easy to forget about sun protection when you’re watching the tail-end of a turtle disappear behind a coral bommie. However, it’s one of the most important Cocos Islands essentials.

Reef-safe sunscreen will protect your skin from UV damage while also protecting the corals and marine life. A rashie (and/or Lycra leggings, if you’re kitesurfing) adds another barrier against the sun.

The humidity can be difficult to adjust to, so breathable materials (cotton, linen, silk) still reign supreme on your Cocos Islands packing list.

Rain is another possibility, especially in the wet season from March to July. A lightweight waterproof rain jacket will come in handy for any unexpected rain showers.

• Sun hat
• Sunglasses
• Reef-safe sunscreen
• After-sun care and aloe vera
• Lycra leggings (recommended for kitesurfers)
• Lightweight waterproof rain jacket

Snorkelling & Diving Packing List

We’ve already covered your Cocos snorkelling gear. However, if you’re planning to go scuba diving in search of the Cocos’ mantas, turtles and trevally, your Cocos Keeling Islands packing list will need to include some specialist gear.

There’s only one dive operator on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Cocos Dive. Helping your costs & budget, most gear is available to hire, including dive computers, BCDs and regulators. However, divers are advised to bring their own suits (at least 3 – 5 mm in thickness), masks, snorkels and fins.

If you intend to log new species with underwater photos, you may also need an underwater camera and suitable housing.

• Dive logbook and qualification card
• Thermal protection suit
• Dive computer (if you’d rather use your own)
• Underwater camera and housing
  
  

Kitesurfing Packing List (If Applicable)

If you’re a kitesurfer, it’s more important than ever that you know exactly what to bring to the Cocos Islands.

There are two options here. You can bring your own gear, which may be a struggle given the strict 30kg weight limit on checked baggage to the Cocos. Otherwise, you can hire kitesurfing gear from your kitesurfing tour provider, Zephyr Kite Tours or Apex Watersports.

The best season for kitesurfing is the trade wind season from May to June and September to October, with winds of 15 – 25 knots blowing into the archipelago almost every day. For a typical day, a two- or three-kite quiver is recommended; the exact size depends on your weight.

Kitesurfing gear should be checked in as a priority bag, and packed with soft padding and ideally compression bags.

If you only check it in as excess baggage, it’s not guaranteed to get to the Cocos on the same day as you because flights operate on a subject-to-load basis and excess baggage is often left behind if the flight is already at its weight limit.

Your kitesurfing Cocos packing list should include:

• Two-kite quiver (three if needed)
• Bar and lines, plus spares if needed
• Harness
• Twin-tip board
• Bindings
• Kite repair kit
• Impact vest
• Helmet
• Pump hose and connection (if needed)
• 2mm wetsuit, Lycra leggings and boots

Photography & Tech Gear

Tech isn’t an essential for your Cocos Keeling Islands packing list, but it may be if you need to handle remote work or photography.

Drones are permitted at the Cocos Keeling Islands, and must follow Australia’s recreational drone safety rules and regulations.

• Mobile phone
• Chargers (type I socket)
• Power banks
• Waterproof cameras
• Drones (rules & limitations)
• Offline maps and downloads
• Laptop or handheld games consoles (if needed)

Food, Snacks & Dietary Requirements

Wondering what to pack for the Cocos Islands food-wise? There are supermarkets on West Island and Home Island. However, they only offer a small variety of groceries and fresh produce is often extremely limited.

Food restrictions on the Cocos Islands are a huge consideration. Any specialist food (such as gluten-free or lactose-free products) should come with you from Perth.

Snack foods are also expensive at the Cocos, so families may want to pack their kids’ favourite snacks if they’re picky eaters. Once you decide how long to stay, you can think about how much food to pack.

Nowadays, alcohol is easy to get in the Cocos Islands. On West Island, duty-free beer, wine and spirits are sold at the Cocos Club. Just remember, you shouldn’t drink in public areas because the islands are predominantly Muslim, and this would be considered culturally insensitive.

• Gluten-free and allergy-friendly food
• Baby food
• Snacks for picky eaters
• Protein bars and supplements

Toiletries, Health & Medical Items

The Cocos have one GP and four nurses, who are spread between clinics and pharmacies on West Island and Home Island. After hours, an on-call nurse is available for emergencies only (medical evacuations to Perth).

There are limited medications at the pharmacies on the Cocos, so a basic first-aid kit and prescription medications are two Cocos Islands essentials. There are also only basic toiletries for sale on the islands, so if you’re at all picky, you should bring your own.

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Toiletries, including shower gel, shampoo, conditioner and moisturiser
• Deodorant
• Razors
• Hairbrush or comb and hair ties
• Insect repellent (with at least 20% DEET content)
• Sunscreen and SPF lip guard
• Cosmetics and makeup remover
• Contact lenses and solution (if needed)
• Sanitary pads and tampons (if needed); tampons are not available on the islands
• Hand sanitiser
• Nail clippers
• Prescription medication
• Motion sickness tablets
• First-aid basics

Documents & Travel Essentials

You should always keep documents and travel essentials safe, ideally in a waterproof folder or, at the very least, a resealable plastic bag.

Although a passport isn’t required for Australian citizens to travel to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, it’s still smart to take it on the domestic flight just in case the plane is diverted to another country.

Most places accept card payments, but the ferry and the buses at the Cocos only accept cash. You may also find you need cash at restaurants or local shops on the Cocos.

• Passport
• Cash and card
• Domestic travel insurance, including a print-out of the policy and details.
• Printed bookings

What You Can Leave at Home

There are some things that just don’t make sense on a Cocos Keeling Islands packing list. Luggage weight limits are very strict on flights to the Cocos, so the more things you can strike off your list, the more room you have for the Cocos essentials.

• Excess shoes: Two pairs of shoes is enough for the Cocos, one closed-toe shoe and one pair of sandals.
• Heavy jackets: You can leave bulky winter jackets behind. They aren’t needed because the weather stays between 24 – 30 °Call year round.
• Unnecessary tech: Unless you have to do remote work, you can probably afford to leave valuables like your laptop behind. It’s unlikely they’ll get much use when you’re busy exploring beaches and coral reefs.
• Rental items: Bicycles and adult-sized snorkelling gear can be rented locally, helping you to save more space and avoid excess baggage fees.
  
  

Packing Tips for Families

That brings us to one final consideration: what to bring to the Cocos Islands for families. For the most part, kids will need the same clothes and gear as adults. However, you may need to consider providing extra entertainment for flights and downtime as well as snacks for picky eaters.

• Kids’ snorkel gear is limited on the islands, so it’s a good idea to pack masks, snorkels and fins that you know will fit your children.
• Sun-safe clothing helps to prevent sunburn, especially if it’s hard to persuade your little one to reapply sunscreen.
• Snacks, especially specialist food and branded snacks for picky eaters.
• Entertainment for flights will come in handy, including books, basic art supplies, handheld games and card games.

FAQs About Packing for the Cocos Islands

Can you buy snorkelling gear there?
Basic snorkelling gear can be purchased at the Cocos Islands. However, there’s limited availability and the price is inflated compared to mainland Australia.

What food is restricted?
You cannot take homegrown produce, seafood, tomato, capsicum or fresh honey to the Cocos Keeling Islands.

How strict are baggage limits?
The baggage limits for the Cocos Keeling Islands are strict. Each passenger is limited to 30kg per person for checked luggage and 7kg for carry-on bags.Do you need reef-safe sunscreen?
You need reef-safe sunscreen for the Cocos Islands. These provide sun protection without hurting the environment.