Christmas Island is a beautiful island. This single island is an Australian territory, located in the Indian Ocean. Nearly 2/3 of the island is a national park. The island is made up of diverse mix of cultures. Malaysian Chinese, Mainland European Australians, and Malay Australians make up most of the residents of the island. So the island is often referred to as the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean. Wet season, for the island's tropical equatorial climate, is between December and April; the island is in the path of northwest monsoons. The island has a unique population of wildlife due to the island's isolation and climate. The official language of the island is English but you will often hear other languages.
- Watch the annual red crab migration. The migration occurs between October and December. Adult red crabs migrate from the forest to the coast to breed. The eggs are released at the turn of the high tide and hatch as soon as they hit the water. After a month in the sea, the young crabs make the dangerous trek back to the forest to spend the first three years of their lives.
(Courtesy of Christmas Island Tourism)
- Enjoy the amazing scuba diving. Christmas Island has some of the world's largest drop-offs. The island is surrounded by narrow tropical reef that is home to beautiful types of hard and soft coral. Butterfly fish, eels, and so many other types of fish can be seen. The northern coast has the best unspoiled corals in the world, as well as docile whale sharks that visit between November and April.
- The island is a year round nesting ground for green and hawksbill turtles, especially Dolly and Greta beaches.
- Christmas Island is known for bird watching. 80,000 sea birds, of 23 different species, visit annually. The birds are very unique and very approachable. Bird 'n' Nature Week is also a great time to attend workshops and take part in seminars that discuss current research.
- Celebrate any of the numerous holidays that are celebrated on the island. Australia Day, Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Haji, and Month of the Hungry Ghost are just some of the holidays celebrated on the island. During some of these holidays authentic Thai, Chinese, Malay, or modern Australian food is enjoyed.