A bit of info - Cocos (Keeling) Islands

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands consist of two flat, low-lying coral atolls with an area of 14.2 square kilometers (5.5 sq mi), 26 kilometers (16 mi) of coastline, a highest elevation of 5 mtrs (16 ft) and thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation.

The climate is pleasant, moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year and with moderate rainfall. Temperatures range from 22-28 degrees all year round.

North Keeling Island is an atoll consisting of just one C-shaped island, a nearly closed atoll ring with a small opening into the lagoon, about 50 mts (160 ft) wide, on the east side. The island measures 1.1 square kilometers (270 acres) in land area and is uninhabited. The lagoon is about 0.5 square kilometers (120 acres). North Keeling Island and the surrounding sea to 1.5 km (0.93 mi) from shore form the Pulu Keeling National Park, established on 12 December 1995. It is home to the only surviving population of the endemic, and endangered, Cocos Buff Banded Rail.

South Keeling Islands (were we will be staying and touring from)  is an atoll consisting of 24 individual islets forming an incomplete atoll ring, with a total land area of 13.1 square kilometers (5.1 sq mi). Only Home Island and West Islands are populated. The Cocos Malays maintain weekend shacks, referred to as pondoks, on most of the larger islands. 

Diving on Cocos:  Diving on Cocos Keeling Islands is not as broad as Christmas Island, however offers a terrific diversity, both with scuba and snorkeling. Click on this LINK for information from the Cocos Keeling Tourism on diving on the islands. 

Photography on Cocos:  You will be guaranteed of taking home some new artwork for your home!  What an amazing place for those beautiful tropical images - clear water, coconut palms, turquoise waters.  Just remember to bring a polarizing filter for your lenses.  To get the best from this island, bring a wide-angle lens, and a macro (for the crabs plus more).

More information - including history - can be found on Wikipedia via this LINK.

All images (unless noted)  - © Kingsley Klau