Extra Divers Christmas Island is a dedicated dive operation based on Australia’s remote Indian Ocean territory of Christmas Island. The operation focuses on small-group diving, personalised dive experiences, and access to some of the island’s best reef, wall, drift, cave, and macro dive locations. Diving here is shaped by dramatic underwater topography, exceptionally clear water, and strong marine biodiversity that combines Indian Ocean species with endemic reef life.
The island itself is known for steep volcanic drop-offs, large table coral formations, schooling pelagic fish, sharks, dolphins, and seasonal whale shark encounters. Many dive sites remain lightly visited compared to other Indo-Pacific destinations, giving the area a quieter and less commercial atmosphere both above and below the surface.
As part of the global Extra Divers Worldwide network, the operation combines international dive standards with local knowledge of Christmas Island’s changing marine conditions, seasonal access routes, and offshore environments. SSI and PADI training are available for beginner through advanced divers, while snorkellers and non-divers can also join selected boat trips and marine excursions.
Facilities & Meals
Accommodation options range from restored colonial-era villas to apartment-style lodging and hotel-style rooms within Settlement. Self-catering facilities are common across the accommodation portfolio, with kitchens, lounge areas, laundry facilities, and outdoor relaxation spaces available for guests. Nearby restaurants, supermarkets, cafés, and takeaway venues are located within walking distance of most accommodation options.
The dive operation runs from Flying Fish Cove and provides equipment storage, rinse facilities, Nitrox availability, rental gear, diver support services, and transport coordination where required. Boats are purpose-built for diving and snorkelling with shaded seating, marine toilets, ladders designed for fin entry and exit, and dry storage areas for cameras and personal belongings.
Activities
While scuba diving is the primary focus, Christmas Island also offers birdwatching, jungle trekking, photography, snorkelling, freediving, fishing, golf, and wildlife observation. The island’s national park system covers much of the territory and includes rainforest trails, caves, waterfalls, natural pools, beaches, and historical sites linked to the island’s mining history.
Seasonal wildlife events are another major attraction, particularly the annual red crab migration between October and January depending on rainfall and lunar cycles. Whale sharks, manta rays, spinner dolphins, seabirds, robber crabs, and endemic bird species can also be encountered throughout the year.
Staying Connected
Mobile coverage on Christmas Island is limited primarily to Telstra services, with patchy reception outside populated areas and national park regions. Internet access is provided via satellite and fibre infrastructure, although speeds and reliability may vary depending on location.
Divers Villa and Sea Spray Villa both include complimentary fibre-based Wi-Fi under a fair-use policy, while Wi-Fi hotspots and prepaid internet access are also available in township areas and selected businesses. Guests are generally advised to download maps, travel documents, and applications before arrival due to the island’s remote location.
We Think . . .
Extra Divers Christmas Island suits divers looking for a remote destination with strong biodiversity, varied underwater terrain, and relatively uncrowded dive conditions. The combination of wall diving, caves, drift dives, macro subjects, whale shark seasonality, and endemic marine species creates a diving experience that feels distinctly different from many mainstream Indo-Pacific destinations.
The operation’s small-group approach, flexible dive style, and practical accommodation options also make it well-suited to underwater photographers, experienced divers, and travellers wanting to combine diving with wildlife and nature-based exploration.
Christmas Island lies in the Indian Ocean approximately 350 kilometres south of Java and forms part of Australia’s Indian Ocean Territories. Often referred to as the “Galapagos of Australia,” the island is recognised for its combination of marine biodiversity, endemic wildlife, dense rainforest, and dramatic volcanic coastline.
The island’s underwater environment is defined by steep walls, caves, lava formations, coral gardens, and deep offshore waters located close to shore. Nutrient-rich currents moving through the region support reef fish, sharks, manta rays, whale sharks, dolphins, and seasonal pelagic activity. Visibility commonly exceeds 30 metres for much of the year, while water temperatures generally range between 24°C and 29°C.
Above water, Christmas Island is heavily protected through national park and marine park systems, covering much of the island’s rainforest and coastline. Wildlife encounters are common both on land and underwater, particularly during the annual red crab migration and seabird nesting periods.
How to Get There
Christmas Island is accessed primarily via flights from Perth operated through the international terminal. Scheduled flights generally operate several times weekly, with routes sometimes including stops at Port Hedland or the Cocos (Keeling) Islands depending on the schedule.
Passengers should arrive at Perth Terminal 1 International for departures. Although the flights operate between Australian territories, government-issued photo identification or a valid passport is required for check-in.
Car hire is strongly recommended due to the island’s steep terrain, tropical climate, and lack of public transport or taxi services. Airport transfers may be arranged through the dive operation for guests staying in affiliated accommodation or participating in dive packages.
Accommodation used by Extra Divers Christmas Island focuses on practical access to the dive centre while maintaining proximity to the island’s coastline, restaurants, and local facilities. Options range from restored colonial homes to self-contained lodges and hotel-style rooms.
Shared features across most accommodation categories include air conditioning, Wi-Fi access, kitchen or kitchenette facilities, laundry access, and outdoor seating areas suited to divers returning from daily dive trips.
1. Divers Villa
Divers Villa is a restored colonial-era property originally built during the 1930s and later renovated into a diver-focused accommodation. Located in Settlement along the coastline, the villa sits within walking distance of shops, restaurants, supermarkets, and the Extra Divers dive centre.
The property includes tropical gardens, outdoor seating areas, BBQ facilities, and shared indoor living spaces overlooking the ocean. Guests have access to a large communal kitchen equipped with modern appliances including oven, stove, dishwasher, fridge, freezer, microwave, toaster, and coffee facilities.
Accommodation is divided across four room categories:
Deluxe Bedroom
The largest room category includes a king-size bed, private bathroom, separate lounge area, wardrobe space, and ocean-facing sitting area with convertible sofa bedding.
Superior Bedroom
This room includes a king-size or twin-share configuration, private bathroom, desk, wardrobe, and additional seating space suitable for couples or small families.
Standard Bedroom
A simpler room category with king-size or twin-share bedding, desk, and access to a shared bathroom located across the hallway.
Economy Bedroom
The most compact option within the villa featuring a queen-size bed, storage shelving, and shared bathroom access.
The villa operates as a self-catering accommodation without daily housekeeping during stays. Entire-property bookings are also available for groups and dive clubs.
2. Seaspray Villa
Sea Spray Villa is a separate self-contained apartment-style property positioned beside Divers Villa. Historically used as staff quarters during the phosphate mining era, the villa has since been renovated while retaining elements of its colonial architecture.
The accommodation includes a studio-style bedroom and lounge layout with king-size or twin-share bedding, sofa bed, full kitchen, private bathroom, washing machine, Wi-Fi, and outdoor patio area overlooking the coastline.
Sea Spray Villa accommodates up to three adults and is suited to couples or smaller groups seeking more privacy while remaining close to the dive centre and township facilities.
3. The Sunset
The Sunset provides hotel-style accommodation centrally located within Settlement. Rooms are air-conditioned and include ensuite bathrooms, flat-screen televisions, microwave, mini-fridge, tea and coffee facilities, toaster, and complimentary limited Wi-Fi access.
Guests have access to an outdoor swimming pool, BBQ facilities, communal kitchen facilities located nearby, and coin-operated laundry services. Room categories include Standard Rooms without views, Ocean View Rooms, and Superior Ocean View Rooms positioned on the upper level.
4. Cocos Padang Lodges
Located directly opposite the dive shop, Cocos Padang Lodges offer practical apartment-style accommodation suited to groups and long-stay divers. Facilities include air conditioning, television, DVD player, laundry facilities, and full cooking amenities.
Bedroom configurations typically include two queen rooms and one twin-share room, making the lodges suitable for families, groups, or dive buddies travelling together.
Diving Location Features
Diving around Christmas Island combines coral reef systems, volcanic walls, caverns, caves, drift dives, and deep offshore environments within relatively short boat distances from Flying Fish Cove. Many reefs begin in shallow water before dropping steeply into the open Indian Ocean, creating conditions suitable for both macro life and pelagic encounters.
More than 200 coral species and hundreds of reef fish species have been identified around the island, including endemic fish and unusual hybrid species not commonly seen elsewhere. Seasonal marine life may include whale sharks, manta rays, hammerhead sharks, silky sharks, dolphins, reef sharks, and large schools of pelagic fish.
Macro subjects are also common across many dive sites, with ghost pipefish, harlequin shrimp, nudibranchs, dragon moray eels, and reef invertebrates frequently encountered in shallower reef areas and protected sections of coastline.
Visibility often exceeds 30 metres and may occasionally reach 50 metres or more during calmer seasonal periods. Water temperatures generally range from 24°C to 29°C depending on seasonal currents and upwellings.
Best Time to Dive
Diving is available throughout the year, although conditions vary between the dry “trades” season from April to November and the wetter “swell” season between November and April. Seasonal wind direction influences which coastlines and dive sites remain most accessible at different times of year.
Whale sharks are most frequently reported between October and April, while manta rays are also more common during warmer seasonal conditions. August and September may experience cooler nutrient-rich upwellings with slightly reduced visibility but increased marine productivity.
The October to December period is particularly popular due to whale shark activity, calmer conditions, and the annual red crab migration occurring on land.
Dive Services
Extra Divers Christmas Island operates daily two-dive half-day trips with departures generally beginning around 7:30 AM. Surface intervals are usually completed while relocating between sites, with dives commonly limited to one hour and conducted within diver certification depth limits.
SSI and PADI courses are available alongside Try Scuba programs, refresher training, Nitrox diving, guided diving, technical diving support, and snorkelling excursions. Rental equipment includes BCDs, regulators, wetsuits, dive computers, SMBs, and other standard dive gear.
Nitrox is available, and tanks support both DIN and Yoke/INT fittings. Divers are required to carry their own surface marker buoy during dives.
The operation uses two purpose-built dive boats, Nemo and Ocean Diver, both designed for diving and snorkelling with shaded seating, marine toilets, ladders suitable for fin use, freshwater rinse facilities, storage areas, emergency oxygen, VHF radio communication, and Australian maritime safety equipment.
Dive Sites
- Thundercliff Cave – One of the island’s best-known dives, Thundercliff Cave combines reef, wall, and cavern environments. Divers may surface within an open chamber inside the cave system while exploring stalactites, schooling cave fish, and passing pelagics outside the entrance.
- Perpendicular Wall – This advanced wall dive descends vertically into deep offshore water and is known for strong currents, shark encounters, and large pelagic species including whale sharks and sailfish during the appropriate season.
- Flying Fish Cove – A popular shore-diving area featuring multiple entry points including Admin Wall and Sandpatch. The site supports reef fish, macro life, garden eels, trevally, fusiliers, reef sharks, and occasional hybrid fish species unique to Christmas Island.
- Eisevold Wreck – A shallow World War II wreck dive where coral growth and marine life now cover the remains of the vessel. Batfish, octopus, reef fish, and night-diving subjects are commonly observed around the structure.
- Pig Rock & Egeria Point – These neighbouring sites are known for large gorgonian sea fans, reef walls, shark activity, and wide-angle photography opportunities in clear water conditions.
- Lost Lake Cave – Located near one of the island’s larger cave systems, this site combines reef diving with cavern-like topography and occasional whale shark encounters during seasonal migrations.
- West White Beach – A shallow coral site suitable for both diving and snorkelling with clownfish, reef fish, dolphins, and seasonal whale shark sightings sometimes reported close to shore.
Pricing for Extra Divers, Christmas Island
| Valid to 31 January 2027 | AUD | |
| Staying at Extra Divers Accommodation | ||
| 7 Nights Seaspray Villa Double with 10 dives and return airport transfers | 2125 | |
| 7 Nights Seaspray Villa Single with 10 dives and return airport transfers | 3000 | |
| 7 Nights Divers Villa Deluxe Bedroom Double with 10 dives and return airport transfers | 2160 | |
| 7 Nights Divers Villa Deluxe Bedroom Single with 10 dives and return airport transfers | 3070 | |
| 7 Nights Divers Villa Economy Bedroom (Double) with 10 dives and return airport transfers | 1810 | |
| 7 Nights Divers Villa Economy Bedroom (Single) with 10 dives and return airport transfers | 2370 | |
| Valid to 31 March 2027 | AUD | |
| Staying at The Sunset | ||
| 7 Nights Standard Room (Double) with 10 boat dives and return airport transfers | 2020 | |
| 7 Nights Standard Room (Single) with 10 boat dives and return airport transfers | 2790 | |
| 7 Nights Superior Ocean View Room (Double) with 10 boat dives and return airport transfers | 2143 | |
| 7 Nights Superior Ocean View Room (Single) with 10 dives and return airport transfers | 3035 | |
| Staying at VQ3 Lodge | ||
| 7 Nights Standard Room (Double) with 10 boat dives and return airport transfers | 1950 | |
| 7 Nights Standard Room (Single) with 10 boat dives and return airport transfers | 2650 | |
| 7 Nights Superior Room (Double) with 10 boat dives and return airport transfers | 1985 | |
| 7 Nights Superior Room (Single) with 10 boat dives and return airport transfers | 2720 | |
| Staying at Cocos Padang Lodge | ||
| 7 Nights 1 Bedroom (Double) with 10 boat dives and return airport transfers | 2125 | |
| 7 Nights 1 Bedroom (Single) with 10 boat dives and return airport transfers | 3000 | |
| 7 Nights 2 Bedroom (Double) with 10 boat dives and return airport transfers | 2195 | |
| 7 Nights 2 Bedroom (Quad) with 10 boat dives and return airport transfers | 1723 | |
| Valid 29 February 2027 to 31 March 2028 | AUD | |
| Staying at The Sunset | ||
| 7 Nights Standard Room (Double) with 10 boat dives and return airport transfers | 2055 | |
| 7 Nights Standard Room (Single) with 10 boat dives and return airport transfers | 2860 | |
| 7 Nights Superior Ocean View Room (Double) with 10 boat dives and return airport transfers | 2178 | |
| 7 Nights Superior Ocean View Room (Single) with 10 dives and return airport transfers | 3105 | |
| Staying at VQ3 Lodge | ||
| 7 Nights Standard Room (Double) with 10 boat dives and return airport transfers | 1985 | |
| 7 Nights Standard Room (Single) with 10 boat dives and return airport transfers | 2720 | |
| 7 Nights Superior Room (Double) with 10 boat dives and return airport transfers | 2020 | |
| 7 Nights Superior Room (Single) with 10 boat dives and return airport transfers | 2790 | |
| Staying at Cocos Padang Lodge | ||
| 7 Nights 1 Bedroom (Double) with 10 boat dives and return airport transfers | 2160 | |
| 7 Nights 1 Bedroom (Single) with 10 boat dives and return airport transfers | 3070 | |
| 7 Nights 2 Bedroom (Double) with 10 boat dives and return airport transfers | 2230 | |
| 7 Nights 2 Bedroom (Quad) with 10 boat dives and return airport transfers | 1740 | |
| Pricing includes accommodation on a double or single basis, a total of 10 dives (2 per day) including weights, air tanks and boat. | ||
| The per person pricing above is indicative only: we show 7 night with 10 dive packages at high-end and lower-end rooms (singles & doubles) for the purposes of comparison. We can give you a price (and availability) for any combination of nights/dives you wish to undertake, which will include any discounts due to you as part of that package, and any exclusions, or items payable at the resort. Please use the [Enquire Now] tab to give us your exact requirements and we'll give you the best deal we can. | ||
