West Island: how to get there and around
Airports, stations, ports, where the hotels are and what the numbers say, from public data rather than a brochure.
West Island is the capital of Cocos Islands, 12 m (39 ft) above sea level. The nearest large airport is Cocos (Keeling) Islands Airport (CCK), 4 km (2 mi) from the centre.
Key facts
Open West Island in Google Maps
Daylight in West Island runs from about 11 h 27 min a day in late June to 12 h 53 min in late December (computed for -12.16° latitude), which matters more than the forecast when a day is built around one flight or one crossing.
Getting there
West Island is served by one airport with scheduled flights. The closest large one is Cocos (Keeling) Islands Airport (CCK), 4 km (2 mi) from the centre, with a longest runway of 7,999 ft, which limits it to short and medium-haul aircraft.
Flights to West Island: every airport, routes and times
Buses to West Island · Driving and car hire
Common questions
Which airport serves West Island?
Cocos (Keeling) Islands Airport (CCK), 4 km (2 mi) from the centre.
How big is West Island?
About 120 people live in West Island (GeoNames).
What time zone is West Island in?
Indian/Cocos, currently UTC+6:30.
What currency is used in West Island?
The Dollar (AUD). Traffic drives on the left.
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.