Meet the site
Cossies Beach on Direction Island was voted Australia's best beach, and it is where most visitors spend the hours between ferries. For snorkellers it offers the gentle alternative to The Rip: the official tourism site notes that calmer, beginner-friendly snorkelling is available in shallow coral areas near the beach, and Will Parker's Direction Island guide describes Cozzies as calm lagoon swimming – less dramatic than The Rip but easy. The water is turquoise and shallow over white sand, with coral patches and bommies scattered close to shore. Juvenile blacktip reef sharks patrol the shallows, turtles pass through, and small reef fish – damsels, wrasse, butterflyfish, parrotfish – crowd the coral. Snorkellers finishing a run through The Rip drift out into this part of the lagoon, so it can be combined with the drift or used as a warm-up. The beach itself is a crescent of white sand fringed with coconut palms, with shaded picnic shelters, BBQs and eco toilets behind it. Direction Island has no permanent residents, no shop and no drinking water, so everything must be brought on the ferry. The island's history is visible on the heritage trail: the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company cable station operated here from 1901, the Emden landing party came ashore in 1914 to wreck it, and a slipway and tank from the flying boat and sea rescue presence are Commonwealth Heritage-listed. Because the snorkel is shallow and calm, it suits families, children and nervous swimmers, and it's a lovely place to spend a half day. Take care to stand on sand rather than coral when resting.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Cossies Beach is recorded as Shore/Rock Platform in Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The listed access is shore. Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is Cossies Beach suitable for my certification?
The record lists Snorkel/Any. That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book Cossies Beach through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
Juvenile blacktip reef sharks, green turtles, parrotfish, wrasse, damsels, butterflyfish, hard corals, giant clams
Location
Lagoon-side beach on Direction Island with shallow coral patches close to shore, a few minutes' walk from the ferry jetty and next to The Rip's exit.
Facilities nearby
Eco toilets, picnic tables, wood-fired BBQs, shelters (pondoks); no shops, food or water.
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
cocoskeelingislands.com.auwillparker.com.auen.wikipedia.orgcocoskeelingislands.com.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
