Meet the site
Fan Wall is one of the deeper northern-rim sites and the official Cocos tourism listing recommends it for more advanced divers. The range is 18–40 m, and it is described as having 'plenty to see on top and down the wall'. The reef top at 18 m is covered in healthy coral and busy with reef fish, and the wall falls into deeper blue water where the gorgonian fans that name the site grow. At about 40 m there is a cave that the official listing notes is accessible to experts – a dive for those with deep training and experience, and only with the guide's agreement. Because the wall faces open water, the pelagic life is good: black trevally school off the face, sharks cruise the wall, and dogtooth tuna appear out of the blue. The combination of fans, big fish and depth gives the site a more serious feel than its neighbours Cannons and Two Ridges, which are only a short swim away, and it is a natural choice for experienced groups. Depth planning is essential. The interesting parts are deep, no-decompression times at 30–40 m are short, and there is no recompression chamber on the islands, making conservative profiles more important than usual. Currents can run along the wall with the tide. Divers new to deep diving should hold at 25–30 m and enjoy the fans and fish rather than aim for the cave. For photographers, the fans with trevally or a shark passing make strong wide-angle subjects. Details of the cave's size and extent are not published; penetration beyond daylight should not be attempted.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Fan Wall is recorded as Wall in Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The listed access is boat (day trip). Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Topics flagged by the stored research
These are questions prompted by the existing notes, not a verified or complete hazard assessment.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- Lines and obstructions
- Discuss any known entanglement concerns and the suitability of the planned area.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
- Overhead environments
- Ask whether the plan stays entirely in open water. A wreck or cave listing is not permission or training to enter.
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 Fan Wall suitable for my certification?
The record lists Deep/Advanced + experience. 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 Fan Wall 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
Gorgonian sea fans, black trevally, grey reef sharks, dogtooth tuna, reef fish
Location
Wall on the northern rim of the southern atoll near Direction Island, at -12.0868, 96.8738, with a cave at about 40 m.
Facilities nearby
Departs West Island; no shops or fuel on the outer islands – Cocos Dive supplies lunch on day trips.
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.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
