Meet the site
Lily Beach is the sheltered 'keyhole' beach next to Ethel Beach on the east coast, joined to it by a boardwalk. The Tourism Association describes a large sandy-bottomed rock pool that is ideal for children at low tide, set among dramatic cliffs, with gazebos, tables, chairs, barbecues and a fire pit – one of the best-equipped picnic spots on the island. In high seas people come to watch waves crashing into the keyhole.
For snorkellers the rock pool is a safe, shallow place to float over sand and rock and see small reef fish – damsels, wrasse, juvenile butterflyfish and surgeonfish – as well as crabs and molluscs, with no current. It is a good spot for families and non-divers while others dive at Ethel Beach or on the boat.
It is not a scuba site in its own right and appears in this database as a named coastal site on the east coast, adjacent to the Ethel Beach dive. The open reef beyond the rocks is exposed to swell and currents and should be left to the dive boats. Nearby Steep Point and Low Point bracket the beach, and the forested terraces of the Northern Plateau rise behind.
During the red crab migration, the east-coast beaches around Ethel and Lily are among the places to watch crabs descend to the sea and spawn before dawn on the receding high tide in the last quarter of the moon. Roads may be closed at short notice during the migration, so check before driving out. Suits families, beginners and snorkellers wanting a safe, easy swim.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Lily Beach is recorded as Shore/Rock Platform in Christmas Island. The listed access is shore. 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.
- Water movement
- Ask how swell and local exposure affect the proposed entry, exit and route.
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 Lily 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 Lily 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
Damsels, wrasse, juvenile butterflyfish and surgeonfish, crabs, molluscs; red crabs during migration
Location
Keyhole beach on the east coast with a large sandy-bottomed rock pool, next to Ethel Beach (linked by boardwalk).
Facilities nearby
Road access and parking, gazebos with tables and chairs, halal and non-halal barbecues, fire pit, boardwalk to Ethel Beach. No showers.
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
christmas.net.aucx.geoview.infocx.geoview.infoRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.