Meet the site
Smith Point is the headland that encloses Flying Fish Cove on its western side – the point beneath Tai Jin House, the old residence of the phosphate company's managers that is now the island's museum. It is the first site on the run west from the cove and one of the boat sites Curious Campers lists among those to the west of Flying Fish Cove, alongside Daniel Roux Cave, Million Dollar Bommie, Barracuda Bay and Thundercliff Cave.
Published descriptions of Smith Point itself are brief, but it follows the pattern of the island's north coast: a narrow shelf of hard coral close to the cliff at 5–10 m, then a steep slope and wall that falls away well beyond sport-diving depth. Being a point, it tends to catch whatever current is running along the coast, which brings in schooling fusiliers, trevally and the occasional reef shark, and makes it better suited to a drift than a return dive. The wreckage of the Eidsvold, towed towards the point after she was torpedoed in 1942, lies just inside, and the submarine entrances of Daniel Roux Cave are a short distance to the south along the same stretch of cliff.
The attraction is convenience: it offers genuine wall diving only minutes from the jetty, so it is used when operators want a short run, for a second dive after a site further west, or when the rest of the north coast is marginal. Expect the same healthy coral cover, endemic and hybrid reef fish, and chance of turtles and pelagics as the cove, with a little more current. It suits divers comfortable on a wall and in mild drift conditions. Documentation is limited, so confirm the plan in the boat briefing.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Smith Point is recorded as Wall in Christmas Island. The listed access is boat. 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.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
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 Smith Point suitable for my certification?
The record lists Advanced Open Water. 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 Smith Point 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
Fusiliers, trevally, reef sharks, Christmas Island (Cocos) angelfish, hybrid butterflyfish, triggerfish, surgeonfish, hawksbill turtles, hard corals and sea fans
Location
The headland forming the western arm of Flying Fish Cove, below Tai Jin House; a coral slope and wall a few minutes by boat from the jetty.
Facilities nearby
Departs Flying Fish Cove jetty/ramp – car park, toilets, showers and picnic area.
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
curiouscampers.com.aucx.geoview.infoen.wikipedia.orgRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.