Meet the site
Turtle Rock appears on Diveplanit's list of Cocos dive sites, where it is described as a reef dive with busy parrotfish activity, and the name points to its reputation for turtles. Green and hawksbill turtles are common around Cocos – the lagoon's seagrass beds are an important green turtle feeding area, and hawksbills feed on the sponges and soft corals of the outer reefs – so turtle encounters are a regular part of diving here. Beyond this, public documentation of the site is very limited: the official tourism dive-site listing does not include it, and neither its GPS nor its depth range is published. What can be said is that, like other Cocos reef sites, it offers healthy hard coral, varied reef fish and good visibility, typically 20–30 m. Parrotfish are the other stars: schools of parrotfish graze the coral, their crunching audible underwater, and the larger species such as humphead parrotfish are seen around the atoll. Divers visiting Cocos for a week or more are likely to be offered a mix of sites, and Turtle Rock is one of the options the operator uses. Anyone particularly keen on turtles should ask Cocos Dive to include it. The site is presumed to be suitable for Open Water divers, but depth, current and layout should be confirmed on the day. Turtle-watching etiquette applies: stay back, don't block their path to the surface to breathe, and never touch or ride a turtle. Turtles resting under ledges should be left undisturbed; a turtle that is repeatedly startled uses oxygen it needs for its next dive.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Turtle Rock is recorded as Reef 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.
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 Turtle Rock suitable for my certification?
The record lists 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 Turtle Rock 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
Green turtles, hawksbill turtles, parrotfish, reef fish, hard corals
Location
Reef dive site listed by Diveplanit for Cocos Dive; exact position on the southern atoll not published.
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
diveplanit.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
