Meet the site
Unicorn's Playground is one of the lesser-known Cocos dive sites, described in Underwater Australasia's 'Destination Cocos (Keeling) Islands' feature on a trip with Cocos Dive. The article characterises it as an unspoiled coral garden with abundant fish: parrotfish, angelfish, butterflyfish and surgeonfish swarming the coral, and dart gobies and fire gobies hovering over their burrows in the sand. The name likely refers to unicornfish, surgeonfish with a horn-like projection on the forehead that are common on Cocos reefs, although the origin is not documented. Based on the description it is a relaxed reef dive suited to all certified divers, the kind of site used as a second dive of the day. The fire gobies and dart gobies make it rewarding for macro photographers, who can spend the dive lying off the sand edge waiting for the gobies to rise, while wide-angle shooters will enjoy the coral scenery. Visibility is typically 20–30 m. As with all Cocos sites, the remoteness and absence of dive pressure keep the coral in good condition. Ask Cocos Dive for the site by name; operator site names change over time, so it may now be known by another name. Because Cocos Dive runs only one or two boats and caps groups at 10 divers, sites like this see very few visitors in a year, and the reef shows it: broken coral and fishing debris are rare, and fish are unafraid of divers. Good buoyancy keeps it that way.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Unicorn's Playground 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 Unicorn's Playground 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 Unicorn's Playground 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
Parrotfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, surgeonfish, unicornfish (probably), dart gobies, fire gobies, hard corals
Location
Coral garden dive site described by Underwater Australasia on a Cocos Dive trip; 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
underwater.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
