If you’re joining one of our fishing trips to the Cocos Islands, here are some answers to some of the most common questions.
In alphabetical order (click to expand)
Accommodation
Typical Cocos Islands homestay that will allow you to live like the locals. Each unit has two twin-sharing rooms, a bath and a toilet. They are also equipped with a kitchen, dining and living area with TV and wifi.
Alcoholic beverages
You can either bring your beer or other alcholic beverages from Perth or buy them when you arrive in Cocos Islands.
If you intend to buy the beer on arrival, there is a bar adjacent to the airport in West Island where you can get your supplies from.
We will then take a ferry across to Home island where we are staying and fishing from where there will not be any shops selling alcohol drinks.
Do respect the locals in Home Island where we will be staying and be discreet with your alcohol drinks.
Getting to Cocos Islands
At the time of writing the only flight to Cocos Islands is from Perth. Direct flight takes about 5.5 hours. Often there are short stops (an hour or less) either in Exmouth or Christmas Island.
Upon arrival in the Cocos Islands, your luggage will be loaded onto a truck and you’ll be taken to the wharf by bus. From there, you’ll board a ferry to get to Home Island.
Best time / Season
While some say October through April, others say August to March. Although we’ve had people fishing all through the year.
Something to bear in mind is Cocos Islands are made out of small little islands in the middle of a big ocean and as such it is always windy and susceptible to passing storms and cyclones can form year-round.
Fishing time
07:00-15:00 officially. If you’d like to carry on fishing, you can wade on the flats around the island and walk back to the lodging after.
What Flies?
• Sparsely tied
• Size 2-4
• In tan, pink and fluoro orange
• Shrimp patterns
• Crazy charlies
• Size 1-2 crabs, clousers for the triggers/permit
• A few GT 4/0 flies
There’s this one fly that has very deadly, the “Puuci” Bonefish Buzzer fly tied by David Samuel – you may want to tie some too.
Click to watch how to tie video here
Food / Meals
Breakfast in the homestay at 07:00. Packed lunch in the boat.
Home cooked local dinner (seafood, chicken, veg) at 19:00 served in the house.
Dietary requirements
If you have certain food allergies please provide a list so meals can be prepared accordingly.
Footwear
Most flats wading boots will work in Cocos Islands. Some sections of flats have very soft muddy bottoms so make sure your boots are in good conditions and the sole will not rip off.
Gear
Most commonly used fly setups are 8-weight or 9-weight. We’ve had anglers using 6wt and 7wt. Just bear in mind it is often very windy here.
Heavier gear are advantageous if targeting gt, triggers, bumphead parrotfish and such.
Tippets are usually 20 pounds to 25 pounds to bring bonefish in as quickly as possible. For the larger bruisers, the standard leader breaking strengths are 40 pounds and above.
Target species
• Bonefish
• Permit
• Giant trevally
• Triggerfish
• Humphead parrotfish
• Other (inshore) species: sailfish, bluefin trevally, coral trout, barracuda, red bass, longnose emperor, milkfish, maori wrasse and even dogtooth tuna.
Tip or gratuity
While tipping is not obligatory, it is always appreciated. If you have had an enjoyable experience or the guides have demonstrated exceptional efforts that warrant recognition, it is thoughtful to consider leaving a gratuity.
WiFi – Does the accommodation have wifi?
Yes there is WiFi at the accommodation. There are no cellular services available in Cocos Islands, only data.
What to know about Cocos Islands, check out the official Cocos Keeling Islands website
Have more questions? Leave a comment below.
