Christmas Island, which is situated at the peak of an ancient oceanic volcano, is a fascinating and mysterious place. There are thousands of islands in the world, but none quite like this one. Here's why it is worth visiting Christmas Island.
Unique Attractions
Unlike many similar destinations, Christmas Island is not particularly geared toward tourists. This means that the island is ripe with raw and unexplored natural beauty.
Also called the island of crabs, Christmas Island is home to a number of unique species and phenomena. Endemic to the island, the Red Crabs have gained worldwide fame. Once a year, there is a mass migration of epic proportions, which involves the red crabs scuttling to the ocean in order to spawn. The migration - a vast red blanket of little crabs - is considered a natural wonder of the world.
In order to observe this magical phenomenon, visitors should aim to be there in November and keep a close eye on the sky, as the crab migration occurs in synchronization with the moon cycle.
Volcanic soil is potent and fertile, and so is all subsequent life that the soil sustains. The lush rainforests of Christmas Island are Tolkienian in their magnitude, pregnant with life and prehistoric mystery. Visitors can hike through the dense ecosystem and experience an incomparable connection with the Earth.
Visitors looking to catch a thrill can hike through the forest to reach the outer edge of the island, where there are several steep cliffs to dive from.
Speaking of Tolkienian fantasy coming to life, earlier in 2021, explorers discovered an underwater volcano near the island, which they appropriately named the "Eye of Sauron". There are many more secrets in the waters around the island. For this reason, it is a great destination for diving and snorkeling.
Tranquility
Apart from physical activities like hiking, diving, and snorkeling, there are many reasons why Christmas Island is worth visiting.
The island is home to less than 2000 people. This makes it significantly less populated than some of the remotest islands like Tarawa in Kiribati. This, coupled with the fact that cellular reception is scant, means that the island provides an incomparable opportunity for isolation and escape from the raging mechanism of the modern world.
Soak in the tranquil seclusion by basking in the tropical sun and reading a book at one of the many pristine beaches, or catch the sunset over the vast ocean and watch the birds migrate as they have done for thousands of years. Visitors can resensitize their natural senses by taking a shower under one of the many waterfalls or seek solitude by floating in the turquoise waters of an ocean cave.
For visitors with a flair for cultural anthropology, the island can be a fascinating place. A large portion of the inhabitants are of Chinese origin. This is reflected in the linguistic makeup of the island which consists of Mandarin, Malay, Cantonese, and several other languages. However, almost half of the natives are of undetermined ethnic origin, totally unique to the island.
Since Christmas Island is a melting pot of cultures, there is a diverse array of churches, temples, and undefined places of worship. In fact, many of the religious traditions that are native to the island are so distinct that there is very little information about them.
In the late 1950s, the island was the site of nuclear bomb tests, the long-term effects of which are largely unknown. While the world's focus is on places like Chernobyl, Christmas Island has its own evolutionary enigmas to uncover as a result of nuclear testing.
Logistics
This remote island in the Indian Ocean is an Australian territory despite being closer to Indonesia. The advantage of this is that the island uses the Australian dollar, which is relatively stable and easy to convert.
Getting to Christmas Island can be tricky. There are no daily flights to and from the island, so flexibility and planning are needed to visit. The usual points of departure and layover are in Perth, Jakarta, and Kuala Lampur. Being a part of Australia, the island is inaccessible for tourism in 2021.
- Route: Perth, Western Australia to Christmas Island
- Duration: Less than four hours
- Costs: Over $1000
There is no reliable taxi service, so the best way to get around is by hiring a car. However, roads are limited and poor in quality, so getting to the best parts of the island requires a four-wheel-drive car. Accessing some of the beaches requires a combination of driving and traversing through the forest on foot.
Due to the remoteness and small population, supply chains are expensive to maintain. The cost of food at supermarkets is, therefore, pricier than most places. Additionally, there are very few hotels, and living costs for visitors are relatively high.
The Sunset hotel, located in the capital of the island, Flying Fish Cove, offers ocean views and comfortable lodging.
- Cost per night: $175 per night with a discount
- Amenities: Air-conditioning, free parking, kitchenware, Wi-Fi
- Perks: Balcony ocean views, saltwater pool, laundry services, proximity to the capital city
At this point in time, the world is facing a shortage of sand, leading to the extinction of natural beaches. With ocean levels rising and sea life under threat, Christmas Island may be one of the last few places to encounter the world as it was. Visit the island for its unique natural, cultural, and historical mysteries, and beauty.