Christmas Island is an island in the Indian Ocean under Australian sovereignty with just over 2,000 residents, most residing on the Northern tip of the island, where Flying Fish Cove is located. There is a jetty and a boat ramp and it is possible to land on the beach with a tender most of the year. Petrol and diesel are available at the filling station which is around 200m from Flying Fish Cove. Nearby you will find a basic supermarket that stocks fresh water. There is a hospital but no private medical care like GPs or dentists.
Why Christmas Island?
Clearly there are not many options when it comes to shopping on Christmas Island and limited yachting supplies makes stocking up a bit of a concern. Car hire on the island is expensive and there is limited night time entertainment. On a positive note, Christmas Island has a diverse and interesting population of endemic animals residing along the coastline and in the monsoonal forest. Besides the natural splendour, what is the attraction behind sailing enthusiasts and other visitors making their way to Christmas Island every year?
Sailing to see a different kind of red sea
Around 44 million Christmas Island red crabs live on the island. This species of land crab is endemic to the region and responsible for a spectacular annual event – a mass migration to the coast to reproduce early in the wet season. Males lead the way, followed by females in what looks like a brightly coloured wave swooping down to the coastline. Once they reach the shore, male crabs dig burrows and are joined by their mates to start the process of reproduction. Female crabs then produce eggs that develop into baby crabs after just over a month. The little crabs then make their first migration inland in another, somewhat more delicate red sea. Whether sailing to Christmas Island to experience the outward or inward migration, it is well worth the journey.
