Christmas Island
About Christmas Island
| Currency | Australian Dollar (AUD) |
| Language | English |
| Capital | Flying Fish Cove (The Settlement) |
Christmas Island is located in Southeast Asia, south of Indonesia and approximately 1,550 km north-west of Australia. This small island has an estimated population of 2,200 inhabitants (2016); the majority live on the northern tip of the island. Around two-thirds of the island’s population are Malaysian Chinese. Christmas Island is an Australian non-self-governing territory. The chief of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who is represented by the Australian governor-general. An administrator is the head of the government of Christmas Island.
The island is named for the day it was discovered, Christmas Day 1643. In 1888 it was settled by the British. At the end of the Second World War, it became part of the new British colony of Singapore and then, later, as a separate British colony. In 1958, it was transferred to Australian jurisdiction.
The island is home to diverse wildlife including a wide variety of snail, butterfly, moth, beetle, spider, scorpion and crab species. The red crabs on Christmas Island are especially important to the island’s unique rainforests as they help to maintain them. Christmas Island’s biodiversity is protected with a National Park which makes up nearly two-thirds of the island.
Due to its location, Christmas Island experiences a tropical climate with both rainy (December to April) and dry (April to December) seasons and an average yearly temperature of approximately 27ºC.
Recommended Vaccinations For Christmas Island
For Most Travellers
Hepatitis B Vaccine
There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis B in this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.
Hepatitis A Vaccine
There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A in this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.
For Some Travellers
Typhoid Fever Vaccine
There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities, rural areas, or staying with friends and family.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine
A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.
Rabies Vaccine
Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers whose activities or employment may bring them into direct contact with bats (i.e. adventure travellers, veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers, etc.).
Yellow Fever Vaccine
There is no yellow fever risk, but a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over 1 year of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (except Galapagos Islands in Ecuador) and for travellers having transited for more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission (with the same exceptions as mentioned above).
Recommended Medications For Christmas Island
There are no recommendations for Christmas Island at this time.
Diseases To Be Aware of for Christmas Island
For Most Travellers
Hepatitis B
There is a risk for acquiring hepatitis B in this country.
Chikungunya Fever
Chikungunya fever may occur in this country.
Hepatitis A
There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A virus in this country through contaminated food or water.
For Some Travellers
Measles
There is a risk of acquiring Measles in this country.
Tuberculosis
Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the healthcare field, or having close prolonged contact with a sick person.
Hanta Virus
There is a risk of acquiring Hanta Virus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.
Rabies
Rabies may be present in bats, but has not been reported in domestic or wild animals in this country.
Typhoid Fever
Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in this country, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where water and food may not be safe.
Yellow Fever
There is no yellow fever risk, but a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over 1 year of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (except Galapagos Islands in Ecuador) and for travellers having transited for more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission (with the same exceptions as mentioned above).
Safety & Security in Christmas Island
Personal Safety
Christmas Island is generally very safe for visitors and business travellers. The island has low crime rates and maintains a small, close-knit community atmosphere where violent crime is rare. Most residents and visitors report feeling completely safe during both day and night. While petty crimes such as theft can occasionally occur, incidents are uncommon. The Australian Federal Police provides community policing services to the island. The island’s remote location and small population of around 1,700 people contribute to its secure environment. You won’t encounter significant crime-related risks during your visit. The main challenges relate to the island’s geographic isolation, which means medical facilities are limited and emergency evacuations may be necessary for serious health issues. Ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance that covers emergency evacuation to mainland Australia.
Extreme Violence
Christmas Island experiences virtually no extreme violence. Physical attacks, hate crimes and violent confrontations are rare regardless of your origin or background. The island maintains an exceptionally low rate of violent crime. Historical incidents of unrest have been confined to the immigration detention centre located on the island and have not affected tourists or the general community. In 2011 and 2015, protests and disturbances occurred at the detention facility, but these were isolated to that specific location and involved detainees and staff only. Visitors and residents in the community areas face no threat from such incidents. You can move freely around the island without concern for violent crime.
Political Unrest
Christmas Island does not experience political unrest that affects visitors. The island is an Australian external territory with stable governance under Australian law. While residents sometimes express frustration with the administrative system, which involves federal government bureaucracy and Western Australian laws enforced by federal police, this does not translate into protests or unrest in public areas. The detention centre on the island has been the site of protests and demonstrations in past years, but these incidents remain contained within the facility and do not spill over into the community or tourist areas. As a visitor, you will not encounter political demonstrations, civil disturbances or any form of political instability during your stay.
Areas To Avoid
Christmas Island does not have dangerous neighbourhoods or areas that business travellers need to avoid. The main settlement, Flying Fish Cove, and other residential areas including Poon Saan, Drumsite and Silver City are all safe. The immigration detention centre at North West Point is a restricted facility not accessible to tourists. Natural hazards present the main risks rather than dangerous areas. Sea cliffs and inland cliffs can be steep and treacherous, so keep away from cliff edges and avoid venturing onto rock platforms near the shoreline. When exploring the rainforest, stick to marked walking tracks and designated visitor areas as it’s easy to become lost. Swimming at beaches should only be done under calm conditions, particularly at Flying Fish Cove. Some beaches experience strong rips, large waves and undertows. The island’s remote nature means that getting lost or injured in unpopulated areas could delay rescue, so always inform someone of your plans when venturing into remote locations.
