I went two years ago, flat water, great lagoon, wind all day. Kited for 6 days straight in solid 15 knots late July/ early August as an intermediate kiter. I was lucky with the wind and able to use an 8 and 10 generally. Needed a 12 that I hired from Jen at Zephyr for a day or so. Duty free alcohol, fresh food's expensive (all flown from Perth). Mobile phones and crackberries didn't work there two years ago - this is the best part of the place so I hope that hasn't changed. Would definitely go back.

Listen to the voice of experience. Don't go.

It's awful.

I've been every year since 2007 and booked again for this year.

ApatheticEnd said...

Is there any tide/access restrictions? I want to be able to kite all day.

Break your 12 hour session each day for a few hours at low tide.

So, worth the thoudands of dollars to get there and kite??? Would love to go one day when im more experienced than I am now

Had a great time with the family , awsome fishing , diving,freediving,great surf , if you like kiting in flat to choppy conditions , then I'm sure you'd love it, after 2 weeks there i missed my home spot and the waves, for a beginner I'd recommend it, if you want clubs and nightlife , awsome restaurants, you'd be better off elsewhere, but that's what I loved about it, can get a bit costly, $1000+each for flights,$4000 for house, car hire, I think all up we spent $11000 ish for a family of 4 we went of our own accord not sure what it costs with zephyr kite tours, email Rob s he's a village elder or visit the website,

Went there in 2009 and have been hanging to go back ever since. Awesome place, so chilled. I think because its a little expensive it keeps the the average tourists and bogans away, so it's a win really!!!

Apethetic usually shared house accommodations,but the place has units villas and private houses check out cocos island tourism

wdric said...
How many times a week to you currently kite?
How long will it take you to get 5 or 6 good solid sessions in?

Just think how much more experienced you will be after a trip like where you can watch others and ask questions and everyone helps each other out, and at the end of each day you can talk about kite sh!t with everyone else

not as much as i would like unfortunately
working away on the mines is great. . . .except if the wind is no good the week im home theres 5 weeks without any time on the water. gonna take me years just to start jumping hahaha

will definately book a trip over one day, looks amazing! and no passport required? is that correct as its ozzy soil????

Rob S said...

Listen to the voice of experience. Don't go.

It's awful.

I've been every year since 2007 and booked again for this year.

Do you go with Zephyr or do your own thing?

I had emailed a few organisations in CoCos and have mixed results in the quality of answers. Some take days if not weeks to answer, some answer straight away, some never answered.
For me this is already an indication of the performance of a business. If I have to wait too long for an answer I am not interested. I give them the benefit of the doubt, but after 3 days I expect an answer.

You can book the cheapest flights for 460 - 480$ one way. I booked a self contained unit in a bit more exclusive setting for $140 a night for two. Alkohol is cheap (tax free) and a buffet dinner can be had in the Motel I was told. I have a car for the time to be independent and lock my stuff when I am at the public beach although I was told this is not necessary.
I am not a group person, so I prefer to travel as individual as I am. After a complaint to someone in Cocos that I do not get any answers on some emails I received a friendly email from
Kerenda.

Here her email:
=============================================================
My name is Kerenda and I am the Coordinator of the Cocos Keeling Islands Visitor Centre.

I believe that you have some queries regarding your trip to the Cocos Islands in July.

If there is anything that I can help you with or any issues that you need clarified, please do not hesitate to contact me directly on (08) 9162 6790 or via email [email protected]
===============================================================

I believe she is happy to answer all your questions.

I had a very long chat with two people who have been there and got a reasonably good picture about what to expect. If you want you can PM me, maybe I know what you are looking for.

I will be there in the second half of July.

regards
gmd

Knickers said...

^^
Note to sef, аvoid July for a trip to Cocos.

If you are frustrated with level of service on island so far, you will be about ready to go on a shooting spree after your first days there:-(


I recommend take some chill pills and go with the island flow, it is NOT a tourist resort which will pander to your every need.

I do not expect "service for every need " .. I am real good on my own doing everything myself. :) but they all also expect your money upfront, so I expect
a minimum of professionalism.

I just hate lack of information and consider unanswered emails lack of courtesy
not just lack of business sense.

It is very simple to set up an auto answer. May be something like this: Hi there, am out having lots of fun. Not sure when I am back, but please do not get impatient if it takes a few days to get back to you. I am ok with something like that ..

Actually some answered pretty quick and nice ..

No answer or late answer - lack of competence in a service job .. period ..


Well, I live long enough in WA to be used to that everything happens in slow motion and not just in Cocos

regards
gmd

This would mean massive changes to the current minimal security and change the whole feel of the place. I doubt the scroungers will continue to play golf across the airstrip if this happens.

davem207 said...

www.theaustralian.com.au/nocookies?a=A.flavipes


wonder if u could re-direct the camera for some good action pics on the next trip! lol

gmd said...

Knickers said...


but they all also expect your money upfront, so I expect
a minimum of professionalism.

I just hate lack of information and consider unanswered emails lack of courtesy
not just lack of business sense.

No answer or late answer - lack of competence in a service job .. period ..

Well, I live long enough in WA to be used to that everything happens in slow motion and not just in Cocos

regards
gmd

Some of your best holiday experiences in the world may very well be at a place that has poor service as you see it, but I bet when you land in an island paradise like this you will be greeted with a friendly smile that will help you forget all about the emails back home because they are good with people not computers;)

I reckon you are more likely to have a sh!t holiday at a place that has a fancy brochure, swank website and answer emails very efficiently because they are more focused on making money than making memories for their guests!

wont be long the place will be full of yanks and restricted areas :/ prolly have good internet and communication tho

Get in there now before the yanks take the place over, absolute disgrace.