Kellys Patch

Best months: Jul–Nov

Why dive here

With 231+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blacktip reef sharks, blue sharks, grey reef sharks and manta rays - Kellys Patch offers some of Cocos (Keeling) Islands's richest reef diving. Water ranges 27-29°C, warmest January, February, March.

Best timeJul–Nov

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeBarracuda, Blacktip Reef Sharks, Blue Sharks, Grey Reef Sharks and Manta Rays · 231+ species recorded

Water27-29°C · warmest January, February, March

CharacterReef dive

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Kellys Patch is one of those spots where you really feel the ocean’s power, a proper wall dive that drops away into the deep blue. The reef top is surprisingly narrow and shallow, a busy highway for wrasse and chromis, before it just falls straight down. We love hugging that drop-off, scanning into the blue for red bass or the odd tuna cruising by. It’s got that classic Cocos vibe, lots of schooling fish, and we’ve even spotted a few sharks here, though they tend to keep their distance. The corals up top are healthy, with impressive staghorn formations that catch the light, but the real show is the wall itself. Keep an eye out for polkadot cod tucked into crevices, or the delicate blennies clinging to the rock face. This site is best dived in the summer months when the currents are a bit more forgiving, and visibility averages a clear 23 metres. It’s a great pick for divers who enjoy a bit of drift and the thrill of looking out into the open ocean.