The climate of the Cocos (or Keeling) Islands, a territory of Australia in the Indian Ocean to the south of the Equator, is
tropical, with a hotter period from December to March, during which the maximum temperature hovers around 29/30 °C (84/86 °F), and a relatively cool period from June to October, during which the maximum temperature drops to around 27/28 °C (81/82 °F). The warmest months, albeit slightly, are February and March. The temperature is very stable, and it practically never gets either cold or very hot.
Here are the average temperatures of West Island.
West Island - Average temperatures| Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
|---|
| January | 24 | 29 | 26.5 | 75 | 84 | 79.7 |
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| February | 25 | 30 | 27.5 | 77 | 86 | 81.5 |
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| March | 25 | 30 | 27.5 | 77 | 86 | 81.5 |
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| April | 25 | 29 | 27 | 77 | 84 | 80.6 |
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| May | 25 | 28 | 26.5 | 77 | 82 | 79.7 |
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| June | 24 | 28 | 26 | 75 | 82 | 78.8 |
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| July | 23 | 27 | 25 | 73 | 81 | 77 |
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| August | 23 | 27 | 25 | 73 | 81 | 77 |
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| September | 23 | 28 | 25.5 | 73 | 82 | 77.9 |
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| October | 23 | 28 | 25.5 | 73 | 82 | 77.9 |
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| November | 24 | 28 | 26 | 75 | 82 | 78.8 |
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| December | 24 | 29 | 26.5 | 75 | 84 | 79.7 |
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| Year | 24 | 28.4 | 26.15 | 75.2 | 83.1 | 79 |
|---|
Relative humidity is always high, but the heat is tempered by the trade winds, which blow throughout the year, with a greater intensity in the coolest months (July and August) and a lower intensity in the warmest months (February and March).
Rainfall is abundant, around 2,000 millimeters (79 inches) per year; there is no dry period, even though the rains are more abundant from January to July, when they are around 200 mm (8 in) per month, with a maximum in March and April. The least rainy period is from September to November, when rainfall is lower than 100 mm (4 in) per month. The rainfall records, however, are high even in the months that are generally less rainy, which means that the rains do not follow the same pattern in all years. Here is the average precipitation.
West Island - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
|---|
| January | 190 | 7.5 | 11 |
|---|
| February | 160 | 6.3 | 12 |
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| March | 230 | 9.1 | 15 |
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| April | 230 | 9.1 | 14 |
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| May | 190 | 7.5 | 14 |
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| June | 200 | 7.9 | 16 |
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| July | 210 | 8.3 | 16 |
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| August | 130 | 5.1 | 13 |
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| September | 80 | 3.1 | 10 |
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| October | 70 | 2.8 | 8 |
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| November | 90 | 3.5 | 8 |
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| December | 110 | 4.3 | 8 |
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| Year | 1890 | 74.4 | 145 |
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There is a fair amount of
sunshine hours even in the wettest months, since the tropical rains mainly occur in the form of downpours or thundestorms, so they usually do not last long. However, the sun shines more often in the driest season.
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The
sea is warm enough to swim in all year round, as you can see in the following table.
West Island - Sea temperature| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
|---|
January | 28 | 82 | February | 28 | 82 | March | 28 | 82 | April | 28 | 82 | May | 28 | 82 | June | 28 | 82 | July | 27 | 81 | August | 27 | 81 | September | 27 | 81 | October | 27 | 81 | November | 27 | 81 | December | 27 | 81 | Year | 27.5 | 81.5 |
Tropical cyclones
The Cocos Islands can be affected by
tropical cyclones of the southern Indian Ocean, whose season runs from November 1 to May 15, although they are more frequent from December to March. However, in this area of the Indian Ocean, some tropical depressions (though not intense) have also been formed in other periods, namely, in June-July and September-October.
Best Time
The best time to visit the Cocos Islands corresponds to the months of
September and October, since they are, on average, the least rainy of the year. However, some showers should be taken into account also in this period. August is typically an acceptable month as well, although it's a bit more rainy.
What to pack
All year round, bring light clothes, a scarf for the breeze, a light sweatshirt for the evening, and a light raincoat or umbrella, especially in the rainiest season.