YACHTS TO CHRISTMAS ISLAND
Christmas Island welcomes visiting yachts to its beautiful shores
The Port of Christmas Island extends a warm welcome to visiting yachts at Flying Fish Cove. Upon arrival, contacting the Harbour Master on VHF Ch16 with the call sign "Christmas Island Port Control" is essential for mooring instructions. Four to five yacht moorings are available throughout the year, and mooring fees apply.
For safety reasons, visiting yachts are recommended to time their arrival during daylight hours. Anchoring in Flying Fish Cove is prohibited to prevent harm to coral formations, with exceptions granted only with express permission from the Harbour Master. Large buoys from the main mooring systems are reserved for commercial shipping operations.
Flying Fish Cove serves as a versatile recreational area for activities like swimming, snorkeling, diving, and kayaking. Yachts must be mindful of an 8-knot speed limit, especially when entering or leaving the cove, to ensure the safety of individuals engaged in recreational activities.
Yacht dinghies, adhering to the 8-knot speed limit, may tie up to the landward side of the jetty but should avoid securing to the aluminum stairs and landing on the eastern side. The jetty, integral to commercial shipping operations, houses the office of the Harbour Master, who welcomes courtesy calls from visiting yacht skippers.
At the western end of the Marine Building, public showers and toilets, accessible 24/7, are available for visiting yacht crews, requiring only soap and a towel. Environmental responsibility is emphasised, with strict prohibitions on dumping garbage or galley washes into the surrounding waters.
Yachts arriving at Christmas Island must undergo Customs and Immigration formalities by the Australian Border Force (ABF). Vessel masters are legally obligated to notify the ABF of their impending arrival, with details on reporting periods and necessary information available at on the ABF website. Notifications can be sent via email to yachtreport@homeaffairs.gov.au, faxed to +61 (0)2 6275 5078, or phoned in at +61 (0)2 6246 1325.
Departure formalities are also required.