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Smith Point, Christmas Island, offers rugged Indian Ocean coast, rainforest wildlife, red crabs and access to the island’s natural heritage.

A Rugged Coastal Setting

Smith Point is a small, lightly developed coastal destination on Christmas Island, an Australian territory in the eastern Indian Ocean. Its character comes from the contrast between dense tropical rainforest and the island’s hard, wave-battered limestone coast. Rather than a conventional resort, it is a place for observing the island’s natural landscape, seabirds and changing ocean conditions in a quiet setting away from the main settlement. Access and conditions can vary, so visitors should treat the coast as a natural environment rather than an amenity-filled beach destination.
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Wildlife and Island Ecology

Christmas Island is internationally recognised for its endemic wildlife, particularly the annual migration of its red crabs from the forest towards the sea. Smith Point forms part of the wider island environment in which rainforest, cliffs, coastal vegetation and marine habitats meet. Christmas Island frigatebirds, Abbott’s boobies and other seabirds are among the species associated with the island, although sightings depend on season, weather and location. The surrounding waters also support coral-reef and pelagic marine life, but access to the shoreline should never involve entering unstable cliffs or restricted areas.

Exploring from the Island’s Settlements

The nearest practical bases are the settlements of Flying Fish Cove, known locally as The Settlement, and Drumsite, while the island’s small road network provides access to other national-park sites. Visitors can combine Smith Point with rainforest walks, coastal viewpoints, the historic phosphate landscape and cultural attractions elsewhere on Christmas Island. Facilities at the point itself are limited, making preparation, environmental care and attention to local access advice more important than expecting shops, cafés or formal visitor services on site.

When is the best time to visit Smith Point?

Best: June–August · 28–29°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January30224
February30186
March30150
April30121
May30102
June (best)2982
July (best)2880
August (best)2882
September2895
October29117
November30151
December30200

Getting to and around Smith Point

How to get there

Christmas Island is reached through Christmas Island Airport, with air connections centred on Perth and schedules that may change. Visitors should confirm current services, baggage arrangements and any transit requirements before travelling. Smith Point is not a separate transport hub and has no known passenger ferry or commercial airport access of its own; it is approached from the island’s road network. Flying Fish Cove, also called The Settlement, is the principal administrative and service centre and a useful arrival base, while other settlements provide additional practical links across the island.

Transportation

A hire car or locally arranged vehicle is generally the most practical way to explore Christmas Island’s dispersed coastal and rainforest sites, although visitors should confirm vehicle suitability for the roads they intend to use. Roads can be narrow, steep or affected by rain, and access to some natural areas may change according to conservation or maintenance requirements. Walking is appropriate for selected established routes, but Smith Point should not be treated as part of a continuous, fully serviced walking network. Taxis and organised transfers may be limited, so transport should be arranged before travelling to remote locations.

Best attractions in Smith Point

Smith Point’s principal attraction is the meeting of Christmas Island’s rainforest and exposed Indian Ocean coast, with views shaped by limestone cliffs, ocean swell and dense coastal vegetation rather than by conventional beach facilities. The point is best combined with the island’s wider natural attractions, including the rainforest tracks and feeding areas around The Dales, the Blowholes on the southern coast, and coastal sites such as Lily Beach, Ethel Beach and Dolly Beach where access conditions permit. Christmas Island National Park protects much of the island’s distinctive habitat, while the annual red-crab migration can transform roads and forest margins during its seasonal movement towards the sea. Nearby Flying Fish Cove provides the island’s principal settlement, cultural facilities and harbour setting, and the Pulu Keeling National Park visitor information available through local authorities helps place the island within the wider Cocos Keeling and Christmas Island environment.

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Best landmarks in Smith Point

Smith Point is chiefly a natural landmark, defined by Christmas Island’s raised-limestone coastline and the abrupt transition from tropical forest to open ocean. Its significance lies in the island’s geological structure and in the way coastal cliffs and exposed rock record continuing erosion by Indian Ocean waves. The point also belongs to the cultural landscape of an island shaped by phosphate mining, settlement and later conservation, although the most visible historic features are found elsewhere. Flying Fish Cove contains important community landmarks, including the island’s harbour and the Taoist temple associated with its Chinese heritage, while the Dales, the Blowholes and the island’s phosphate-era infrastructure provide additional reference points for understanding Christmas Island’s natural and human history. Conditions at the coast can change quickly, so the value of Smith Point is observational rather than architectural or recreational.

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Explore Smith Point on the map

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Best restaurants in Smith Point

Smith Point itself has no established dining scene, so visitors should eat before leaving the island’s settlements and carry suitable provisions for a coastal outing. The main choice of cafés, takeaways and restaurants is concentrated around Flying Fish Cove and other populated areas, where food reflects Christmas Island’s multicultural community, with Chinese, Malay and Australian influences visible in home cooking and local hospitality. Seafood and ingredients brought through the island’s supply network may feature, although menus and opening arrangements can change. Kampong and The Settlement are useful places to look for everyday meals, while accommodation providers may offer limited dining or cooking facilities. Picnicking can be practical for daytime exploration, but all food waste should be removed and visitors should not feed wildlife.

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Best bars in Smith Point

Smith Point has no nightlife infrastructure, and evenings there are better suited to quiet observation of the coast than to organised entertainment. Christmas Island’s limited social scene is concentrated in The Settlement, Kampong and other inhabited areas, where licensed venues, community gatherings or informal hospitality may be available depending on local arrangements. The atmosphere is generally shaped by a small island community rather than by clubs or a dedicated entertainment district. Visitors should not assume that a venue will be open late or that transport back from a settlement is readily available. Evening walks near Smith Point also require particular caution around cliffs, uneven ground and changing weather, with no lighting or on-site services to rely upon.

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Best nightclubs in Smith Point

Smith Point has no nightlife infrastructure, and evenings there are better suited to quiet observation of the coast than to organised entertainment. Christmas Island’s limited social scene is concentrated in The Settlement, Kampong and other inhabited areas, where licensed venues, community gatherings or informal hospitality may be available depending on local arrangements. The atmosphere is generally shaped by a small island community rather than by clubs or a dedicated entertainment district. Visitors should not assume that a venue will be open late or that transport back from a settlement is readily available. Evening walks near Smith Point also require particular caution around cliffs, uneven ground and changing weather, with no lighting or on-site services to rely upon.

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Best shops in Smith Point

There is no shopping at Smith Point itself, and Christmas Island’s retail facilities are limited compared with those of a mainland destination. Visitors should buy water, food, fuel and outdoor essentials in Flying Fish Cove or another populated area before travelling to remote coastal sites. Small local businesses may offer groceries, practical supplies, souvenirs and products connected with island life, while community events and cultural organisations can provide opportunities to learn about Christmas Island’s Chinese, Malay and Australian heritage. Availability is shaped by the island’s distance from major markets, so particular goods should not be assumed to be in stock. Local purchasing supports the community, but visitors should avoid removing natural materials, wildlife or protected objects from the island.

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Smith Point essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the Australian dollar (AUD). Card and contactless payments may be accepted by many established businesses, but coverage and acceptance can vary between larger services and small operators. Cash remains useful for rural or informal transactions, and visitors should obtain Australian currency in a main settlement rather than assuming that a remote coastal stop will have a cash machine or payment facility. Tell a bank or card provider about travel to Christmas Island if required, and retain a reserve for transport, food and unexpected changes to plans.
Safety
Smith Point is a natural coastal environment rather than a supervised recreation area. Keep away from cliff edges, unstable ground and wave-washed rocks, and do not approach the sea when swell, wind or weather is changing. Tropical rain can make roads and paths slippery, while heat and humidity increase the need for water and sun protection. Mobile reception may be inconsistent away from settlements. Observe wildlife from a distance, avoid entering restricted areas and check local advice before travelling, particularly during wet weather or periods of significant crab movement.
Emergency Situations
Christmas Island uses Australia’s emergency number, 000, for police, fire and ambulance assistance. State the island and provide the clearest available location description, including the access road, nearby landmark or GPS position if known. Do not rely solely on a mobile telephone in remote areas; tell a responsible person where you are going and when you expect to return. For serious incidents, follow instructions from emergency services and local authorities rather than attempting to move an injured person across difficult coastal terrain without guidance.
Do's and Don'ts
Stay on established access routes where they are provided and follow signs, closures and national-park instructions. Do not feed, handle or deliberately obstruct red crabs, seabirds or other wildlife, and take all rubbish away with you. Keep clear of cliffs, mining remnants and rough water, and never cross private or restricted areas without permission. Respect Christmas Island’s multicultural communities and religious sites, dress appropriately when visiting cultural places and ask before photographing people or community activities.
Local Tips
Use Flying Fish Cove as the main base for supplies, information and cultural visits, then plan separate outings to Smith Point and other coastal sites rather than expecting services along the road. Early starts can provide cooler conditions for outdoor exploration, but wildlife activity varies with season and weather. A current island map, drinking water, charged navigation equipment and a torch are sensible additions for independent excursions. Ask locally about road conditions and conservation access before heading towards less frequented parts of the coast.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloSelamat datang[suh-lah-mat dah-tang]
GoodbyeSelamat tinggal[suh-lah-mat ting-gal]
YesYa[yah]
NoTidak[tee-dak]
Please/You're welcomeSilakan[see-lah-kan]
Thank youTerima kasih[teh-ree-mah kah-see]
Excuse me/SorryMaaf[mah-ahf]
How are you?Apa kabar?[ah-pah kah-bar]
Fine. And you?Baik. Dan kamu?[bah-ik. dahn kah-moo]
Do you speak English?Bisa bicara bahasa Inggris?[bee-sah bee-chah-rah bah-hah-sah ing-grees]
I don't understandSaya tidak mengerti[sah-yah tee-dak meng-er-tee]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseSaya ingin melihat menu, silakan[sah-yah in-geen me-lee-hat meh-noo, see-lah-kan]
I don't eat meatSaya tidak makan daging[sah-yah tee-dak mah-kan dah-yang]
Cheers!Selamat minum![suh-lah-mat mee-noom]
I would like to pay, pleaseSaya ingin membayar, silakan[sah-yah in-geen mem-bah-yar, see-lah-kan]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Tolong![toh-long]
Go away!Pergi![per-gee]
Call the Police!Panggil polisi![pahng-geel poh-lee-see]
Call a doctor!Panggil dokter![pahng-geel dawk-ter]
I'm lostSaya tersesat[sah-yah tuhr-suh-saht]
I'm illSaya sakit[sah-yah sah-kit]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Saya ingin membeli...[sah-yah in-geen mem-bel-ee]
I'm just lookingSaya hanya melihat-lihat[sah-yah hun-yah me-lee-hat lee-hat]
How much is it?Berapa harganya?[buh-rah-pah har-gah-nyah]
That's too expensiveItu terlalu mahal[ee-too tehr-lah-loo mah-hal]
Can you lower the price?Bisakah harga diturunkan?[bee-sah-kah har-gah dee-too-roon-kahn]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Pukul berapa sekarang?[poo-kool buh-rah-pah suh-kah-rung]
It's one o'clockSekarang pukul satu[suh-kah-rung poo-kool sah-too]
Half past (10)Setengah (sepuluh)[suh-tuh-ngah (suh-poo-loo)]
MorningPagi[pah-gee]
AfternoonSore[soh-reh]
EveningMalam[mah-lahm]
YesterdayKemarin[kuh-mah-reen]
TodayHari ini[hah-ree ee-nee]
TomorrowBesok[beh-sohk]
1Satu[sah-too]
2Dua[doo-ah]
3Tiga[tee-gah]
4Empat[em-paht]
5Lima[lee-mah]
6Enam[eh-nahm]
7Tujuh[too-joo]
8Delapan[deh-lah-pahn]
9Sembilan[sem-bee-lahn]
10Sepuluh[suh-poo-loo]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Dimana...[dee-mah-nah]
What's the address?Apa alamatnya?[ah-pah ah-lah-maht-nyah]
Can you show me (on the map)?Bisakah kamu tunjukkan (di peta)?[bee-sah-kah kah-moo toon-jook-kahn (dee peh-tah)]
When's the next (bus)?Kapan yang berikutnya (bis)?[kah-pahn yang buh-ree-koot-nyah (bees)]
A ticket (to ....)Satu tiket (ke ....)[sah-too tee-keht (keh ....)]

History of Smith Point

An Uplifted Coral Island

Christmas Island is a raised oceanic island whose limestone landscape developed from coral and marine sediments over geological time before being uplifted above the surrounding sea. This origin explains the island’s steep coastal cliffs, caves, karst features and relatively narrow coastal benches. Smith Point belongs to this broader geological setting, where weathering and wave action continue to shape the exposed coast. Its natural history is therefore inseparable from the island’s position on the edge of the Indian Ocean and its isolation from continental landmasses.

Early Maritime Encounters

European navigators recorded Christmas Island in the seventeenth century, although its distance from major landmasses meant that it had no permanent indigenous population when Europeans arrived. The island’s name dates from its sighting on Christmas Day in 1643 by William Mynors, commander of the East India Company vessel Royal Mary. For centuries it remained remote and lightly visited. The reefs, cliffs and difficult landing places around the island, including the coast near Smith Point, helped preserve its isolation before modern transport and industrial development.

Phosphate and Permanent Settlement

The discovery of commercially valuable phosphate transformed Christmas Island from an isolated maritime landmark into a mined territory. Mining began in the late nineteenth century, and the Christmas Island Phosphate Company established extraction and supporting infrastructure from 1899. Workers were recruited from communities including Malaya, China and other parts of the region, creating the multicultural society that remains central to the island’s identity. Phosphate operations, roads, townships and port facilities altered the island’s landscape, although the steep coast and forest around less accessible sites such as Smith Point remained comparatively wild.

War, Administration and Conservation

Christmas Island was occupied by Japan during the Second World War, a period that brought severe disruption to the mining settlement and its communities. After the war, Australian administration and renewed phosphate production shaped the island’s modern development. Growing recognition of its endemic species and rainforest habitats led to the establishment of Christmas Island National Park in 1980, protecting large areas of the island while allowing carefully managed recreation and essential access. Today, Smith Point is best understood within this conservation landscape, where historic mining, settlement and environmental protection overlap.

Smith Point in Photos

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Cities in Smith Point

The towns and cities of Smith Point, and the easiest places to base yourself.

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Additionally, Evendo features comprehensive guides on the history of Smith Point, essential travel tips, and curated local advice to ensure you experience the destination like a local. The 'Near me' feature allows you to discover what's around you, no matter where you are, ensuring you don't miss any hidden gems. And the best part? The app is 100% free to use, with no in-app purchases or additional costs. Plus, it covers over 7,000 destinations worldwide, making it the perfect travel companion no matter where your adventures take you.

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