Following a relatively short stop over in Christmas Island the fleet are currently sailing towards Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
An unspoilt and idyllic paradise, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands are a tiny group of coral islands that form two atolls with only two of the 27 islands inhabited. This tiny horseshoe shaped jewel lies right in the middle of the Indian Ocean, 2750 km north-west of Perth and 900 km west southwest of Christmas Island, its closest neighbour and another island of the Australian Indian Ocean Territories.
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands were occupied by the Clunies-Ross family in 1827, who established and developed coconut plantations throughout the islands. With them they brought labourers from Africa, China, Java, Borneo and Malacca, a group who now form the Malay community on the Islands.
The World ARC anchorage will be at the stunning and safe 'Port Refuge' on Direction Island, found at the NE corner of South Atoll, and the only place where visiting yachts are permitted to anchor in Cocos (Keeling) Islands. It is a stunning stop with beautiful clear water, waving palm trees, a mile of sandy beach. There are also shelters on the on the Island where cruisers get together to cook supper, drink, and exchange tales.
1.5NM south of the Direction Island anchorage, Home Island has a population of approximately 400 Cocos Malay. Here the Muslim faith is strictly observed and the local dialect of Malay is spoken.
4.5NM west of the Direction Island anchorage lies West Island were the culture is predominately ‘Australian’ and has a population of approximately 150. West Island has a developing tourism industry as well as being the administrative centre for the Islands.
Excellent infrastructure can be seen throughout the islands, good Wifi is available throughout the islands, there are excellent roads and a fantastic ferry service connects the three main islands.
The fleet will be anchored in Cocos until the restart to Mauritius on the 28th.