Christmas Island

Christmas Island is an Australian territory, just beneath Java, Indonesia in the Indian Ocean. A massive national park encompasses most of this naturally idyllic island, home to the magnificent and famous migration of red crabs and huge spans of rainforest. There are caves, waterfalls, wetlands and more to explore along winding and well-maintained hiking routes. One of the most popular is The Dales route which takes in the mystical Hugh’s Dale Waterfall. You’ll need some sturdy shoes, a hat and some water, but that’s about all you need to access this spot of unspoiled natural beauty. Keep your eyes peeled for coconut crabs.

In fact, Christmas Island is teeming with crabs of all kinds, both above and below the water. Surrounded almost entirely by coral reefs and diving reefs, there is much underwater exploration to be had. The aptly named Flying Fish Cove is a hotspot for divers and there are lots of different tours you can take for divers of all skill levels. Of course, with an awesome coast comes awesome beaches. There are dozens on Christmas Island, including great beaches for the whole family, those who want some secluded peace, or for those who are keen on spotting some crazy crabs.