Christmas Island Photography Tour – 2024
Seeking expressions of interest for photographers keen to join us on the 2024 Christmas Island Photography Tour!
Dates: June 2024 (8 days)
Led by: Seng Mah
6 – 8 guests (a minimum of 6 guests is required for this tour to run).
Surrounded by the vibrant aquamarine waters of the Indian Ocean and crowned by rainforest brimming with endemic birdlife and wildlife, Christmas Island beckons!
Imagine rugged coastlines, sandy beaches, thick rainforests ripe for photography. Swim in crystal clear waters teeming with coral reef and marine life. Discover rare and unique birdlife. Explore and connect with communities steeped in island Malay and Chinese traditions. And taste mouth-watering local cuisine – characterised by a fusion of flavours from Malay and Chinese origins.
All this and more can be yours to experience as a photographer on Christmas Island Photography Tour!
The photographic opportunities will surprise and delight: sunrise and sunset landscape photography to capture the brilliant hues, soft moods and dramatic island light; jungle walks in search of wildlife and waterfalls; coves and lagoons that shimmer in and reflect the colours of the sky.
The tour includes all accommodation, land transport, island exploration activities and photographic guidance at some of the most visually stunning locales on both islands.
This tour combines photography with all the fun and joie de vivre of a tropical island holiday. You’ll find yourself shooting beautiful light at sunrise and sunset at beautiful island coves, beaches and lagoons, exploring rainforest trails, chasing waterfalls deep in the forest, discovering island traditions and so much more.
Tour Highlights
8 days (7 nights) on Christmas Island.
Circled by the vivid blues of the Indian Ocean, Christmas Island is the perfect island destination for photographers yearning to get back to nature. The island is covered in rainforest teeming with wildlife, and edged by limestone formations that create spectacular vistas overlooking rugged coves and coastlines.
Your experience of Christmas Island begins with a spectacular sunset shoot at the Lookout, followed by a welcome dinner to kick off our island adventure experience!
As this tour is all about photography, sunrises and sunsets will be dedicated to shooting the stunning coastal landscapes and environments on Christmas Island. You will be chasing light at amazing locations including The Cove, Lily Beach, Ethel Beach, Dolly Beach and Greta Beach. Many of these beaches feature amazing cliffs and outcrops that help frame the vivid colours of sunrises and sunsets.
The rainforest, with its lush canopies and hanging vines and lianas provide the ideal escape from the tropical sun. You will spend time exploring jungle trails and embarking on treks to find and photograph beautiful waterfalls and cascades.
You cannot visit Christmas Island without photographing the endemic birdlife, including brown boobies, bosun birds and frigates. And on the ground, you will find the crabs that make Christmas Island so special — including massive robber crabs and red crabs.
Inclusions
- All accommodation during the tour (7 nights Christmas Island))
- Transport (AWD vehicles)
- Welcome dinner at Christmas Island.
- Photography instruction and support during the tour by Seng Mah.
Exclusions
- Return airfares departing Perth, Western Australia.
- Travel insurance (you are required to take travel insurance for this tour due to potential changes in flights due to weather conditions).
- Meals not listed in “Inclusions” above.
- Drinks, including alcoholic beverages.
- Photographic equipment (you will need to supply your own photographic equipment to participate in this tour).
- Any transport and activities outside of the tour itinerary.
- Personal expenses, including laundry, wifi, medication, snacks etc.
Cocos Keeling Islands Extension (Optional)
You can also opt for a 4 or 8 day extension on Cocos Keeling Islands (staying on West Island). Enjoy a holiday experience swimming in tropical lagoons, exploring outer islands and walking on sandy beaches framed by coconut palms.
This optional extension is offered by Indian Ocean Experiences, our booking agent, and you can add this to cap off your visit to the Indian Ocean Island Territories.
Your time at Cocos Keeling Islands includes a day on Home Island, home of the Cocos Malay people. With our local Home Island guide, Shak Keegan, you will spend time with local Cocos Malay families, learning about their lifestyles and crafts (for some documentary/portrait photography) and enjoying delicious and authentic Cocos Malay cuisine.
Fitness and mobility
A medium level of fitness is required to participate in this tour. There will be hikes and walks on unsealed trails, including uphill and downhill walks on Christmas Island. A reasonable level of fitness is also required to take part in swimming and snorkelling activities on both island destinations. Good mobility and good balance is essential for this tour.
Please also note that restaurants on both island destinations may not be able to cater for specific dietary requirements and/or allergies. Seafood (fish) features large in island cuisine, as does rice and coconut-based sauces. If you have specific dietary or nutritional needs, please contact us first to discuss before signing up for this tour. (Note that you are able to bring food from Perth to Christmas Island and Cocos Keeling Islands — but will need to declare food on arrival).
Island meals and drinks
Christmas Island and Cocos Keeling Islands do not have their own food production facilities — in other words, all food needs to be shipped to the islands from mainland Australia. Hence, you may find that the cost of some meals are a little more expensive than on the Australian mainland. However, the islands are duty free, so alcoholic beverages are often cheaper than on the mainland.
Tour pricing
- Please contact us using the form below to be informed when tour pricing is available.
Reserve your place
A deposit of AUD$1500 will secure you a place on this tour. This deposit is refundable if the tour is cancelled by the organiser (we require a minimum of 6 guests to run this tour).
For details of the Terms and Conditions of our tours, including cancellation charges and our Covid-19 policy, please read our Photography Tours Terms and Conditions.
To register your expression of interest, please use the form below or email seng [at] venturephotography.com.au or telephone 0417 604 614.