The Christmas Island Tourism Association (08/9164-8382) is definitely the first place you'll want to visit upon arrival. The office will supply you with maps and brochures, suggest itineraries for your stay, and even book fishing, sightseeing, or scuba diving tours for you.

Christmas Island National Park is definitely the most prominent attraction on the island. The park actually covers over 60 percent of the land on the island, about eighty-five square kilometers worth. Much of the flora and fauna found on Christmas Island is indigenous, with the island's remote location ensuring that most species that find their way here, end up staying here. Over two hundred plant species are found here, to go along with over seventy species of birds, and twenty distinct species of crabs. Christmas Island has become known for its crab population, easily earning the title of one of the world's crabbiest places. In particular, the red crab has become the unofficial mascot of the island. Amazingly, over one hundred million of these crabs make their home on Christmas Island. If you are lucky enough to visit during migration season, you will get to witness one of the most fascinating displays on Earth. Each year, the entire red crab population heads to sea to reproduce. The crabs literally overrun the entire island, and the phenomenon has attracted scientists and nature lovers from around the world.

Bird watching is an absolute pleasure on Christmas Island. There are seven bird species indigenous to the island, including the Christmas Island thrush and Christmas Island frigatebird. The tourist office offers detailed checklists so you can identify each of the different birds as you see them.