Christmas Island Red Crab Migration

What is the Christmas Island Red Crab Migration?

The huge migration of red crabs on Christmas Island is one of the Earth's most amazing natural phenomena and has to be seen to be believed.

Every year, millions of large crabs emerge from the forest and make their way to the ocean to breed. The migration begins with the first rainfall of the wet season which sees the crabs swarm across roads, streams, rocks and beaches.

This natural event is Christmas Island’s biggest tourist attraction, and each year draws hundreds of nature-lovers from all over the world to witness it in person.

It is a truly spectacular sight that even world-famous naturalist Sir David Attenborough called one of his greatest TV moments.

Need to know

To watch the migration and spawning head to Drumsite, Flying Fish Cove, Ethel Beach and Greta Beach. In order to protect the crabs, some sections of roads may close for part or all of the day during the peak migration time. Crab bridges are also built over the roads which can serve as great viewing platforms to stand and watch the flow of crabs.

Did you know?

There are 14 species of land crabs found on Christmas Island, with the red crab being its most striking inhabitant. Christmas Island red crabs grow very slowly. It takes them 4-5 years to become fully mature and reach their full size of 40mm in carapace width.

For more information on this fascinating event, click on the link provided on this page. Don't forget to rate and review it right here and share your experience with the GoWhereWhen.com community!

*Please note - possible spawning dates for 2023 are 8-10 November and 8-9 December, then 7-8 January, 2024.

Coronavirus is causing a number of event cancellations; we provide event website links on each page for you to check the latest updates.

See our Coronavirus page here.