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Like nothing else on Earth: Perched on the sea cliff on the far, uninhabited side of one of Australia's most remote and fascinating islands is hidden a jaw-dropping new eco-lodge. Featuring a floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall glass front opening to an expansive deck that gazes out to sunset over the ocean where seabirds soar past at eye-level, a luxurious Italian-tiled ensuite bathroom and hot shower with a view into the jungle greenery, king size bed, stone bench tops, glass sculptures, canvas-side walls with expansive zip-down meshed windows, ceiling fan and more... Every piece of this remarkable, solar-powered wilderness escape has been carefully carried in and assembled by hand in the middle of one of Australia’s most amazing National Parks. Swell Lodge has been awarded Ecotourism Australia's highest level of certification 'Advanced Ecotourism' as well as a 'Climate Action Business' reserved for exemplary operators for our ecological sustainability, natural area management and provision of authentic experiences, which, together with our included carbon-offset program allows you to fall sleep to the peaceful sound of the swell, completely guilt-free.
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We agree with all the endorsements in previous reviews: stunning location, challenging and interesting day trips, sublime swimming and snorkelling opportunities, beautifully prepared food from wonderful, often local ingredients, and more. In addition, the personal touches added by super informative guides Nina and Holly and master chef Patrice made this a truly memorable experience.
A few tips for new players though: make sure your device has a good Wifi connection or make sure you are shown how to connect with management via the phone in the chalet just in case the water pump or generator fail temporarily. Management resides off-site and the drive from base to the lodge takes about 1/2 hour, partly through the rainforest. So you are on your own out there which is both wonderful as well as possibly troubling!
Housekeeping is only 2x per week which we felt should be increased to 3x, even though we appreciate that labour costs are high on the island. This is surely off-set by the high daily rate.
All in all. a thoroughly worthwhile experience which we would recommend to the reasonably fit, particularly in these troubled Covid times. You are overseas, yet still in Oz and since you're outside the Oz customs zone you can pick up some low-cost booze at the main super market too.
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Date of stay: July 2021
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip:Â There are only 2 chalets, both in the rainforest close to a cliff. Superb location. seabirds can...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Really the only up market place to stay (and eat!) and Christmas Island. Great for those that like some solitude and be immersed in the national park. The sound of the waves breaking is all you will hear. The permanent tent/chalet is very comfortable and there is solar power and hot water and internet connection (no phones here). The location in the National Park is very remote, so you need to make sure you have everything you need with you. Literally there are simply two cabins (ie no reception). Quite an interesting business model. Your personal chef, Issy, will cook amazing dinner for you, which is truly world class. For breakfast you have cereal, fruit and yoghurt and during the day you are ‘out on tour’ with a picnic lunch. Donna, Hayley and Kyle were great guides and I feel I really got to experience the island. Highlights were the Blowholes, swimming with the trevally and sadly seeing the terrible plastics on Greta Beach. I would recommend Swell Lodge to those who have been remote before. There is no ‘room service’ or room cleaning/bed making etc, however it is a great experience and you will truly feel a connection with nature. I should point out there are no decent restaurants on Christmas Island. The supermarket shelves are bare, yet Issy managed to provide city slicker dinners for which I was grateful.
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:Â Bring everything you need with you, ie books, iPad etc, there is no TV or DVD player (or...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I just fell in love with this place. From the moment the staff collected us from the airport to the moment we said goodbye, our week on Christmas Island was an absolute privilege. Swell Lodge is truly the most amazing place to stay, right on the coast on the edge of the rainforest. The guides - Hayley and Kyle - and the chef Issy were just awesome - friendly, knowledgeable and always looking to make our stay even better. I would normally never spend this much on a holiday but have zero regrets. If you're going to make the most of travelling to such a remote place with limited tourist infrastructure, spending the extra to stay at Swell Lodge is absolutely worthwhile. The island is stunningly beautiful. I want to go back! Thank you Swell Lodge for the holiday of a lifetime.
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Date of stay: October 2022
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Â Both of the lodges are beautiful.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had a wonderful week at Swell Lodge. We had never been to Christmas Island before and so really didn't know what to expect. The location of the Lodge is extraordinary, looking out directly across the bay with waves crashing on the reef below, seabirds swooping past the deck, and pods of spinner dolphins jumping past in the ocean. The staff were exceptional with Hayley or Victoria picking us up each morning for guided tours of the island, or dropping us at our diving pickup point on the days we were diving. They were endlessly helpful, knowleable and great company on our guided walks to remote beaches and waterfalls, which we loved. John, the chef who cooked us remarkable 3 course meals each evening in our room, just for us, was amazing! The food was outstanding. Lunch was either gourmet picnic lunches prepared by John, or on a couple of days, we ate in local diners so we could sample the local Malay cuisine which was excellent. All of this was included, as well as shopping at the local supermarket where we were able to select our own snacks of choice as well as wines from a remarkably good selection of Australian and imported wines. The only extras we paid for was diving (which was fantastic on pristine reefs) and a wonderful massage on our deck, all of which were organised by Swell. Excellent snorkelling was available in Flying Fish Cove where we were dropped by Hayley or Victoria, and you could snorkel straight off the jetty. The birdlife on the island was wonderful and the different varieties of crabs that were everywhere were nothing like we had ever seen. All in all, for those who love nature combined with outstanding service and catering, Swell is certainly somewhere we would recommend.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Manager Swell Lodge, General Manager at Swell Lodge
Responded 12 Sept 2023
Thankyou for the review, we enjoyed having you stay with us and hope to see you again in the future!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A few special occasions to celebrate found us lucky enough to stay at Swell Lodge. What a special place. The location (in the National Park) is fantastic- secluded and immersed in the forest but perched on the coast. The eco tent was unique for us, having never stayed in one before. It was really comfortable and really well appointed. The bed was super comfortable with great linen and perfectly positioned to take in the ocean views. Actually the entire set up was really well thought out to maximise space and aesthetic. Good bathroom with hot water and eco products. Meals were 10/10. Lots of variety of delicious, healthy and locally flavoured foods. Francois, the chef and all round great guy, is such a gem. We enjoyed both his food ethos and his company. The activity schedule was also 10/10- we had great days on the water, on the land and at the lodge. A good mix of down time and active time. Jess was super, organising everything as well as individualising a program for us. We were fortunate to coincide with the red crab migration for our last few days which was really the icing on the cake. Swell is a unique place and encompasses so much more than just a place to sleep- it's a total experience. It has stimulated our appetite to spend more time on Christmas Island. Thanks to all. What a delight.
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Date of stay: October 2020
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are only 2 cabins and nothing else right in the middle of Christmas Island National Park. After being dropped off from our activities, we were completely alone. Our tented cabin had everything you needed - and it was so luxurious!! Each evening our wonderful French chef Patrice would arrive and serve us the most magnificent 3 course dinners, drop off our fruit salad and yoghurt breakfast...and lunch times he had prepared the most amazing picnic lunches. The views were magnificent and the sound of the waves and 'swells' were something to help you fall asleep!! You walked down this path to your cabin surrounded by nature and so many crabs of many colours!!! Special thank you to Nina and Annabel who showed us the island and had wonderful knowledge of the history
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Date of stay: May 2021
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Â only 2 cabins that are similar and most fantastic!!!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The location is breathtaking (but be warned, a long way away from anything apart from the chalet next door and the noise of the waves crashing on the rocks just a few meters away from your window can be somewhat insistent) and the whole concept truly remarkable. The jungle, the crabs, bird life, fish and turtles are amazing. The guides (Nina) and the chef (Patrice) are so friendly and informative. The food (there’s a lot of it) is delicious. We couldn’t recommend it more highly. We had a great time.
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Date of stay: August 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Some of the walks could be challenging if you have mobility issues. Buy your duty free on island,...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am stunned and so thankful choosing Christmas Island as a travel destination. The annual Red Crab migration , the unforgettable dives , the wild and unique landscape , the amazing people and our Stay at Swell Lodge made this trip unforgettable. I can truly say it was one of the most beautiful places I've ever stayed with the million dollar view and a fantastic dinner, prepared by our personal Chef Simon , thank you very much again, it was delicious !!! Thank you very much Swell Lodge, you made our trip unforgettable!!!
Lots of Love from Hamburg, Germany
Alina & Uli
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Date of stay: December 2019
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip:Â best view , pure luxury, remote, spacious , fantastic bed, unique, beautiful bathroom,
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed at the lodge for 3 nights for our anniversary and had the best time from the moment we arrived. We loved waking up to the sound of the waves and the birdlife flying over the ocean. What a world class view. The eco-tent was perfect, comfortable with everything supplied. Having Issy (chef) come to our lodge each night to cook us up a scrumptious 3 course meal was pure luxury. The food was delicious. Getting taken around the island each day by Hayley and Kyle was such an adventure. The island has so many breathtaking sights to see. We loved experiencing seeing the wilderness, stunning coastline and wildlife on the island. The snorkelling off the main beach was fantastic especially when we found out that there was a drop to snorkel off, that was sensational. It's worth every cent for such a special location and experience. Thanks Swell Lodge for helping to create some amazing memories.
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Date of stay: August 2022
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A whole week of luxury with everything provided from fantastic accommodation and food ( made each day by our wonderful Chef Francois ) to drinks with a view. Jess our guide drove us all over the island where we had picnics in some great spots, snorkelled in the Cove, swam in the Grotto and had a lovely boat trip with Dan to snorkel again and feed the giant Trevelly. Combine with a week on the Cocos and you can't go wrong.
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Date of stay: November 2020
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Christmas Island area.
LOCATION
AustraliaChristmas Island
NUMBER OF ROOMS
2
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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