Christmas Island is an Australian external territory in the Indian Ocean, a jungle-covered volcanic peak rising from deep water that intercepts powerful Indian Ocean swells. The island's reef breaks are world-class but rarely surfed, with waves breaking over coral shelves along its rugged coastline. The best swells arrive from the south and southwest between April and October. Water temperatures hover around 27-29C year-round. The island is famous for the annual migration of millions of red crabs, and its pristine rainforests, endemic wildlife, and dramatic sea cliffs make it one of the most visually extraordinary places in the Indian Ocean.