Last updated: June 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors to West Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The UV Index provides essential information about the potential for skin damage from the sun's rays, helping to prevent sunburn and protect long-term skin health. Given the island's tropical climate and high UV exposure, particularly between 10 AM and 2 PM when levels peak at 10, awareness of these risks becomes even more vital. By staying informed about UV levels, you can enjoy the beautiful outdoors while maintaining your health and safety.
As the sun rises, the UV Index starts off at a gentle 1 at 07:00, making it a safe time to enjoy outdoor activities. However, as the morning progresses, the index climbs sharply, reaching 3 by 08:00 and hitting 6 by 09:00. The peak exposure occurs from 11:00 to 12:00, where it reaches its maximum of 10, indicating a high risk for harm from unprotected sun exposure. By the afternoon, a gradual decline begins: 8 at 13:00, followed by 5 at 14:00, before tapering off to 3 at 15:00. As the day winds down, UV levels decrease to 1 by 16:00 and drop to 0 after 18:00, making late evening a soothing time to relax outdoors without sun concerns. Always remember to protect your skin during those peak hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 10:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 15:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index experiences seasonal variations, with the highest readings occurring from January to November, consistently categorized as extreme exposure, resulting in a rapid burn time of just 10 minutes. Notably, February and November see peak values of 16, indicating particularly high risk during these months. As the summer months approach, the UV Index slightly decreases, reaching 10 in June, yet stays within the very high category. However, July and August return to extreme levels, reminding us that protection is essential year-round. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take precautions against UV exposure, such as wearing protective clothing, applying broad-spectrum sunscreen, and seeking shade, especially during peak index months of January, February, and November.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Island | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 |