Activated carbon was prepared from an agricultural waste, coconut coir, and its characteristics were compared with that of a commercial bituminous coal-based activated carbon. The activated carbon possessed higher surface area, micropore area, micropore volume and average pore diameter, and well-developed meso- and micropores. Batch test on adsorption of chromium(VI) by the coconut coir activated carbon showed that the extent of chromium(VI) adsorption was dependent on chromium(VI) concentration, contact time, pH and activated carbon dose. Maximum adsorption occurred at pH 1.0-2.0 and equilibrium adsorption was attained in 2.5 h. Chromium(VI) adsorption followed pseudo second-order kinetics. Equilibrium chromium(VI) adsorption data for the coconut coir activated carbon and the commercial activated carbon were described by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models and indicated higher chromium(VI) adsorption capacity of the coconut coir activated carbon. Chromium(VI) adsorption capacity of the coconut coir activated carbon was compared with that of activated carbon prepared from different waste material and bituminous coal. The coconut coir activated carbon showed high limiting capacity for adsorption of chromium(VI). Coconut coir activated carbon is a suitable substitute for commercial activated carbon in the adsorptive removal of chromium(VI) from water. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011.