Meet the site
Pro Dive groups Gower Pinnacle and The Triangle together as a pair of deep sites off the southern end of the island. Its description is of a plateau starting at 20 m, an escarpment, a platform at about 32 m and rocky canyons past 40 m. It is one of the deepest regular dives at Lord Howe and one of the most exposed.
The attraction is big fish. Pro Dive's dive account records sharks, a school of about 30 spangled emperor and three huge kingfish, estimated at five to six feet, that followed the divers throughout the dive. Kingfish grow large at Lord Howe because the island has been protected for decades, and the southern pinnacles, where the current runs past Mt Gower, are where they gather.
The reef itself carries black coral trees on the escarpment and holds two of the most sought-after angelfish in the region: the Meredith's angelfish and the conspicuous angelfish, both subtropical species with restricted ranges. High-fin coralfish are also recorded. Divers who enjoy fish-watching will find this one of the richest sites on the island.
This is a deep dive and requires deep training and experience. The plateau at 20 m is a good depth for those who want to stay shallower, while the platform at 32 m and the canyons below are for divers with the right certification and gas planning. The southern end of the island is exposed to the south-east trades and southerly swell, so trips here are made only on calm days, and the run is longer than for most sites. Coordinates are approximate.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Gower Pinnacle is recorded as Pinnacle/Bommie in Lord Howe Island. The listed access is boat (day trip). Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Topics flagged by the stored research
These are questions prompted by the existing notes, not a verified or complete hazard assessment.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
- Water movement
- Ask how swell and local exposure affect the proposed entry, exit and route.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is Gower Pinnacle suitable for my certification?
The record lists Deep/Advanced + experience. That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book Gower Pinnacle through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
Kingfish (very large), spangled emperor (schools of ~30), sharks, Meredith's angelfish, conspicuous angelfish, high-fin coralfish, black coral trees
Location
A pinnacle and plateau off the southern end of Lord Howe below Mt Gower, with a platform starting at 20 m, an escarpment to about 32 m and rocky canyons past 40 m.
Facilities nearby
Departure from the Lagoon Road boatsheds.
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
prodive.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.