Meet the site
Kingston Pier is the historic landing place of Norfolk Island, a convict-built stone pier at the western end of Slaughter Bay within the Kingston and Arthur's Vale Historic Area. It is one of only two places on the island where boats can be put in the water – by crane – and so it is the departure point for dives to Nepean Island and Phillip Island and for local fishing boats.
The pier is also a shore dive in its own right. Oceanatik lists a 'Cascade Pier 1' that it describes as 'the Pier separating Emily Bay from Slaughter Bay', with a maximum depth of 12 m, visibility of 10–30 m, shore entry with multiple access points and 'a little bit of everything' – reef, wall and coral – suitable for beginners. The description matches the Kingston side of the island rather than Cascade, so it is treated here as Kingston Pier. Nigel Marsh notes that fishing boats have fed Galapagos sharks at Kingston jetty, and local divers report sharks around the pier.
The mixed habitat around a pier – rubble, stone walls, reef and sand – attracts a good range of fish. Norfolk's reef fish include surge wrasse, green wrasse, Norfolk cardinalfish and notch-headed marblefish in the Kingston bays, and kingfish and trevally around the structure.
The pier is a working harbour. Divers must stay clear of crane and boat operations and check with the pier staff or the dive operator before entering. It suits Open Water divers on calm days with the south-easterly down. The historic area around the pier, a World Heritage-listed convict site, is worth exploring after the dive.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Kingston Pier is recorded as Jetty/Pier in Norfolk Island. The listed access is shore. 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.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- 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 Kingston Pier suitable for my certification?
The record lists Open Water. 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 Kingston Pier 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
Galapagos sharks (around the pier), kingfish, trevally, surge wrasse, green wrasse, Norfolk cardinalfish, notch-headed marblefish, corals
Location
The historic stone pier at Kingston on the south coast, at the western end of Slaughter Bay, from which dive and fishing boats are craned into the water.
Facilities nearby
Parking at the pier; toilets at Kingston and Emily Bay; departure point for Norfolk Island Diving's crane-launched boat.
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
oceanatik.comnigelmarshphotography.comnorfolkisland.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.