Meet the site
Lost Lake East is a reef and wall dive on the stretch of north coast that locals call 'the dog's back', close to the Lost Lake cave system. It is one of the sites described in Diveplanit's series of Christmas Island dive reports, written after diving with Wet'n'Dry Adventures – whose founder, Hama, the author jokes, names sites on the spur of the moment before briefing them on the whiteboard.
The profile runs from a reef top at about 5 m, through a median depth of around 18 m, to 30 m on the wall. It is a consistent example of the island's north-coast drop-offs, with a band of healthy coral in the shallows and a steep face below. Bubble coral, plate and branching hard corals and sponges cover the reef, and the fish life is dense: peacock rockcod and honeycomb rockcod, black-spotted puffers (including the yellow colour form), schools of fusiliers along the wall, butterflyfish, angelfish and triggerfish. Crown-of-thorns starfish were recorded here – a reminder that even remote reefs have them in small numbers. Larger animals appear occasionally, including reef sharks, turtles and, in the wet season, whale sharks.
With no caves to worry about, Lost Lake East is a straightforward wall dive that suits intermediate divers. It is a useful alternative when the swell is too high for the cave entrances nearby but the coast is otherwise diveable, and it is a good place to look for pufferfish and rockcod for photography. As with most north-coast sites it is reliably calm during the south-east trade season.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Lost Lake East is recorded as Wall in Christmas Island. The listed access is boat. 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.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
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 Lost Lake East suitable for my certification?
The record lists Advanced 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 Lost Lake East 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
Peacock rockcod, honeycomb rockcod, black-spotted puffer (including yellow form), fusiliers, butterflyfish, angelfish, triggerfish, bubble coral, crown-of-thorns starfish, reef sharks, turtles, whale sharks (seasonal)
Location
Reef and wall on the north coast ('the dog's back') just east of the Lost Lake cave area.
Facilities nearby
Departs Flying Fish Cove jetty/ramp.
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
diveplanit.comdiveplanit.comdiveplanit.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.