Meet the site
Malabar Landslide is one of three sites Nigel Marsh grouped together – with Sugarloaf and Roach Wall – as dives with 30 m visibility, Galapagos sharks, fusiliers, drummer and rare angelfish. It lies on the north coast beneath Malabar Hill, whose cliffs drop steeply into the sea, and the name suggests a reef formed from rockfall.
The Malabar area is volcanic rock with plateaus, swim-throughs and archways covered in hard corals, anemones and nudibranchs, according to Pro Dive. A landslide site adds jumbled boulders to that picture, creating gaps and overhangs where fish shelter and a rugged profile that attracts schooling fish. Galapagos sharks, fusiliers and drummer are the species Marsh highlights, along with the rare angelfish that Lord Howe is known for – the conspicuous and half-banded angelfish being the usual subtropical specialities.
The dive is a good alternative to the more sheltered Malabar reefs when divers want larger fish, and like the rest of the north coast it is protected from the south-east trades and southerly swell. It closes in northerly weather.
The exact position and depths are not published, so the figures here are taken from the Malabar area generally (10–21 m). It suits Open Water divers in calm conditions. Confirm the details with Dive Lord Howe. Being only about 15 minutes from the lagoon, it can be done as either dive of a morning double.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Malabar Landslide is recorded as Reef 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.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- Lines and obstructions
- Discuss any known entanglement concerns and the suitability of the planned area.
- Water movement
- Ask how swell and local exposure affect the proposed entry, exit and route.
- Overhead environments
- Ask whether the plan stays entirely in open water. A wreck or cave listing is not permission or training to enter.
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 Malabar Landslide 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 Malabar Landslide 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, fusiliers, drummer, conspicuous angelfish, half-banded angelfish, hard corals, reef fish
Location
A boulder reef on Lord Howe's north coast below Malabar Hill, apparently formed by rockfall from the cliffs above.
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
diveplanit.comprodive.com.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.