Meet the site
Michael McFadyen rates Noddy Island among 'the top couple' of dives he did at Lord Howe, and it is easy to see why. Noddy Island is a small islet about 100 m long and 40 m wide lying south-west of Sugarloaf, the largest of the Admiralty Islets. The reef runs along its northern side and a little way around the western end, dropping from the island to sand at about 20 m, with a scatter of boulders beyond the reef edge that give the dive most of its interest.
The standout feature is the coral. McFadyen notes that 'all the rocks are covered in hard coral' and that there are lots of very nice gorgonias, which is remarkable at 31.5 degrees south. The boulders create gaps and overhangs where eels and firefish shelter, and nudibranchs are common on the rock. Fish life is dense: kingfish and trevally cruise the reef edge, one-spot pullers swarm over the coral, and there are plenty of butterflyfish and other tropical reef fish. Nigel Marsh, writing about 'Noddy Reef', describes a wall with grey morays, kingfish, blue drummer, Galapagos sharks, half-banded angelfish and conspicuous angelfish – the latter two being signature subtropical species of the region.
McFadyen recorded 21.9°C and at least 40 m visibility in May, and a bottom time of around 60 minutes is easy because the maximum depth is only 20 m. The dive is suitable for Open Water divers when the sea is calm, and for photographers it offers both wide-angle coral scenes and macro subjects.
The usual route heads west along the reef, turns south around the western end, and comes back along the island in shallower water. It is a sheltered dive in southerly weather and exposed in north-easterlies.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Noddy Island 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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 Noddy Island 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 Noddy Island 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
Hard corals, gorgonians, kingfish, trevally, one-spot pullers, butterflyfish, firefish, eels, grey morays, Galapagos sharks, blue drummer, half-banded angelfish, conspicuous angelfish, nudibranchs
Location
A narrow rocky reef along the northern side and western end of Noddy Island, south-west of Sugarloaf Island in the Admiralty Islets.
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
michaelmcfadyenscuba.infodiveplanit.comprodive.com.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.