Meet the site
Old Gulch is a rocky cove on the north coast of Lord Howe, reached by a short walk from North Bay. Lord Howe's tourism material mentions short walks from North Bay to Old Gulch, and the island's snorkel operators include the walk on North Bay trips – Marine Adventures offers a walk to Old Gulch or Mt Eliza with a snorkel on the Favourite.
The north coast of Lord Howe is volcanic, and the cove is a boulder beach with rock faces on either side, looking north towards the Admiralty Islets. When the sea is flat, the rocky edges of the cove offer snorkelling over boulders and rock with reef fish; the nearby dive sites on this coast, such as Malabar and North Head, show how rich the marine life can be, with McCulloch's anemonefish, doubleheader wrasse, kingfish and turtles.
The main consideration is safety. Old Gulch faces north and is exposed to any northerly swell, and entering and exiting over boulders is awkward. Snorkellers should go only on a calm day, preferably with a guide, and stay close to the exit. There are no facilities and it is a walk back to North Bay.
For most visitors, Old Gulch is part of a North Bay day – a scenic walk with the option of a swim – rather than a destination dive. It suits experienced snorkellers in calm conditions. The sanctuary zone status should be checked on the marine park map. The Herring Pools nearby, previously grouped with Old Gulch, are listed as a separate entry.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Old Gulch is recorded as Shore/Rock Platform in Lord Howe 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.
- 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 Old Gulch suitable for my certification?
The record lists Snorkel/Any. 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 Old Gulch 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
Reef fish on boulders and rock; not specifically documented
Location
A boulder beach and rocky cove on Lord Howe's north coast, reached by a short walk from North Bay.
Facilities nearby
None; nearest facilities at North Bay.
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
lordhoweisland-australia.comlordhoweisland.infoislandercruises.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.