Old Settlement Beach

Meet the site

Old Settlement Beach, at the northern end of the lagoon, is where many visitors have their first encounter with a Lord Howe green turtle. Divernet describes it as a snorkel site with turtles, the island's pocket guide notes turtles visible here, and Pinetrees Lodge lists it among the three shore-access snorkelling beaches. The name comes from the island's first settlement site in the 1830s.

The beach is sandy and shallow, with sea grass and patches of coral in the lagoon in front. Green turtles come to graze and can often be seen from the surface with only a mask and snorkel. The sanctuary zone at Sylph's Hole is a short swim away, with coral and McCulloch's anemonefish.

The turtles are the reason to go, and the etiquette is simple: float quietly, keep your distance and let the turtle decide how close to come. Chasing or touching them disturbs their feeding. The lagoon's sand is fine and easily stirred, so keeping fins off the bottom helps visibility.

The site suits snorkellers of all ages and abilities in calm weather and is one of the most family-friendly spots on the island. It is sheltered in the prevailing south-easterlies but can be choppy in northerlies. The water is shallow – a few metres at most – so scuba is not needed, and depths here are estimates. Being inside the lagoon, the beach is best at mid to high tide, when more water covers the flats. Bikes are the usual transport to the beach.

What you might see

Green turtles, lagoon reef fish, sea grass, coral patches; McCulloch's anemonefish at nearby Sylph's Hole

Location

A beach at the northern end of the lagoon, near the airport end of the settlement, known for green turtles grazing in the shallows.

Facilities nearby

Bike parking at the track head; no facilities at the beach – toilets and cafes in the settlement.