Meet the site
Slaughter Bay is Emily Bay's neighbour at Kingston, sharing the same fringing-reef lagoon. Oceanatik describes a sandy bottom and a shallow coral-enveloped reef with abundant marine life, excellent entry and exit points and very protected, sheltered water – 'a very colourful and interesting dive' to a maximum of 6 m. The Marine Life Network describes it as a fringing reef with night dive and snorkel options.
The Norfolk Island tourism body advises visiting at mid to low tide, and signs at the bay mark safe entry points at high tide. Nigel Marsh's description of the two connected bays applies here too: hard coral gardens and sandy patches up to about 4 m, visibility to 20 m, and a fish list that includes surge wrasse, green wrasse, Norfolk cardinalfish, notch-headed marblefish and Lord Howe moray, along with numerous endemic species.
History is close at hand. On 19 March 1790, HMS Sirius, flagship of the First Fleet, was wrecked on the reef off Slaughter Bay while landing stores, and the wreck site lies on the outer reef in the surf zone; it is listed separately. The name Slaughter Bay is thought to date from the convict era. The bay, like Emily Bay, has been a complete no-take area since February 2023, and it lies within the World Heritage-listed Kingston and Arthur's Vale Historic Area.
It suits snorkellers and beginner divers on most days, and it is one of the few sites on Norfolk where a night snorkel is practical. Stay inside the reef crest – the outer reef, where the Sirius lies, is a surf zone and dangerous in anything but flat calm.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Slaughter Bay is recorded as Reef in Norfolk 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.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- 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 Slaughter Bay 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 Slaughter Bay 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
Surge wrasse, green wrasse, Norfolk cardinalfish, notch-headed marblefish, Lord Howe moray, hard corals, reef fish
Location
The bay west of Emily Bay at Kingston, inside the fringing reef, with a sandy bottom and shallow coral reef; the HMS Sirius wreck site lies on the outer reef beyond.
Facilities nearby
Parking at Emily Bay and along Quality Row/Bay Street; toilets, picnic shelters and BBQs at Emily Bay; nearest cafes and shops in Burnt Pine (about 10 minutes' drive).
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
oceanatik.comnorfolkisland.com.aumarinelife.org.aunigelmarshphotography.comaustralianmarineparks.gov.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.