Meet the site
Sugarloaf is the largest of the seven Admiralty Islets and a landmark for the northern dive sites – McFadyen locates Noddy and Shearwater islands by reference to it. Nigel Marsh grouped it with Malabar Landslide and Roach Wall as dives with 30 m visibility, Galapagos sharks, fusiliers, drummer and rare angelfish, and Diveplanit's survey of the Admiralty Islands describes steep drop-offs presented as walls of coral, bommies and large boulders, with swim-throughs where the islands meet below the surface.
Around Sugarloaf that means a mix of steep rock faces and boulder slopes dropping to sand in the 20s and deeper on the exposed side. The rock carries hard coral and gorgonian fans, and the boulders give shelter to morays, lionfish (including juveniles), tasselled flathead and painted morwong. Blue nudibranchs and dusky hydroids are among the macro life Diveplanit recorded around the islets.
The open-water side is where the bigger fish are. Galapagos sharks patrol the edges, fusiliers stream past in the current, and drummer school in the surge zone. The 'rare angelfish' Marsh mentions are the subtropical species that Lord Howe is known for, such as the conspicuous and half-banded angelfish.
The dive varies a lot with the side chosen and the conditions, from a sheltered boulder slope to an exposed wall. Operators pick the side in the lee on the day. It suits Open Water divers on calm days and is better for Advanced divers when there is current or when the wall side is dived. Being only about 20 minutes from the lagoon, it is a regular part of the Admiralty rotation.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Sugarloaf (Admiralty Islets) is recorded as Island 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.
- 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 Sugarloaf (Admiralty Islets) 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 Sugarloaf (Admiralty Islets) 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, kingfish, trevally, morays, lionfish, tasselled flathead, painted morwong, nudibranchs, gorgonian fans, hard corals
Location
Walls and boulder reef around Sugarloaf Island, the largest of the Admiralty Islets off the north-east tip of Lord Howe.
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.comdiveplanit.commichaelmcfadyenscuba.infomichaelmcfadyenscuba.infoRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.