New South Wales
Diving in Lord Howe Island
Lord Howe is the world's southernmost coral reef, a World Heritage island 600 km east of the mainland with more than 90 coral species, 500 fish species and a mix of tropical and temperate life found nowhere else. The lagoon is shallow and snorkel-friendly; the outer sites, the Admiralty Islets, Erscott's Hole and the Arch, are boat dives in 20–40 m visibility with Galapagos whalers, huge kingfish and endemic doubleheader wrasse. Ball's Pyramid, 23 km south, is a rare-weather expedition dive.
THE LOCAL PLANNING BRIEF
Understand the options around Lord Howe Island
What this regional directory records Counts describe published records, not bookable trips or confirmed open sites.
There are 49 published site records in Lord Howe Island. The recorded categories include reef (22), pinnacle/bommie (10), shore/rock platform (6), island (5). These categories reflect the database; they are not a ranking, a conditions report or an assessment of your suitability.
Use the Lord Howe Island site cards to compare recorded access and depth, then open the individual pages for the map accuracy and source notes. Sites grouped in a region are not necessarily close enough to combine in one day.
Research operators in New South Wales →Ask before booking
- Where does the trip meet, and is parking or a transfer needed?
- Which alternative itinerary might be offered?
- What local park or access information should we check?
Save the answers with the contact name and date. Separate confirmed arrangements from items still waiting for a reply.
Record your trip questions →Questions, answered
How do I choose a dive in Lord Howe Island?
Begin with the individual site and its source notes, then discuss the proposed trip with a local provider. The 49 published records are research options, not a list of trips available today. Match the plan to your training, recent experience and the operator’s current requirements.
When should I visit Lord Howe Island for diving?
Choose dates with a provider who runs the activity you want, then discuss seasonal patterns, recent conditions and alternative itineraries. A generic best-month claim cannot establish the conditions at your exact site or guarantee a wildlife encounter.
Can I use these maps to enter or navigate a dive site?
No. Recorded and approximate map positions support orientation only. Confirm the exact access, permissions, meeting point and route with the responsible local provider or manager.
Regional planning context: Destination NSW — beaches and water activities ↗. Directory counts come from published YouDive records. Individual site claims remain subject to their source and review notes.
Dive sites in this region
Pinnacle/BommieLord Howe Island
Balls Pyramid – Ballina Rock
The best chance of the rare Ballina angelfish, in a boulder field at the foot of a surface-breaking bommie with Galapagos sharks…
Pinnacle/BommieLord Howe Island
Balls Pyramid – Observatory Rock
Drift through 5–8 m rock stacks and caves packed with lobsters, with Galapagos sharks circling on the safety stop and a chance of…
ReefLord Howe Island
Balls Pyramid – South East Rock
Easy-profile Balls Pyramid dive on a boulder and ledge shelf with lobster-filled overhangs and plate coral – long bottom times in…
ReefLord Howe Island
Comet's Hole
The easiest introduction to Lord Howe's fish – a coral-walled lagoon hole packed with endemics.
ReefLord Howe Island
Erscott's Blind
A deep lagoon bowl with a resident group of friendly Galapagos sharks.
ReefLord Howe Island
Erscott's Hole
Coral-walled sanctuary pool in the lagoon – bluefish, doubleheaders and pygmy seahorses in almost any weather.
ReefLord Howe Island
Five Star
A circular deep reef with some of the healthiest, most varied coral at Lord Howe, in 35 m visibility.
ReefLord Howe Island
Liv's Crack
Narrow coral cracks and overhangs with groups of crayfish – an easy-to-navigate structure dive.
Shore/Rock PlatformLord Howe Island
Neds Beach
Knee-deep fish feeding with kingfish and drummer, then coral reef with turtles 30 m from the sand.
ReefLord Howe Island
Noddy Island
One of the best reef dives at Lord Howe – coral-covered boulders and gorgonias in 40 m visibility with kingfish, trevally and…
Shore/Rock PlatformLord Howe Island
North Bay
Secluded lagoon bay with coral, turtles and a 1965 tuna-boat wreck, reached only on foot or by boat.
Pinnacle/BommieLord Howe Island
North Head Bommie
A bommie cut by slits, canyons, craters and porthole openings – photogenic structure with Galapagos sharks in 30 m visibility.
Pinnacle/BommieLord Howe Island
Rupert's Reef
Compact pinnacle packed with Lord Howe endemics – doubleheaders, McCulloch's anemonefish – plus a resident green turtle.
ReefLord Howe Island
Shearwater Island
Shallow finger reefs with hard coral cover rivalling the Great Barrier Reef, 40 m visibility and long bottom times.
ReefLord Howe Island
The Arch (Lord Howe)
A swim-through arch made of coral – unique in NSW – with sweetlips inside and Galapagos sharks around.
Pinnacle/BommieLord Howe Island
Balls Pyramid – Sunken Rock
Deeper Balls Pyramid pinnacle with bommies, gutters and ledges from 12 to 36 m – pelagics, Galapagos sharks and Ballina angelfish.
IslandLord Howe Island
Blackburn Island
Paddle to the lagoon's grassy island, climb for the view and snorkel around its shores.
ReefLord Howe Island
Deacon's Delight
Swim-throughs lined with purple soft coral, fusilier schools and Galapagos sharks.
ReefLord Howe Island
Elizabeth Reef
One of the world's southernmost coral reefs – huge numbers of Galapagos sharks and black cod in a rarely visited marine national…
WreckLord Howe Island
Favourite wreck (North Bay)
Engine, refrigeration piping and steel boxes of a 1965 tuna boat, overgrown with coral in shallow water.
Pinnacle/BommieLord Howe Island
Gower Pinnacle
Deep pinnacle with schooling spangled emperor, huge kingfish and Meredith's and conspicuous angelfish.
ReefLord Howe Island
Malabar
Sheltered north-coast reefs with swim-throughs, arches and anemone fields – Lord Howe's top macro site.
ReefLord Howe Island
Malabar Third Reef
Ledges and caves with lobsters and morays, and sand patches that can hold large groups of black-blotched stingrays.
ReefLord Howe Island
Malabar West
Shallow ledges full of spiny lobsters, octopus and soldierfish – easy, long dive.