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
ReefLord Howe Island
Middleton Reef
Remote southernmost coral reef with Galapagos sharks and black cod, and the hulk of the Runic on the reef flat.
WallLord Howe Island
North Rock
Deeper wall with tunnels and cracks through the fringing reef, black coral trees and schooling pelagics.
Shore/Rock PlatformLord Howe Island
Old Settlement Beach
Snorkel with grazing green turtles in shallow water a few metres from the sand.
Pinnacle/BommieLord Howe Island
Phillip Rock
Pinnacle rising from 37 m to 2 m with big schools of kingfish and trevally.
IslandLord Howe Island
Roach Island / Flat Rock
Coral walls, boulders and swim-throughs where the Admiralty Islets meet underwater, with Galapagos sharks and good macro.
IslandLord Howe Island
Sugarloaf (Admiralty Islets)
Coral walls and boulders around the largest Admiralty islet with Galapagos sharks, fusiliers and subtropical angelfish in 30 m…
ReefLord Howe Island
Sylph's Hole
Shore snorkel in a sanctuary zone at the northern end of the lagoon, with turtles and endemic anemonefish.
Pinnacle/BommieLord Howe Island
Tenth of June
Pinnacle and deep plateau with tunnels, swim-throughs and walls – big black cod, Japanese boarfish and gorgonian-covered walls.
WallLord Howe Island
Tenth of June Deep
Deep walls and plateau of Tenth of June with black coral trees, gorgonians and big black cod.
ReefLord Howe Island
Far Rocks
Pocket-guide snorkel site listed for endemic anemonefish and three-striped butterflyfish.
Details need confirmationIslandLord Howe Island
Gower Island
Remote islet beneath Mt Gower at the exposed southern tip of the island.
Details need confirmationShore/Rock PlatformLord Howe Island
Herring Pools
Rock pools on the north-coast walk from North Bay.
Details need confirmationReefLord Howe Island
Horseshoe Reef
Guided lagoon snorkel in the southern sanctuary zone with bright coral.
Details need confirmationReefLord Howe Island
Malabar Landslide
Boulder reef beneath Malabar Hill with Galapagos sharks, fusiliers and rare angelfish in 30 m visibility.
Details need confirmationShore/Rock PlatformLord Howe Island
Middle Beach
Quiet east-coast beach snorkel, an alternative to Neds Beach.
Details need confirmationPinnacle/BommieLord Howe Island
No-Name Rock
Channel-side rock in the Admiralty Islets next to Rupert's Reef.
Details need confirmationReefLord Howe Island
Octopus Garden
Rocky gutters with the endemic island longfin.
Details need confirmationShore/Rock PlatformLord Howe Island
Old Gulch
A rocky north-coast cove on the walk from North Bay, snorkelled on flat days.
Details need confirmationReefLord Howe Island
Pot Holes
Pocket-guide snorkel site listed for bluefish and coral.
Details need confirmationWallLord Howe Island
Roach Wall
Steep coral wall on the Admiralty Islets with Galapagos sharks, fusiliers and rare angelfish in 30 m visibility.
Details need confirmationWreckLord Howe Island
Runic wreck (Middleton Reef)
The fire-blackened hulk of a 13,500-ton ship, landmark of Middleton Reef since 1961.
Details need confirmationIslandLord Howe Island
South Island (Admiralty Islets)
Coral drop-offs and boulders at the southern end of the Admiralty group, good for macro.
Details need confirmationReefLord Howe Island
Stephens Hole
Another of the southern sanctuary zone's coral-ringed lagoon holes.
Details need confirmationPinnacle/BommieLord Howe Island
The Triangle
Deep southern reef paired with Gower Pinnacle – big kingfish, spangled emperor and rare angelfish.
Details need confirmation