Snorkelling & Diving Lord Howe Island: A Guide to the World’s Southernmost Coral Reef

It may be a South Pacific island, but you can leave your passport at home for the trip to Lord Howe Island, just 600km east of Port Macquarie.

This untouched paradise is one of only four island groups to make UNESCO’s World Heritage List for the global significance of its natural beauty and heritage. Here, the tiny population of 300 people is devoted to protecting the pristine environment – two wheels are the preferred mode of transportation and visitors are encouraged to only take pictures and leave footprints.

Lord Howe Island is surrounded by Marine Park and with strict fishing restrictions in place, so its reef and marine ecosystems are as pristine as they are plentiful. Which means beneath the surface is a show like no other for snorkellers and divers.

Snorkelling

Lord Howe Island Marine Park is an underwater paradise teeming with colourful fish and coral. All you need to explore the world’s southernmost coral reef is a mask, fins and snorkel – the calm waters right offshore are easily accessible.

The waters surrounding Lord Howe are home to 500 species of fish and 90 coral species. The reef protects a broad sheltered lagoon and sandy beach on the western side of the island, which is the only place in Australia where such diversity of fish, coral, algae and other sea creatures can be seen by snorkelling just a few metres from the beach. You can even see a variety of species of turtle.

Many island operators offer guided snorkelling experiences around the lagoon or on the outer reef, perfect for discovering the diverse marine life of Lord Howe Island. Or you can hire snorkelling gear on the lagoon foreshore for a small contribution to the ‘honesty box’.

Diving

Lord Howe Island may be small, but it has a big reputation among keen divers due to it being home to more than 60 world-class dive sites, most located just a 10 to-20-minute boat ride from shore. Whether you’re a novice or expert diver, there’s a site to suit you – from the sheltered lagoon to the world’s tallest sea stack, Ball’s Pyramid, and everything in between.

Perched at the intersection of five powerful ocean currents, including the warm East Australian Current that sweeps past the Great Barrier Reef before spilling into the Tasman Sea, Lord Howe is a magnet for marine life. Its waters host an incredible mix of tropical, subtropical and temperate species found nowhere else on Earth. Add in an underwater landscape of volcanic drop-offs, mysterious caves and deep ocean trenches, and it’s easy to see why diving here feels like exploring another world.

Lord Howe Island’s premier dive site is Ball’s Pyramid – a must for all experienced divers (an advanced diving certificate is required). The boat ride alone to Ball’s Pyramid, 20km offshore, is an experience – schools of dolphins often come along for the ride, and whale sharks are a common sight.

Standing 572m high, it’s the tallest volcanic stack in the world. The dive sites are slightly deeper at Ball’s Pyramid but offer great variety including caves, amazing corals and drift dives. Expect to see huge schools of fish including Sweep, Amberjack, Kingfish, Rainbow Runners, Trevally and Silver Drummer, the occasional Marlin, dolphins, and Wahoo. Keep an eye out for the rare Ballina Angelfish and prepare to be surrounded by Galapagos Whalers during your safety stop.

Closer to shore is Erscotts Hole, just a five-minute ferry ride inside the lagoon where you can dive amongst incredible marine life in nearly all weather conditions. Known for its excellent visibility and maximum depth of eight metres, Erscotts Hole is home to Bluefish, Double Header Wrasse, Spangled Emperors and Neon Damsels, as well as rare species including the Colemans Pigmy Seahorse, Fosters Hawkfish, Marlin Spike Auger Shells, Spotted Snake Eel and Beaked Leatherjacket.

These are just a taste of what you can experience – Lord Howe offers a smorgasbord of dive sites including Comets Hole, Admiralty Islands, Tenth of June, Ruperts Reef, Deacons Delight and more.

Ready for an underwater adventure? Discover the wonders beneath the waves with Spacifica Travel’s Lord Howe Island holiday packages and tours. Every itinerary can be customised to match your travel style, ensuring a truly personalised experience. Speak with the experts today on 1800 891 735 to start planning your unforgettable island escape.