Anson Bay is a small, secluded beach between high cliffs on Norfolk's north-west coast. Oceanatik calls it 'Norfolk's most spectacular beach' and describes a shore dive over a sandy bottom that leads to 'a stunning wall, covered in corals', with abundant marine life, a maximum depth of 8 m and visibility of 15–45 m. It rates it beginner-friendly because of the shallow depth.

Norfolk Island's tourism body gives an important counterpoint: despite appearing tranquil, Anson Bay has dangerous undercurrents and is unsuitable for snorkelling. That warning, from the island's official visitor information, outweighs a directory rating, so the site is rated Intermediate here and should be dived only with local guidance and on a genuinely flat day.

The underwater appeal is the combination of clear water, bright sand and a coral wall in very shallow water. Norfolk's shallow reefs are home to surge wrasse, green wrasse, the Norfolk cardinalfish, notch-headed marblefish and other species shared with Lord Howe Island and northern New Zealand, and the wall's corals and sponges add colour. Oceanatik does not list species for Anson Bay specifically.

The beach is reached by a steep track down the cliffs from the reserve at the end of Anson Bay Road, which makes carrying gear hard work, and there are no facilities at the bottom. Above the beach, the reserve and the Anson Bay lookout are worth a visit for the view along the cliffs. It suits competent divers who are comfortable in moving water and who have checked conditions first.

Norfolk Island is about 1,450 km east of Brisbane; flights run from Sydney and Brisbane (about 2.5 h; check the current carrier). A hire car is essential. Anson Bay is on the north-west coast at the end of Anson Bay Road, about 10 minutes' drive west of Burnt Pine.

Park at the reserve at the top of the cliffs; a steep track leads down to the small beach, so carrying scuba gear is hard work. Check conditions with Norfolk Island Diving or the Visitor Information Centre before going – the tourism body warns of dangerous undercurrents.

Anson Bay faces north-west and is sheltered from the prevailing south-east trades, which is why it often looks calm. Norfolk's tourism body nevertheless warns that it has dangerous undercurrents and is unsuitable for snorkelling. North-westerly and westerly swell breaks on the beach and makes entry and exit dangerous.

Only dive with local guidance on a flat day. Visibility is typically 15–45 m.

Only with local guidance on a flat day. Enter from the sand and swim out over the sandy bottom to the coral-covered wall, following it at 5–8 m and staying close to the beach. Exit well before tiring, as undercurrents can make the return harder than expected.

No regular operator; Norfolk Island Diving can advise on conditions and guide shore dives.