South East Rock is the shallower, gentler counterpart to Observatory Rock and is often chosen as the second dive of a Balls Pyramid double. Michael McFadyen, who dived it in May, describes a flat rocky bottom at about 15–20 m with some sand, medium-sized boulders forming small reefs, overhangs and swim-throughs, and gutters floored with large pebbles. Diveplanit's account adds 2–3 m ledges stepping down the slope to about 30 m, with bare patches and crevices scattered throughout.

The rock is covered in surprisingly healthy plate coral for a site this far south, and the overhangs hold painted rock lobsters in numbers. Look closely on the rock for sea spiders and nudibranchs – McFadyen recorded Noumea and Phyllidia species – and on the open bottom for schools of chromis, surgeonfish, sweetlips and snapper. Silver trevally, kingfish and black cod patrol the edges, and a sea turtle is often seen. Galapagos sharks are present here too, though usually in smaller numbers than at Observatory Rock.

The Ballina angelfish and banded angelfish have both been recorded in this area, usually on the deeper ledges. With shallow depths and bottom times of more than 55 minutes possible, this is the site where photographers get time to work the lobsters and the coral in 30 m or more of visibility.

It suits advanced divers comfortable with open-water ascents and possible current. Even so, it is the easier of the Pyramid dives because the flat profile keeps most of the dive between 15 and 20 m, and the corner offers some protection from the prevailing south-east swell when it is dived from the right side. Access depends entirely on calm weather, and the boat usually anchors or runs live with a buoyed line for the descent.

Lord Howe is reached only by air: QantasLink flies from Sydney daily (about 1 h 50 min), with Brisbane and seasonal Port Macquarie services. Accommodation must be booked before flights (visitor numbers are capped at about 400) and the checked-baggage limit is 14 kg, so most divers hire gear on the island. Dive Lord Howe's shop is at 2 Lagoon Road beside the Lagoon Beach boatsheds; most lodges transfer divers or it is a short bike ride.

Divers board the boat, which is moored in the lagoon, and run out of the lagoon through North Passage or Erscott's Passage, then south past Mt Gower and across 23 km of open ocean to Balls Pyramid – about 45–50 minutes each way in good conditions. Trips cannot be pre-booked: register interest when you book other dives and the shop offers seats when weather and numbers line up (package holders get priority). Allow a week on the island to give yourself a realistic chance.

The run to Balls Pyramid crosses unprotected ocean, so the trip goes only on the calmest days – operators and published trip reports put the limit at winds under about 10 knots and swell under 2 m. South-east trades above 15 knots, any sizeable southerly or easterly groundswell, or a winter westerly front cancel it. Currents around the Pyramid are unpredictable and can switch direction during a dive, which is why it is run as a live-boat drift.

Late summer and autumn (February–May) give the most flat days; winter trips are rare. There are no stingers and cyclones are very rare, but ex-tropical lows can bring big swell in summer–autumn.

Descend the boat's anchor or shot to about 15 m on the flat rocky bottom. Work along the medium-sized boulders and the 2–3 m ledges, checking overhangs and swim-throughs for lobsters, then drop down the stepped ledges towards 25–30 m if the current allows. Return up the slope and use the shallow boulder gutters for the last part of the dive.

Ascend on the line or under an SMB with the boat live.

Nitrox extends bottom time on the 20–30 m sections; confirm availability with the shop. Walls drop well past recreational limits – watch depth.

Dive Lord Howe – Balls Pyramid double-dive charters offered only when weather and diver numbers allow (cannot be scheduled in advance); snorkellers carried if space permits; private charters available. Howea Divers also advertises Balls Pyramid dives.