Cemetery Bay is the small bay at the eastern end of Kingston, named for the historic convict-era cemetery that sits above it. Norfolk Island's tourism body lists 'Cemetery Bay & Bumboras' among its top snorkelling sites, with the best conditions at mid to high tide when the water is calm; Bumboras is the adjacent stretch of coast and reserve to the east.

The bay has a reef close to shore and the same Norfolk reef fauna that makes Emily Bay popular – wrasses, cardinalfish, marblefish, morays and a range of subtropical reef fish. It is less sheltered than Emily Bay because it lies outside the main Kingston lagoon and faces the prevailing south-east trades, so the tide and swell matter more here.

The bay's management under the Norfolk Marine Park differs from its neighbours. From February 2023, Cemetery Bay became a no-take area for echinoderms – sea urchins, sea cucumbers and sea stars – while finfish fishing remains permitted; Emily and Slaughter Bays became complete no-take areas at the same time. The rules support herbivores that control algal growth on the reef, which has been under pressure from run-off.

It suits competent snorkellers on calm days at the right tide, and is a quieter alternative to Emily Bay. The historic cemetery, with headstones dating from the convict settlements, is worth a walk before or after. Check conditions with the Visitor Information Centre, as the beach is unpatrolled and can have surf. Depth fields are estimates or left blank.

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. Cemetery Bay is at the eastern end of Kingston beside the historic cemetery, about 10 minutes' drive from Burnt Pine.

Park at the cemetery or beach car park and walk a few metres to the sand. Hire snorkel gear and get a same-day conditions report from the Visitor Information Centre in Burnt Pine.

Cemetery Bay faces south-east and is more exposed than Emily Bay, taking the prevailing south-east trades and southerly swell. The tourism body advises snorkelling at mid to high tide when the water is calm. Avoid it when a south-east swell is breaking on the reef or when surf is running onto the beach.

Visibility is typically 10–20 m. It is unpatrolled.

Enter from the beach at mid to high tide on a calm day and snorkel over the reef close to shore, staying well inside any breaking water.

No operator needed – independent snorkel or shore dive. Snorkel gear hire from the Visitor Information Centre in Burnt Pine (same-day condition reports); glass-bottom boat tours of the lagoon; Norfolk Island Diving can arrange guided shore dives and air.