Five Star is a deep coral reef off the south-western side of Lord Howe, about 2 km south-west of Man of War Passage and 1.5 km outside the barrier reef. Michael McFadyen describes it as a circular reef of coral about 80 m by 80 m, rising from a sandy bottom at 40 m to about 30 m, with a lip on the northern side at around 28 m and the shallowest section in the south at about 26 m. The shape is crater-like, with a raised rim on the northern side.

The name reflects the coral. McFadyen writes that the coral here is 'extremely varied and possibly the healthiest you will see anywhere', which is a strong statement from one of Australia's most prolific dive-site writers, and a remarkable one for a reef at 31.5 degrees south and 26 m deep. The depth protects the coral from wave damage and the clear oceanic water lets light reach it.

Fish life includes Galapagos sharks and whaler sharks, tropical reef fish, anemonefish, glass shrimp, eels and blue-spot butterflyfish. McFadyen recorded at least 35 m visibility, 21.7°C and little or no current, but notes that operators avoid anchoring because currents are possible and instead use a small anchor attached to a float.

This is a deep dive throughout, so bottom time is short and it is suitable only for deep-trained divers. Nitrox helps. Because the whole reef is below 26 m, there is no shallow reef for the safety stop, which is done on the line. For divers with the qualifications it is a showcase of Lord Howe's coral, and a very different experience from the rocky northern sites.

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 leave the lagoon through North Passage (or Erscott's Passage for the southern end), then run along the outside of the barrier reef on the island's western side. The run is 10–15 minutes. The boat anchors on sand beside the reef, or drops a small float-attached anchor where current is possible.

Lord Howe sits in the path of the prevailing south-east to east trades and winter westerly fronts. The western outer reef lies in the lee of the island in the prevailing south-east to east trades and is dived on most days in those conditions. It is exposed to westerly and south-westerly swell and wind, which arrive with winter fronts (June–September) and can close it for days; north-westerlies also make it rough.

Visibility is usually 30 m or more, falling after big westerly seas stir the sand. Currents are usually light but can pick up near the passages on the tide. Best from October to May.

Descend the line to the reef's northern lip at about 28 m. Circle the rim clockwise or anti-clockwise, staying at 26–30 m and looking at the coral, anemonefish and glass shrimp; drop towards 40 m on the outer slope only with deep training. Watch no-decompression time closely and ascend the line with a long safety stop.

Nitrox (EAN28–32) strongly recommended to extend no-decompression time at 26–30 m.

Dive Lord Howe (PADI 5-star, 2 Lagoon Road) – morning double boat dives daily in season, afternoon single dives on demand; site chosen on the day by wind and swell. Howea Divers has also advertised dives here.