The Herring Pools are rock pools on Lord Howe's north coast, near Old Gulch. Pinetrees Lodge lists them as a snorkelling area, and the tourism site for North Bay describes the bay as a starting point for walks to Old Gulch and the Herring Pools. Islander Cruises mentions views of the Old Gulch and Herring Pools on its North Bay trip.

Rock pools on a volcanic coast like this are usually shallow basins in the lava platform, filled by the tide and by waves washing over the rim, and they trap small reef fish, crabs, sea stars and other invertebrates. They can be good for children and for snorkellers who want to look at small things close up.

The north coast is exposed to northerly swell, and rock pools can be dangerous when waves break over the platform, so they should be visited only on a calm day. The walk from North Bay is short but there are no facilities.

Most visitors see the Herring Pools as part of a North Bay day that combines snorkelling in the bay, the Favourite wreck, and walks to Old Gulch and Mt Eliza. They suit families and casual snorkellers in calm conditions. Check zoning before collecting anything – most of Lord Howe's shoreline is within marine park zones where collecting is restricted.

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. Old Gulch and the Herring Pools are reached on foot.

Walk or ride to North Bay (via the North Bay track from the Old Settlement end of the island, or by snorkel boat or kayak across the lagoon), then take the short signed track from North Bay over the headland to Old Gulch on the north coast; the Herring Pools are nearby. Carry snorkel gear – there is no hire at the site – and allow time for the walk back.

Old Gulch and the Herring Pools are on Lord Howe's north coast, sheltered from the prevailing south-east trades and southerly swell but fully exposed to northerly winds and north to north-east swell, which make them dangerous – waves wash over the boulders and rock pools. Only enter on a calm day with no northerly swell, ideally at mid to high tide for the pools. Visibility is usually good (15–30 m) when the sea is flat.

There is no stinger season.

Snorkel or wade in the pools on a calm day at mid tide, looking for small fish and invertebrates; stay out of the pools when waves are washing into them.

No operator needed – independent snorkelling from the beach; snorkel gear from the boatsheds or (at Neds Beach) an honesty-box hire shed. Dive Lord Howe can arrange guided shore dives.