Kingston Pier is the historic landing place of Norfolk Island, a convict-built stone pier at the western end of Slaughter Bay within the Kingston and Arthur's Vale Historic Area. It is one of only two places on the island where boats can be put in the water – by crane – and so it is the departure point for dives to Nepean Island and Phillip Island and for local fishing boats.

The pier is also a shore dive in its own right. Oceanatik lists a 'Cascade Pier 1' that it describes as 'the Pier separating Emily Bay from Slaughter Bay', with a maximum depth of 12 m, visibility of 10–30 m, shore entry with multiple access points and 'a little bit of everything' – reef, wall and coral – suitable for beginners. The description matches the Kingston side of the island rather than Cascade, so it is treated here as Kingston Pier. Nigel Marsh notes that fishing boats have fed Galapagos sharks at Kingston jetty, and local divers report sharks around the pier.

The mixed habitat around a pier – rubble, stone walls, reef and sand – attracts a good range of fish. Norfolk's reef fish include surge wrasse, green wrasse, Norfolk cardinalfish and notch-headed marblefish in the Kingston bays, and kingfish and trevally around the structure.

The pier is a working harbour. Divers must stay clear of crane and boat operations and check with the pier staff or the dive operator before entering. It suits Open Water divers on calm days with the south-easterly down. The historic area around the pier, a World Heritage-listed convict site, is worth exploring after the dive.

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. Kingston Pier is at the end of Pier Street in Kingston, on the south coast, about 10 minutes' drive downhill from Burnt Pine.

Park beside the pier or along Bay Street. The pier is a working structure: boats are craned in and out, fishing vessels unload, and lighters work cargo ships offshore, so check with the harbour staff or Norfolk Island Diving before entering. Enter via the steps on the sheltered side and stay clear of the crane area and boat ramp.

Kingston Pier is on the south coast and exposed to the prevailing south-east trades and southerly swell. When the south-easterly is blowing it is rough and boats launch from Cascade instead; on northerly or light-wind days it is calm and the reef beside the pier is diveable. Surge around the pier walls is strong in any swell.

Visibility is 10–30 m. Avoid days when ships are being unloaded.

With permission, enter from the steps and follow the reef and wall along the sheltered side of the pier at 6–12 m, then return along the shallows. Keep clear of the crane zone and listen for boat engines.

Norfolk Island Diving launches its boat here by crane when winds are northerly or light; guided shore dives on request.