Lighthouse Reef sits just off the landmark Norah Head Lighthouse, a short run from the boat ramp, and presents as a north-south wall with its top around 12 m and base near 19 m, scattered with small to medium boulders and separated by narrow canyons. It's a site with real potential that has, by the account of at least one visiting diver, been let down by conditions on occasion — a dive in large seas produced heavy surge and floating sand that reduced the experience considerably, with the observation that in calmer conditions this would be an exceptional dive site rather than a merely good one.On the wall and among its boulders, gorgonias, sea squirts, sponges and other fixed life dress the rock, while Port Jackson sharks, wobbegongs and cuttlefish are the headline mobile species — cold-water regulars that suit this wall's slightly more sheltered, current-affected character. A swim-through reportedly leads to a large crack in the reef, though it had not been located by at least one documenting diver, leaving something for future visitors to find.

Because the site's quality is so conditions-dependent, it rewards patience: waiting for a genuinely calm, low-swell day rather than diving it as a default option pays off far more here than at some of the area's more sheltered alternatives. Minimum water temperatures around 15°C mean a decent exposure suit is worthwhile even in the warmer months. Given its proximity to the ramp, it is a reasonable choice for a first dive of the day before committing further offshore, provided the swell forecast is checked carefully beforehand rather than assumed from the previous day's conditions.

Launch from the Norah Head beach boat ramp and run just off the Norah Head Lighthouse, heading east until the reef is located where it drops from 12 m to about 19 m; anchor on the reef top.

Sits directly off the exposed Norah Head Lighthouse point, so it needs calm conditions to avoid the surge that has spoiled dives here in the past; a big sea brings sand into suspension and can make the site unpleasant even at depth. Minimum water temperature is normally around 15 degrees Celsius. Best on a settled day with minimal swell.

Head to just off the lighthouse and locate the reef edge where it drops from 12 m to 19 m, anchor on the reef, and follow the north-south wall past its boulders and canyons looking for Port Jackson sharks, wobbegongs and cuttlefish; a reported swim-through leading to a large crack remains to be fully explored.

Norah Head Divers Depot runs boat charters to the offshore reefs from the Norah Head boat ramp; Terrigal Underwater Group club members also dive these sites regularly from private boats.