Liv's Crack takes its name from Olivia, a Pro Dive guide, and was documented by Michael McFadyen on a dive with Pro Dive. It lies about 2 km south of North Passage and about 500 m off the barrier reef on the western side of the island. The site is defined by a number of narrow gullies or cracks running into the coral bottom and across the reef, both east–west and north–south.

The boat anchors in about 18 m. The main crack runs north, dropping to 20 m at first and shallowing to about 12 m, with overhangs that gradually deepen back towards 18 m. McFadyen found crayfish in groups under the overhangs – a sign of how well protected Lord Howe's reefs are. After about 20 minutes the crack ends, and the route crosses a bowl to a narrower crack running south, then heads east over the reef top.

Fish life includes butterflyfish, firefish, leatherjackets, schools of trevally, sharks, pufferfish and one-spot pullers, and anemones with glass shrimp are a good macro subject. McFadyen recorded 21.7°C and at least 30 m visibility in May.

The dive is a navigation-friendly one because the cracks lead you along, and at 11–20 m it suits Open Water divers. It is a particularly good site for divers who like structure – the cracks are narrow enough to feel enclosed while always open to the surface, so there is no true overhead. Like the rest of the western outer reef, it is dived in the prevailing easterly weather and closes in westerly swell.

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.

Anchor at about 18 m. Drop into the main crack and follow it north into the reef, looking under the overhangs for groups of crayfish. When the crack ends after about 20 minutes, cross west over a bowl, enter a narrower crack running south, then head east to shallower reef top at about 12 m and return to the anchor.

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.