North Bay is a secluded white-sand beach at the northern end of the lagoon, below Mt Eliza, and one of the NSW marine park authority's named snorkel sites, reached by a short swim from shore. It is accessible only on foot or by water, which keeps it quiet. The bay is very shallow, so wading in is easy, and the coral reef in front holds an impressive range of fish, stingrays and sea turtles.

The island's pocket guide lists McCulloch's anemonefish, three-striped butterflyfish and turtles here. At the end of the beach lies the wreck of the Favourite, an American tuna boat lost in 1965, whose engine, refrigeration piping and steel boxes sit among the reef; it is described as its own entry. Pinetrees notes that the North Bay area is a sanctuary zone and attracts turtles and garfish.

North Bay is also a hub for walks. Short tracks lead to Old Gulch and the Herring Pools – rock pools and a boulder beach on the north coast – and up Mt Eliza, which has views over the Admiralty Islets. Snorkel-boat tours usually combine the snorkelling with a walk, and seabirds nest in the area.

The bay suits snorkellers of all abilities in calm conditions and is sheltered in the prevailing south-easterlies. It is shallow, so scuba is not needed, and depth figures here are estimates. A day trip here, combining snorkelling, the wreck and a walk, is one of the classic Lord Howe outings. Bring water and sun protection, because there are no shops at the bay.

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. North Bay is accessible only by foot or water.

Most visitors join a snorkel boat from the Lagoon Road boatsheds (Islander Cruises and Marine Adventures run North Bay trips, about 15 minutes across the lagoon) or paddle a hired kayak across the northern lagoon in calm weather. On foot, walk from the Old Settlement end of the island over the ridge on the North Bay track (about 30–40 minutes). The Favourite wreck is at the end of the beach, where there is an entry point next to it.

North Bay faces north across the northern end of the lagoon and is sheltered from the prevailing south-east trades and southerly swell. Northerly winds and swell and strong westerlies make it choppy and stir the sand, and kayaking across the lagoon is only sensible in light winds. Snorkel at mid to high tide.

Visibility is usually 10–20 m. There is no stinger season; warmest water is January–April.

Snorkel from the beach over the shallow coral, then work along to the end of the beach and swim out to the Favourite wreck. Return along the reef to the sand.

Islander Cruises – North Bay snorkel and turtle tour; Marine Adventures – North Bay trips with walks to Old Gulch or Mt Eliza and snorkel on the Favourite; or independent access on foot or by kayak.