Old Gulch is a rocky cove on the north coast of Lord Howe, reached by a short walk from North Bay. Lord Howe's tourism material mentions short walks from North Bay to Old Gulch, and the island's snorkel operators include the walk on North Bay trips – Marine Adventures offers a walk to Old Gulch or Mt Eliza with a snorkel on the Favourite.

The north coast of Lord Howe is volcanic, and the cove is a boulder beach with rock faces on either side, looking north towards the Admiralty Islets. When the sea is flat, the rocky edges of the cove offer snorkelling over boulders and rock with reef fish; the nearby dive sites on this coast, such as Malabar and North Head, show how rich the marine life can be, with McCulloch's anemonefish, doubleheader wrasse, kingfish and turtles.

The main consideration is safety. Old Gulch faces north and is exposed to any northerly swell, and entering and exiting over boulders is awkward. Snorkellers should go only on a calm day, preferably with a guide, and stay close to the exit. There are no facilities and it is a walk back to North Bay.

For most visitors, Old Gulch is part of a North Bay day – a scenic walk with the option of a swim – rather than a destination dive. It suits experienced snorkellers in calm conditions. The sanctuary zone status should be checked on the marine park map. The Herring Pools nearby, previously grouped with Old Gulch, are listed as a separate entry.

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.

Enter carefully over the boulders only on a flat day and snorkel along the rocky edges of the cove, staying close to the exit point.

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.