External Territories · 29 sites
Norfolk Island dive sites
Norfolk Island sits on its own in the Tasman Sea, and its reefs feel like it: subtropical coral and kelp together, arches and swim-throughs in volcanic rock, 20–40 m visibility and endemic fish found nowhere else. Slaughter Bay and Emily Bay inside the lagoon are easy shore dives; the outer sites around Nepean and Phillip islands are boat dives in clear blue water.
- Sites
- 29
- Wrecks
- 3
- Shore
- 3
- Boat
- 17
- Beginner
- 9
- Deepest
- 54 m
Conditions outlook · Late September – October 2026
Written 27 September 2026Spring winds are easing and the water is climbing from 19 °C toward the summer 23 °C. Days are still lost to wind, but on the calm ones visibility runs 30 m-plus on the reefs and the HMS Sirius site in Slaughter Bay is workable. The one island operator sets the schedule by the forecast each morning.
Getting there
Fly from Sydney or Brisbane (about two and a half hours). One dive operator on the island runs boat and shore dives depending on the wind.
When to go
November to April for the warmest water (22–24 °C) and lightest winds. Winter is diveable, cooler (18–20 °C) and quieter.
Water & suit
Summer 22-25 °C · winter 18-19 °C. 5 mm full suit year-round; add a hood or vest June–October
Nearest chamber: Prince of Wales Hospital (Randwick, Sydney) – about 1,700 km; no chamber on Norfolk Island, aeromedical evacuation from Norfolk Island Airport via the Norfolk Island Health service (Auckland may be used – confirm)
Most recorded marine life in Norfolk Island
- Trevally 13
- Kingfish 11
- Morays 11
- Corals 9
- Groper 9
- Morwong 9
- Rock cod 9
- Sponges 9
- Wrasse 8
- Butterflyfish 5
- Hard and soft corals 5
- Reef fish 5
- Sea fans 5
- Sweep 5
The most-dived sites in Norfolk Island
Suggested trip
A 3-day dive trip to Norfolk Island
Built from the sites in this region: an easy start, the signature dives, then something deeper or further. Swap days around the weather; the site pages say which winds and swell close each one.
Build your own Norfolk Island plan: pick days, level and must-dive sites →Day 1 · Settle in
Start with Norfolk Island's easier shore dives: check your weighting, get used to the water temperature and dive the sheltered side of the coast.
- Slaughter BayReef · Max 6 m · Snorkel/Any
- Emily BayReef · Max 6 m · Snorkel/Any
Day 2 · The signature dives
A charter day on the sites people travel to Norfolk Island for, including the main wreck.
- The Crack (Nepean Island)Drift · Max 18 m · Advanced Open Water
- Fish Bowl (Nepean Island)Reef · Max 18 m · Open Water
Day 3 · Deeper or further
For divers with the certification and the weather: the deeper walls, pinnacles or less-visited sites of Norfolk Island.
- One TonPinnacle/Bommie · Max 30 m · Advanced Open Water
- South Rock (Phillip Island)Pinnacle/Bommie · Max 40 m · Deep/Advanced + experience
Dive centres and charters in Norfolk Island
All External Territories operators →Operators recorded as running sites in this region. Each profile lists the specific sites it goes to.
Norfolk Island Diving
Named by sitesConfirmed Sept 2026
Norfolk Island · Norfolk Island · External Territory
norfolkislanddiving.com · +672 3 50660
29 sites
Bounty Divers
Named by sitesUnconfirmed
Norfolk Island · Norfolk Island · External Territory
No live presence found: PADI lists no shops on Norfolk Island and the only listing dates from 2012; the operator currently reviewed on Norfolk Island is Norfolk Island Diving.
+672 3 24375
2 sites
Map of Norfolk Island dive sites
Click a pin for the site. 8 sites without published coordinates are not shown.
Loading map…
21 pinned sites. Pins marked approximate on their pages show the general area only; not for navigation.
All 29 Norfolk Island dive sites
All Norfolk Island sites at a glance
29 sites in Norfolk Island · click a column to sort
| Anson Bay | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 8 m | Open Water | Shore | Occasional |
| Black Bank | Reef | Max 21 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Cascade Pier | Jetty/Pier | Max 15 m | Open Water | Shore | Occasional |
| Cemetery Bay | Reef | Depth not published | Snorkel/Any | Shore | Weekly |
| Claytons Wreck (Nepean Island) | Reef | Max 16 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Cooks Arch | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 21 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Crystal Pool | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 6 m | Snorkel/Any | Shore | Occasional |
| Duncombe Bay | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Shore or Boat | Rare |
| Emily Bay | Reef | Max 6 m | Snorkel/Any | Shore | Daily |
| Fireplace | Reef | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Shore or Boat | Occasional |
| Fish Bowl (Nepean Island) | Reef | Max 18 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Hard Belly Stone (Phillip Island) | Reef | Depth not published | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Rare |
| HMS Sirius wreck site | Wreck | Max 8 m | Open Water | Shore or Boat | Rare |
| Johnnystone Rock | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Kings Chair | Reef | Depth not published | Open Water | Shore or Boat | Occasional |
| Kingston Pier | Jetty/Pier | Max 12 m | Open Water | Shore | Occasional |
| Liars Strait | Reef | Depth not published | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Rare |
| Little Organ | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 24 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Longnose Reef | Wall | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| One Ton | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Shore | Occasional |
| Pel-Air Westwind wreck | Aircraft Wreck | Max 54 m | Technical (decompression) | Boat (day trip) | Expedition |
| Policemans Helmet | Wall | Max 18 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Reids Folly (Nepean Island) | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 24 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Slaughter Bay | Reef | Max 6 m | Snorkel/Any | Shore | Daily |
| South Rock (Phillip Island) | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 40 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Steels Point | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| The Crack (Nepean Island) | Drift | Max 18 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Turtle Arch | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 21 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| White Rock (Phillip Island) | Reef | Depth not published | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Rare |
Norfolk Island diving FAQ
How do I get to the dive sites in Norfolk Island?
Fly from Sydney or Brisbane (about two and a half hours). One dive operator on the island runs boat and shore dives depending on the wind.
When is the best time to dive Norfolk Island?
November to April for the warmest water (22–24 °C) and lightest winds. Winter is diveable, cooler (18–20 °C) and quieter.
How many dive sites are there in Norfolk Island?
29 documented sites, including 3 wrecks and 3 that can be dived independently from the shore. The deepest reaches 54 m.
Are there beginner dive sites in Norfolk Island?
Yes, 9 sites are rated beginner. Look for the green Beginner tag in the list below, and check the weather notes on each page before diving.
How cold is the water in Norfolk Island?
Typically 22-25 °C in summer and 18-19 °C in winter. Most divers wear 5 mm full suit year-round; add a hood or vest June–October.
Which dive centres operate in Norfolk Island?
Norfolk Island Diving, Bounty Divers are recorded as running sites in Norfolk Island. Each site page lists the operators known to go there.
Where is the nearest recompression chamber to Norfolk Island?
Prince of Wales Hospital (Randwick, Sydney) – about 1,700 km; no chamber on Norfolk Island, aeromedical evacuation from Norfolk Island Airport via the Norfolk Island Health service (Auckland may be used – confirm). In an emergency call 000, then DAN Asia-Pacific on 1800 088 200.
Other regions in External Territories