Lord Howe Island

Lord Howe Island mixes temperate and tropical species inside a marine park about 600km east of mainland Australia. Lagoon and near-island sites provide sheltered training profiles, while Ball’s Pyramid adds deeper walls, current and a 20–25km open-water run.

Best time
Nov–Apr
Certification
Open water
Budget
$$–$$$ · $2,000–4,000 to over $4,000
Trip length
4–8 days
Trip style
Land based, Day trip, Shore dive
Access
Moderate

The short version

Known forTropical and temperate species overlap.

Main tradeoffBall’s Pyramid cannot be guaranteed before arrival.

Lord Howe Island dive region

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Your outlook

Explore 4 dive sites

Browse the map and wildlife below, or add an optional preference to narrow Lord Howe Island.

Most relevant wildlife

  • Galapagos sharkJan–Dec
  • Giant trevallyJan–Dec
  • Green sea turtleJan–Dec
  • Humpback whaleNo reliable month

Plan the trip

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4 sites shown.

Conditions referenceSeason, water and visibilityBest Nov–Apr · Moderate current · 17.5–25°C (coldest Jul, warmest Jan)
Best months Operating
Current
Moderate
Water temperature
17.5–25°C (coldest Jul, warmest Jan)
Visibility
15–40m: Oceanic sites can be very clear, but lagoon and weather conditions vary.
Experience
Lagoon sites suit Open Water divers.

01 · Marine life

What you may see

rareoccasionalcommonly seenpeak seasondestination closed

Sightings are never guaranteed. The bars show typical likelihood by month.

Galapagos sharkCarcharhinus galapagensis
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januaryoccasional
Februaryoccasional
Marchoccasional
Apriloccasional
Mayoccasional
Juneoccasional
Julyoccasional
Augustoccasional
Septemberoccasional
Octoberoccasional
Novemberoccasional
Decemberoccasional

Possible in the region; no unsupported monthly peak is applied.

Giant trevallyCaranx ignobilis
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januaryoccasional
Februaryoccasional
Marchoccasional
Apriloccasional
Mayoccasional
Juneoccasional
Julyoccasional
Augustoccasional
Septemberoccasional
Octoberoccasional
Novemberoccasional
Decemberoccasional

Possible in the region; no unsupported monthly peak is applied.

Green sea turtleChelonia mydas
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januaryoccasional
Februaryoccasional
Marchoccasional
Apriloccasional
Mayoccasional
Juneoccasional
Julyoccasional
Augustoccasional
Septemberoccasional
Octoberoccasional
Novemberoccasional
Decemberoccasional

Possible in the region; no unsupported monthly peak is applied.

Reef manta rayMobula alfredi
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januaryrare
Februaryrare
Marchrare
Aprilrare
Mayrare
Junerare
Julyrare
Augustrare
Septemberrare
Octoberrare
Novemberrare
Decemberrare

Possible in the region; no unsupported monthly peak is applied.

See all 8 species

02 · Dive sites

Dive sites worth knowing

A starting point, not a ranking. Conditions decide what works on the day.

See all 4 dive sites
03 · LogisticsGetting there and costsModerate. Fly to LDH. Typical trip $$–$$$.

Route overview

Moderate

Reachable but with some friction: 1 domestic flight.

Airport options

LDH

Lord Howe Island Airport

Short island transfer to accommodation and the dive base

Typical trip cost

$$–$$$

$2,000–4,000 to over $4,000

Per person, excluding international flights.

  • Flights and capped island accommodation dominate cost.
  • Ball’s Pyramid is an on-island upgrade rather than a guaranteed package inclusion.

Sources & last checked

Checked September 2026

Research is source-backed, but conditions and fees should still be confirmed locally.

View 4 sources and checking notes

Note on the data: Prices and exact dive schedules are thin because only one active operator publishes limited detail. Ball’s Pyramid is never guaranteed. Water temperature: Monthly tourism-board averages rounded into planning bands. Access: Access requires a flight from mainland eastern Australia; Ball’s Pyramid adds a weather-dependent boat crossing.