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Water Sports to try on Lord Howe Island

Neds Beach, Lord Howe IslandCredit: Destination NSW

People stand up paddleboarding off Neds Beach, Lord Howe Island.

#lovensw #newsouthwales

Water Sports to try on Lord Howe Island

Neds Beach, Lord Howe Island Credit: Destination NSW

People stand up paddleboarding off Neds Beach, Lord Howe Island.

#lovensw #newsouthwales

Hashtags #lovensw #newsouthwales

Snorkel over a coral reef, surf a point break or kayak a calm lagoon. Whatever your favourite water sport, the clear, clean waters of Lord Howe Island, a 2.5-hour flight from Sydney, are the perfect place to take the plunge. Only 400 visitors are allowed at any time on this crescent-shaped UNESCO World Heritage-listed island (it’s just 11km long by 2km wide), making it the ultimate aquatic getaway.  

Find the perfect surf break 

Love to surf? Bring your board to Lord Howe Island and catch some waves at the island’s surf spots. The east of the island is studded with beach breaks, including Neds Beach and Blinky Beach, considered by many to be the best break on the island. Middle Beach, a classic point break, is also popular. The western side of the island has a number of alluring reef breaks, including Salmon Beach, Lovers Bay and Lagoon Beach, but these involve a long paddle out.  

Head out on a kayak 

The calm waters of Lord Howe’s lagoon suit beginners as well as experienced kayakers. Pack a picnic and head out to North Bay, a secluded white-sand beach not accessible by road. Or bring a snorkel, pull up at one of the moorings that mark the island’s most popular snorkelling spots, and go looking for turtles, stingrays and colourful fish. If you are feeling more adventurous, join a guided kayaking trip with Lord Howe Environmental Tours to nearby Roach Island, known for its birdlife.  

Set sail for a new perspective 

Some of the best views of Lord Howe can only be enjoyed from the water. Try a boating excursion with Reef N Beyond Eco Tours to Balls Pyramid, the world’s tallest sea stack, which stands more than 550m above the waves. On your way there, keep an eye out for whales and dolphins. You might also spot petrels and albatross soaring above the Pyramid. If you’re a keen angler, you can drink in the views on a fishing charter with Sea to Summit Expeditions — expect to catch plenty of kingfish, alongside wahoo, cod or tuna. 

Lord Howe Island Highlights. Credit: Destination NSW

Highlights reel of footage from Lord Howe Island.

#lovensw #newsouthwales

Lord Howe Island Highlights. Credit: Destination NSW

Highlights reel of footage from Lord Howe Island.

#lovensw #newsouthwales

Kayaking, Lord Howe Island Credit: Mark Fitzpatrick; Destination NSW

Kayaks lined up on Neds Beach, Lord Howe Island.

#lovensw #newsouthwales

Kayaking, Lord Howe Island Credit: Mark Fitzpatrick; Destination NSW

Kayaks lined up on Neds Beach, Lord Howe Island.

#lovensw #newsouthwales

Discover an underwater world 

Hawksbill turtles, stingrays, wrasse and angelfish are just some of the species that flourish on Lord Howe’s thriving coral reef, the most southerly coral reef in the world. Sheltered coral gardens at Lagoon Beach and Erscotts Hole are popular with beginners; for something more adventurous, try a night snorkel with Lord Howe Environmental Tours. The calm lagoon is also a great place to learn to dive, so it’s worth booking an introductory course with Pro Dive. Experienced divers can choose from more than 100 dive sites around the island, including the Tenth of June Bombora, where you’ll swim among soft corals, black cod and butterfly fish; and Balls Pyramid, where you’ll see massive schools of kingfish and trevally.  

Pick your paddle spot 

Never tried stand-up paddle boarding (SUP)? The island’s tranquil lagoon is the perfect spot to give it a go, and the ultra-clear waters allow you to keep an eye out for passing turtles. If you’ve had plenty of practice at SUP, you may want to head for one of the island’s beach breaks to give surf SUP a go. Ordinary SUP is a meditative experience, but surf SUP is a thrill a minute. Make it easy on yourself by catching the first few waves while kneeling. Once you’ve got a feel for it, you can try surfing in while standing up.  

Scuba Diving, Lord Howe Island Credit: Jordan Robins

Scuba diver exploring the coral gardens surrounding Lord Howe Island.

#lovensw #newsouthwales

Scuba Diving, Lord Howe Island Credit: Jordan Robins

Scuba diver exploring the coral gardens surrounding Lord Howe Island.

#lovensw #newsouthwales

Stand-up Paddleboarding, Lord Howe Island Credit: Destination NSW

Family stand-up paddleboarding at Lagoon Beach on Lord Howe Island with Mount Gower and Mount Lidgbird as the backdrop.

#lovensw #newsouthwales

Stand-up Paddleboarding, Lord Howe Island Credit: Destination NSW

Family stand-up paddleboarding at Lagoon Beach on Lord Howe Island with Mount Gower and Mount Lidgbird as the backdrop.

#lovensw #newsouthwales

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