Diving in Lord Howe Island

Balls Pyramid

The Barge de Saumaty, just off the Saumaty port, isn't some colossal freighter, but it’s still one of our favourite wreck dives in the area. We love its character, especially the way it sits, almost defiant, on a slight slope. Descending, you can often feel the slight chill of the thermocline hitting you first, then the wreck gradually appears through the Mediterranean haze. It’s completely colonised now, a skeleton of metal draped in colourful gorgonians and sponges. Look closely and you’ll spot moray eels tucked into every crevice, their heads poking out with that characteristic sneer. Shoals of barracuda often circle the upper sections, their silver scales flashing in the shafts of sunlight that penetrate the surface. We always recommend exploring the interior if you’re comfortable with overhead environments; the light play inside can be quite dramatic. It's a dive that really suits those who appreciate a wreck that feels like a natural reef, brimming with life. You’ll leave feeling like you’ve visited an underwater art installation.