Islander Cruises

Lord Howe Island, Australia

The team at Islander Cruises are, in our opinion, the heart of diving on Lord Howe. They specialise in small group trips, which we love, ensuring a personal feel that’s just perfect for getting to know the local conditions and the marine life. If you’re someone who values uncrowded boat decks and detailed briefings, rather than a cattle-call approach, they’re definitely your pick. Diving with them, you’re often heading out to the fringing reefs around the island, places like Erscott’s Hole, which is our favourite for a relaxed afternoon drift. The visibility here is usually excellent, often pushing 20 metres, letting you really soak in the vibrant colours of the damselfish and anemonefish darting amongst the plate corals. We’ve had some cracking encounters with green turtles here, just grazing on the seagrass beds without a care in the world. It’s a genuine feeling of stepping back in time. For something a bit more adventurous, we’d suggest asking about their trips out to Balls Pyramid, though those depend heavily on the weather. If you manage it, the sheer scale of the rock face dropping into the blue is something you feel in your chest. Just remember, Lord Howe can be exposed, so flexible planning with the Islander Cruises crew is key. They know when and where the conditions are best, and their local knowledge is invaluable.