LORD HOWE ISLAND SCUBA FIELD GUIDE
Get Your Sea Legs Back: A Morning Refresher and Two‑Tank Dive Around Lord Howe
A concise, on‑island refresher for certified divers that reviews kit, signals and theory before a morning two‑tank dive — useful for anyone wanting a quick confidence boost before exploring Lord Howe's reefs.
Get Your Sea Legs Back: A Morning Refresher and Two‑Tank Dive Around Lord Howe.
Set off from the lagoon at Lord Howe Island for a focused morning that tightens your kit routine and rehearses key hand signals before slipping beneath blue water for two dives. Offered as a short add‑on to the morning double dive, the Refresher Double Dive is aimed at already certified divers who want a brisk overview of equipment and theory rather than full in‑water skill practice.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Quick equipment and signals run‑through
A compact shore‑side briefing covers essential kit checks, regulator familiarization and standard hand signals — a focused preparation before the morning two‑tank program. This refresher does not include in‑water skill practice and is offered as an add‑on to the morning double dive.
Two‑tank morning dives around the Lord Howe group
The package pairs the refresher with a morning two‑tank dive program; dives run in the mornings and are scheduled Monday to Friday as conditions permit, letting you experience several of the island's nearby sites during a single outing.
Clear water, temperate seas and year‑round wetsuit guidance
Visibility in summer commonly ranges from the mid‑20 metres to beyond 40 metres, dropping to roughly 10–20 metres in cooler months; summer temperatures sit around 22–26°C with lows near 18°C in winter. A 5mm wetsuit is suitable year‑round, with hood or vest recommended for colder months — extras are available from the operator.
What the day feels like
What the morning feels like
You meet at the shop on the lagoon foreshore for a concise pre‑dive briefing and equipment check, then head out for two morning dives. The full morning program is a compact outing—approximately five hours in total—and the refresher element focuses on shore‑side theory and equipment familiarisation rather than in‑water training.
THE REFRESH
Quick equipment and signals run‑through
A compact shore‑side briefing covers essential kit checks, regulator familiarization and standard hand signals — a focused preparation before the morning two‑tank program. This refresher does not include in‑water skill practice and is offered as an add‑on to the morning double dive.
THE DIVE
Two‑tank morning dives around the Lord Howe group
The package pairs the refresher with a morning two‑tank dive program; dives run in the mornings and are scheduled Monday to Friday as conditions permit, letting you experience several of the island's nearby sites during a single outing.
THE CONDITIONS
Clear water, temperate seas and year‑round wetsuit guidance
Visibility in summer commonly ranges from the mid‑20 metres to beyond 40 metres, dropping to roughly 10–20 metres in cooler months; summer temperatures sit around 22–26°C with lows near 18°C in winter. A 5mm wetsuit is suitable year‑round, with hood or vest recommended for colder months — extras are available from the operator.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this morning refresher suits — and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Swimwear, a towel provided by your lodge, water, reef‑safe sun protection, and extra snacks or lunch if you tend to get hungry (morning double dives typically return around 1:30pm). Bring your dive certification card or proof and any sea‑sickness medicine you require.
A 5mm wetsuit is suitable year‑round; in cooler months a hood and/or vest are recommended — these items are available from the operator if needed.
The two‑tank morning dives operate Monday to Friday during the diving season; check availability and book ahead as groups are small.
Plan for an approximately five‑hour outing starting from the lagoon foreshore; confirm your exact meet time and location with the operator when booking.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How do I book?
You can book diving online or contact the operator by phone; refer to their Terms & Conditions for booking policies.
Do I need to book prior to arriving on the island?
Yes — because only small groups are taken, pre‑booking dive packages prior to arrival is recommended to avoid disappointment.
Where do you dive?
Dive Lord Howe operates at a variety of sites surrounding the Lord Howe Island Group; sites are selected based on prevailing circumstances and conditions.
What if I haven't dived in a while?
If you haven't dived within a few months a quick refresher is recommended; this on‑island refresher provides a shore‑side overview but does not include in‑water skills practice.
When is the best time to come and are there closed months?
Best time is September–May with peak season December–March. The operator is closed from 1 June to 31 August for annual equipment servicing and because weather is less predictable.
What are typical water visibility and temperatures?
In summer visibility commonly ranges from about 25 metres to beyond 40 metres, falling to roughly 10–20 metres in cooler months; water temperatures are typically 22–26°C in summer and can reach 18°C in cooler months.