LORD HOWE ISLAND WATER ACTIVITIES FIELD GUIDE
Three Days to Become the Diver Your Buddy Hopes For: Rescue Diver Course on Lord Howe Island
A focused, three-day Rescue Diver Course that trains you in confined‑ and open‑water rescue scenarios and the partner‑care skills every serious diver needs.
Three Days to Become the Diver Your Buddy Hopes For: Rescue Diver Course on Lord Howe Island.
On Lord Howe Island, the Rescue Diver Course compresses intense, hands‑on learning into three days: confined‑water drills, then open‑water scenarios that force you to think fast and act cleanly. Divers describe it as challenging and rewarding — serious training threaded with laughter, camaraderie, and the steady satisfaction of becoming a capable dive buddy.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Demanding, Practical Rescue Training
The Rescue Diver Course is widely regarded as the most challenging yet rewarding recreational dive specialty, focused on preventing and managing problems in the water and on building dependable rescue skills.
Problem‑Solving Until It’s Second Nature
Training emphasizes scenario practice so problem‑solving and buddy‑care responses become automatic — serious learning that still allows room for humor and team bonding.
Three Days — Ages 12 and Up
This is a three‑day course intended for certified divers aged 12 and above, designed to boost confidence and the ability to assist others in the water.
What the day feels like
What the Course Feels Like
Across three concentrated days you’ll move from coached confined‑water practice to staged open‑water rescue scenarios. The tempo is intense: repeated drills, partner work and scenario rotations that sharpen judgment and build the muscle memory needed to respond calmly under pressure.
THE COURSE
Demanding, Practical Rescue Training
The Rescue Diver Course is widely regarded as the most challenging yet rewarding recreational dive specialty, focused on preventing and managing problems in the water and on building dependable rescue skills.
THE SKILLS
Problem‑Solving Until It’s Second Nature
Training emphasizes scenario practice so problem‑solving and buddy‑care responses become automatic — serious learning that still allows room for humor and team bonding.
THE COMMITMENT
Three Days — Ages 12 and Up
This is a three‑day course intended for certified divers aged 12 and above, designed to boost confidence and the ability to assist others in the water.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this course suits — and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The Rescue Diver Course runs over three days.
Meet at Shed 2, Lagoon Road, Lord Howe Island, NSW, 2898.
A 5mm wetsuit is suitable year‑round; in cooler months a hood and/or vest is recommended. Additional cold‑water items are available from Dive Lord Howe.
Best time to visit is September through May, with December–March as peak season; Dive Lord Howe is closed from 1 June to 31 August for annual equipment servicing.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How do I book the Rescue Diver Course?
You can book diving online or contact Dive Lord Howe on 02 6563 2253. Visit their Terms & Conditions page for booking policy details.
Do I need to book my diving before arriving on Lord Howe Island?
Yes. Because Dive Lord Howe runs only small groups, pre‑booking dive packages before arrival is recommended to avoid disappointment.
Where on the island are the dive sites?
Dive Lord Howe operates a variety of sites around the Lord Howe Island Group and selects sites based on their suitability to prevailing conditions.
What if I haven’t dived in a while?
If you haven’t dived for a few months, a quick refresher dive is recommended; this can be completed on the island or at a dive centre before you arrive.
When is Dive Lord Howe closed?
Dive Lord Howe is closed from 1 June to 31 August for annual SCUBA equipment servicing and testing off island.
What are typical water conditions?
Summer visibility commonly ranges from 25 to beyond 40 metres and temperatures from 22–26°C; cooler months can see visibility of 10–20 metres and temperatures down to about 18°C.
What happens if diving is cancelled because of weather?
See Dive Lord Howe’s cancellation policy and consider travel insurance when travelling to Lord Howe Island.