Scuba Diving In The Norfolk Islands

By Author: Laurie Evans
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Located in the Pacific Ocean between New Zealand and Australia are three small islands which are among Australia's external territories. Norfolk is the largest of the three islands contained in this small cluster, which have become known collectively as the Norfolk Islands. The Nepean and Phillip Islands are both located just south of Norfolk and round out those in the triad.

The Norfolk Islands fall within a subtropical climate and have year-round temperatures seldom dropping below 50 or rising above 80 degrees Fahrenheit. These mild, pleasant temperatures make not only the islands but also the ocean surrounding them prime destination spots.

Scuba divers from around the world have found a haven in the waters around the Norfolk Islands. The coral reefs which surround the islands are one of the reasons for their popularity among divers.

The subtropical climate of the islands and the ocean temperatures which remain steadily warm year-round are perfect for the presence of coral reefs. The colorful coral and aquatic residents which call the reefs home are attractive to snorkelers and scuba divers.

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... coastline of Norfolk Island is approximately 20 miles long, and consists of rugged cliffs and rocky outcrops rising steeply from the ocean. The coral reefs which surround the islands are one component of the islands' rugged and adventurous geography. The caves, chasms, tunnels and grottos which are found around the islands are yet another appealing draw for divers.

There are more than 30 dive sites which have been scoped and documented around Norfolk Island. A large rocky outcrop called South Rock is one of the deepest among these diving locations. With the sea consistently breaking overhead, beating against the stony base of South Rock, a diver can descend up to 100 feet.

Another popular spot is Gutters, a steep-walled series of narrow chasms reaching 100 feet or more in depth in some locations. Many of these caves are covered by rock ceilings or bridges which tie them together, creating a labyrinthian complex. There are many areas in Cutters with steep vertical drop-offs.

Little Organ, which is located on the northern side of Norfolk Island, is a huge arching site with numerous horseshoe caves and other swim-through areas scattered throughout the spot. This site has diving waters of up to 65 feet. The dive sites of the central Duncombe Bay region boast submerged platforms of rock, with arches, caves, and deep gullies worth exploration.

Long Nose Reef is yet another common diving location on Norfolk Island. The site can be found at Anson Point, where the reef walls form distinct levels and drops for divers to explore. The shallowest part of Long Nose Reef is approximately 15 feet below the surface and the deepest drop off is about 75 feet.

Nepean Island, located south of Kingston and just a 20-minute boat ride from the main island, is home to extensive caves and tunnels. These swim-through areas can be found in a variety of unusual shapes, formed by rocky and coral extensions from the island.

Phillips Island, which is about four miles south of Norfolk Island, is home to dives of more than 90 feet depths. Its rocky terrain features large boulders and many vertical-walled drop-offs, making it perfect for divers who enjoy the deep and steep dives.

Norfolk Island is located within an area of the Pacific Ocean which has been highly traveled for centuries. The first early settlers were likely of New Zealand origins, arriving in the 14th or 15th century and remaining on the island for several generations.

When the British first arrived in the Norfolk Islands in the 1770s, they found them uninhabited by humans, and later went on to establish two penal colonies on Norfolk Island. The transportation of prisoners to Australia and Norfolk ended in the 1850s, when the internment of prisoners became solely undertaken on Britain's home soil.

Norfolk Island was later settled by Tahitians resettling from the Pitcairn Islands. They were descendants of the native populous and the men of the Bounty. The Bounty is a ship upon which one of the world's most famous mutinies occurred. The descendants of Tahitian women and the Bounty mutineers make up a large portion of the current Norfolk Island population.

The Norfolk Islands' history is filled with suffering, as many of the penal colony residents were terribly mistreated, with punishments that greatly outweighed the crimes they had committed. The penal colony was sometimes referred to as "Hell in Paradise" due to the cruelties which occurred on Norfolk Island. Today, Norfolk Island is simply a paradise, especially for those looking for tranquil and serene diving venues.
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