There's more to Norfolk Island There's more to Norfolk Island

Emily Bay Lagoon is a tropical beach as most of us imagine it, with spotless sand and water so clear you can see fish darting below.

This is one of Norfolk Island’s best swimming beaches. The reef-sheltered waters here are perfect for a paddle and there’s an offshore pontoon, known locally as ‘the raft’, from where you can jump into the water.

What’s more, the snorkelling here is pretty special. From the sand, at low tide you can swim out to the reef where neon-bright fish weave around corals. If you’d rather stay dry, hop aboard the glass-bottomed boat, which makes daily trips out to the teeming reef. Whatever way you look at it, the underwater world here really has to be seen. It’s home to more than 60 individual marine species and that’s not including the coral and anemones!

And to make it even more special, Emily Bay is part of the Kingston UNESCO World Heritage Site, where a sense of history is keenly felt. Wander through the pines along the shore to locate the ruins of the convict-era Salt House.

Aerial view encompassing the entire, horseshoe-shaped bay with turquoise-coloured water. Shore of golden sand is lined with Norfolk pines. Kingston heritage site visible in the background.
Aerial view from the water looking towards the shore, which has golden sand and is backed by Norfolk pines. Reef is visible through the turquoise-coloured water.
Elevated view from the water of a family walking along the shore which has golden sand backed by Norfolk pines. Calm turquoise water laps the beach.
A view from behind of three children running from the sandy shore into the shallow, clear water.
An action shot of two boys jumping from a pontoon into clear, turquoise-coloured water.
View from the water looking back to the beach with four boys on a pontoon in the centre of the lagoon. Cars parked under pines at the back of the shore.
A close-up of the white foam of a breaking wave captured as it moves up the golden sand.
The lagoon from a distance looking from the water back to the shore. In the foreground, three boys in an orange raft. A pontoon in the centre. People walking and lying on the shore.
Aerial shot of Emily Bay Lagoon depicting green rolling hills, norfolk pine trees and turquoise blue waters.
View of the shores of Emily Bay Lagoon and the carpark with pine trees in the background.
Children paddle on boards in Emily Bay Lagoon with the sandy shore in the background.
Aerial shot of Norfolk Pine trees leading to the sandy shores and blue waters of Emily Bay Lagoon.

Destination Details

Operating Hours: 24/7

Cost: Free

Getting Here: A 5-10 minute drive from Burnt Pine. Access via Bay Street.

Top Tips for Emily Bay Lagoon

  • With parking mere steps from the sand, Emily Bay Lagoon is ideal for families who have gear to unload from the car for their day at the beach.
  • Bring food to cook up at one of the public barbecues and set up camp for lunch at a picnic table around the bay.
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