Here, the ocean slows you down, quiets your mind, and gently calls you in. Whether you’re floating in perfect stillness, diving off the iconic pontoon at Emily Bay, or simply savouring the feeling of swimming in an UNESCO World Heritage Site setting, swims at Norfolk Island have a way of becoming a core memory. One that lingers long after the sand is brushed from your feet.
After checking daily tides, conditions, and signage, choose between our two safest and most loved swimming spots on the Island, nestled within the Kingston UNESCO World Heritage Site:
Emily Bay Lagoon – sheltered by reef and ringed with pines, this is Norfolk Island’s most iconic swimming beach. Home to calm, crystal-clear water, easy snorkelling, a floating pontoon, and over 60 species of stunning marine life, this peaceful lagoon is family-favourite.
Slaughter Bay – despite the name, this is one of the Island’s most calm and scenic swimming spots. Here you’ll be welcomed by gentle waves lapping the soft sand, a vibrant reef offering some of Norfolk’s best snorkelling, a breath-taking backdrop and deep historic significance. It was on this reef that the HMS Sirius, flagship of the First Fleet, was wrecked in 1790.
Before entering the water anywhere on Norfolk Island, always check tides and conditions, as our beaches are unpatrolled. Always look for signage, particularly at Emily Bay and Slaughter Bay on the high tide.
If in doubt, head to the Visitor Information Centre in Burnt Pine where the team can provide advice on the day’s conditions and safe swimming and snorkelling locations.
