The Landslide (also known as Malabar Landslide) is a spectacular dive and snorkel site off the northern face of Lord Howe Island. The site features an underwater ridge of reef rising from a sandy plateau at 21 metres, with stunning swim-throughs, archways, and small caves carved into the rocky terrain. The reef top is blanketed with large anemones hosting clownfish, while hard corals and bryozoans coat the walls. This site is a favourite for macro enthusiasts, offering sightings of Spanish dancers, nudibranchs, and the endemic Lord Howe Island tricolour fairy basslet. The dramatic underwater topography and abundant marine life make it a must-visit for experienced snorkelers and divers.
The Landslide (dive site)
IntermediateMAYBE
MAYBE
Fair. Experienced snorkellers only.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 1.2 mSwell Period 7.1 sWind Speed 6.3 knPrecipitation 1.2 mmTidal Phase ebb
Last evaluated
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
Low risk: Ocean swell and currents
The site is accessed by boat and can be subject to ocean swell and occasional strong currents, especially on the northern face of the island.
Low risk: Depth range (10–21 m)
Water depths range from 10 to 21 metres, requiring good buoyancy control and comfortable swimming ability for snorkelers.
Low risk: Swim-throughs and caves
Swim-throughs, archways and small caves can disorient snorkelers and divers if not careful.
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Getting in
Boat
Entry
The Landslide is located off the northern coast of Lord Howe Island near the Malabar headland. It is accessible only by boat, typically a 10–20 minute ride from the island's main settlement. Dive operators such as Dive Lord Howe and Pro Dive run regular trips to this site.
Parking & facilities
No on-site parking. Visitors park at the boat departure point on Lord Howe Island (near the lagoon wharf area). Car parking is limited on the island; most visitors use bicycles or the island's courtesy bus service.
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About this data
- Conditions last evaluated
- Spot data last updated
- Data sources
- Open-Meteo (marine & weather conditions), tide predictions via UTide, community contributors (descriptions, hazards, marine life).
- License
- Spot content licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. How's the Spot is open source.
Weather & swell ┬╖ Open-Meteo marine & weather APIs Tides ┬╖ UTide harmonic analysis Sea & safety ┬╖ community reports