Scenic and Sunset Cruise — Lord Howe Island

Lord Howe rises straight out of the Tasman, and from the water the scale of it makes sense in a way it does not from the road. Gower and Lidgbird stand over the southern end. The lagoon runs turquoise over the southernmost coral reef in the world.

Two hours is enough to get right around the island when conditions allow. Scott decides the route on the day, on wind and swell, and works the side that is behaving. Some days that means the full circuit. Other days it means one stretch of coast, seen properly.

Morning, afternoon or sunset — same trip, same price. The time of day changes it more than the route does. Mornings are usually the calmest water and the best light on the lagoon. Late afternoon puts the sun on the cliffs. Sunset is the one most people ask for.

Seabirds

Lord Howe is one of the great seabird islands, and fourteen species breed in the island group. Providence petrels nest on Gower and Lidgbird and effectively nowhere else on earth. Red-tailed tropicbirds work the cliffs, masked boobies sit out on the Admiralty Islands, and sooty terns come in their thousands.

What you see depends when you come. Providence petrels are here March to November. Sooty terns run August to March. Red-tailed tropicbirds September to May. Masked boobies and grey ternlets are here every month of the year, so there is no dead month for birds, only different ones.

Photography

The water angle is the one most visitors never get. Where conditions allow, Scott will hold the boat in position for a shot — ask him on the day. If you are here to photograph rather than to sightsee, say so when you book. It changes where the boat sits and how long it stays there.

Who it suits

The easiest of our trips. Two hours, no experience needed, nothing to do but sit and watch the island go past. It suits families, older guests, photographers, and anyone who wants time on the water without a long day offshore.

Included

Marine toilet on board. Bring binoculars and a camera.

Not included

Food and drink. Bring what you would like for two hours on the water. No glass on board.

What to bring

Camera, binoculars, sun protection and a warm layer. It is cooler on the water than on land, and noticeably cooler at sunset. Soft-soled shoes or bare feet.

Where and when

We leave from the Lord Howe Island jetty. The time depends on the tide and on whether you have asked for a morning, afternoon or sunset run.

Boarding

A step of about 200mm down from the jetty onto the deck, with a handrail and a hand from the crew. If anyone in your group has limited mobility we can bring them aboard through the side door, but that depends on the tide. Tell us when you book.

Weather

The scenic is the trip most likely to run — it stays close in and works the lee of the island, so it goes out in conditions that stop the fishing. Scott makes the final call on the morning.

Minimum numbers

Runs with two or more. If we do not reach two you can take the whole boat at the charter price, move to another date, or have a full refund.

Children

Minimum four years old and 15 kg, up to four children per trip, with a parent or guardian aboard. Two hours suits kids better than a fishing day.