activities

swimming

Whether you like a refreshing dip, a body surf or solid ocean swim, there are endless possibilities on a sub-tropical island. In an easterly wind, one of the best places is our own beach in front of the Pinetrees boatshed. The lagoon waters are pristine, calm and safe. If you'd like a swim and a coffee, then the lagoon beach 'under the pines' is ideal. Further afield, you can swim with turtles at Old Settlement Beach, seek solitude at Lovers Bay, or enjoy beautiful shade at Cobbys Corner.

When the wind is from the west, then conditions are 'off-shore' at Blinky Beach. It's one of the best beaches in Australia. Where else can you find perfect white sand, coral reef, turquoise water and two of Australia's most dramatic mountains as a backdrop? Complete with goggles you can swim the length of the beach and have hundreds of fish school around you. There's great body surfing and board riding as well.

Neds Beach is the most popular place to swim. It has easy access and is safe for all ages. It was voted the 'cleanest beach in Australia' in 2004 and nothing has changed. Neds is a great place for a day out. You can snorkel and swim all morning, then have a BBQ lunch.

You can swim all year round at Lord Howe. The water temperature ranges from 18ºC in winter to 26ºC in summer. That's about the same as the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. There are no stingers, crocodiles or stone fish.