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Ocean Calling

Ocean Atlas · Pacific

Pacific

Norfolk Island

A quiet Australian island with a no-take reef lagoon and humpback whales passing by.

Humpback whale
Humpback whale, found in the waters of the wider region · Photo: Chinh Le Duc on Unsplash
Story only

Story only, for now. We love learning about this place and its ocean, so we share its story here and do not sell trips yet. Checked by Ocean Calling on 6 Oct 2026. Sources: Norfolk Marine Park, Australian Marine Parks (Parks Australia); New no-take rules at Emily, Slaughter and Cemetery Bay, Parks Australia; Marine life, Norfolk Island Tourism.

Why: Norfolk Marine Park covers about 188,000 square kilometres around the island, and humpback whales pass by on migration, usually seen between July and October. Since 15 February 2023 Emily Bay and Slaughter Bay have been completely no-take, which helps the lagoon recover, while swimming and snorkelling there are still welcome straight from the beach. We would pick a quiet whale watch from a distance or from the shore and a gentle lagoon snorkel, and we never touch, feed or swim with whales.

🧭 Travel advice, checked 5 Oct 2026. Norfolk Island is an Australian territory. The CDC lists it at Level 1, practice usual precautions. Tourism sources say crime is low. The island health service has no operating theatre, and evacuation for serious illness can take up to 16 hours before a plane may arrive, so travel insurance is strongly recommended. Sources: CDC, Norfolk Island traveler view · Norfolk Island tourism, travel tips · Visiting Norfolk Island, Norfolk Island Health Service Advice differs by passport: check your own government before you plan.

SnorkellingWhalesCoral reefs

Why Norfolk Island

Norfolk Island is known for history, pine trees and quiet. Its marine park covers 188,444 square km, and Emily Bay and Slaughter Bay are completely no-take since 15 February 2023 until further notice. Humpback whales pass on migration and turtles are seen only sometimes. Australian law says do not swim with, touch or feed whales.

Conservation-led. Ocean Calling guests never chase, touch or bait animals.

FijiVanuatuNew CaledoniaNew ZealandAustraliaEmily Bay and Slaughter Bay, Norfolk Island

When to go

Timing changes a lot from place to place. See each place below.

We share this place as a story so you can learn. There is no Ocean Calling trip.

Our ethics check

Can we travel here ethically?

Story only

We tell the story. We do not sell a trip here.

Checked 6 Oct 2026. Places change, so we look again every year.

Sources for this check
The story

Where in Norfolk Island

We share these places as stories and research notes. We do not offer or sell trips here.

Emily Bay and Slaughter Bay

Story only

Two reef lagoon bays that are fully no-take, so fish and coral are left alone.

Also seen: Humpback whales (from the boat or shore, never in the water)

Animals

Animals recorded in Norfolk Island

Tap an animal to learn how it lives, where it travels and how to meet it respectfully.

Humpback whale swimming close with long pectoral finHumpback whaleMegaptera novaeangliaeSeen in 87 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernGreen turtle resting on the reef, shell and head pattern in sharp detailGreen turtleChelonia mydasSeen in 103 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernWedge-tailed shearwaters resting togetherWedge-tailed shearwaterArdenna pacificaSeen in 46 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernMasked booby on Ascension IslandMasked boobySula dactylatraSeen in 80 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernGrey noddy in Northland Region, New Zealand, iNaturalist research-grade observationGrey noddyAnous albivittaSeen in 5 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernRed-tailed tropicbird in Glendowie, Auckland, New Zealand, iNaturalist research-grade observationRed-tailed tropicbirdPhaethon rubricaudaSeen in 28 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernHawksbill turtle swimming, pointed beak in profileHawksbill turtleEretmochelys imbricataSeen in 88 countries in the AtlasCritically EndangeredSperm whale mother raising her fluke beside her calf off DominicaSperm whalePhyseter macrocephalusSeen in 114 countries in the AtlasVulnerableSchool of bigeye trevally swirling near the seabed at AmedBigeye trevallyCaranx sexfasciatusSeen in 48 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernTiger shark with clear stripes swimming over a reefTiger sharkGaleocerdo cuvierSeen in 47 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedWhite shark swimming under sunlit surface with small fish nearbyWhite sharkCarcharodon carchariasSeen in 17 countries in the AtlasVulnerableBluestreak cleaner wrasse with black stripe and blue tailBluestreak cleaner wrasseLabroides dimidiatusSeen in 51 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernGalápagos shark swimming low over a rocky seabedGalápagos sharkCarcharhinus galapagensisSeen in 15 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernSandbar shark with its tall dorsal fin over a sandy seabed in HawaiʻiSandbar sharkCarcharhinus plumbeusSeen in 19 countries in the AtlasEndangeredPortuguese man o' war floating with purple crest off Pico, AzoresPortuguese man o' warPhysalia physalisSeen in 36 countries in the AtlasNot EvaluatedBlack noddy perched in a shrub on Tern Island, French Frigate ShoalsBlack noddyAnous minutusSeen in 37 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernAdult brown booby standing on a rock with its bill open against blue sky, PrincipeBrown boobySula leucogasterSeen in 104 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernThree black-browed albatrosses with their bills together at a Steeple Jason Island colony, against blue skyBlack-browed albatrossThalassarche melanophrisSeen in 21 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernClose view of a red-footed booby head with blue, pink and red bill and throat skin among green leavesRed-footed boobySula sulaSeen in 91 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernGreat cormorant perched on a branch, with white head plumes and a glossy blue-black backGreat cormorantPhalacrocorax carboSeen in 90 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernHuge flock of sooty shearwaters flying low over the sea beside a rocky coastSooty shearwaterArdenna griseaSeen in 53 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedGreat frigatebird in flight, with long angled wings and a forked tailGreat frigatebirdFregata minorSeen in 44 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernTahiti petrel in flight over the sea, dark above with a white bellyTahiti petrelPseudobulweria rostrataSeen in 15 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedDusky shark swimming just under the surface of blue waterDusky sharkCarcharhinus obscurusSeen in 11 countries in the AtlasEndangeredLittle pied cormorant head and neck by the water, with a white face and yellow billLittle pied cormorantMicrocarbo melanoleucosSeen in 10 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernLittle black cormorant perched on a rock at the water's edge, speckled grey-green plumage and slender billLittle black cormorantPhalacrocorax sulcirostrisSeen in 7 countries in the AtlasLeast Concern
Curious?

Why this is a story, not a trip

Read our ethics check above. If you would like to talk about it, Rocío is happy to explain.

Ask RocíoBack to the Ocean Atlas

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