Emily Bay

Emily Bay, tucked beside the historic settlement of Kingston, is the loveliest and most popular beach on Norfolk Island, a beautiful sheltered lagoon of calm, clear turquoise water. Protected by an offshore coral reef that tames the Pacific swell, its gentle, shallow waters are wonderfully safe for swimming and paddling, ideal for families, and clear enough for pleasant snorkelling among fish and coral. Fringed by tall Norfolk Island pines and green lawns, and backed by the atmospheric Georgian buildings of Kingston, the bay combines natural beauty with a striking historic setting. Whether for a swim, a snorkel, a picnic beneath the pines or simply relaxing by turquoise water, Emily Bay is the tranquil jewel of the island's coast.

What you actually see

• The turquoise lagoon - the calm, clear reef-sheltered water.
• The safe swimming - the gentle shallows ideal for families.
• The snorkelling - the fish and coral in the lagoon.
• The pine-fringed setting - the pines, lawns and historic backdrop.

When to go

November to April, the warmer months, bring the best conditions for swimming and snorkelling in the lagoon, when the water is warmest; Norfolk's mild subtropical climate means the bay is lovely much of the year. Calm, sunny days are best for the reef and clear water.

Honest expectations

Emily Bay is a small, sheltered lagoon beach rather than a vast stretch of sand, and it is the island's most popular, so it can be busy in peak season, though rarely crowded by wider standards. As a beautiful, calm turquoise lagoon safe for swimming and snorkelling, fringed by pines beside historic Kingston, though, Emily Bay is a genuinely tranquil and lovely jewel.

Nearby

Kingston, its convict ruins and the coastal walks lie alongside.