Ball's Pyramid

About this dive site

Prepare for an underwater spectacle at the legendary Ball's Pyramid, where the ocean's energy is on full display. You'll be engulfed by colossal, swirling schools of Violet Sweep, Rainbow Runners, and powerful Amberjack that move as one. The deep blue is a thoroughfare for pelagic titans, with frequent sightings of prowling Marlin, sleek Wahoo, graceful Turtles, and playful Dolphins, alongside rare Galapagos Whalers.

But the true treasure of this world-class site is the chance to witness the incredibly rare Ballina Angelfish—a stunning species you can see scuba diving nowhere else on the planet. Chaetodontoplus ballinae, the Ballina angelfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a marine angelfish, belonging to the family Pomacanthidae. It is endemic to eastern Australia. It inhabits subtropical waters at depths ranging from 15 to 120 metres (49 to 394 feet). It is typically found on deep offshore coastal reefs and around seamounts. The species is relatively common near Ball’s Pyramid, off Lord Howe Island, where it can be observed in deep habitats featuring large boulders, rock piles, peaks, caves, and crevices. Ball’s Pyramid is one of the few locations where the Ballina angelfish has ever been photographed. Despite these sightings, little is known about its biology; individuals are usually seen alone or in pairs.