Lord Howe Environmental Tours
Lord Howe Environmental Tours
5
Scuba & SnorkellingBoat ToursHiking & Camping ToursNature & Wildlife ToursKayaking & Canoeing
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
Established in 1998, Lord Howe Environmental Tours provides a wide variety of unique adventures. Tours include: Coral Viewing & Snorkelling The Coral Viewing and Snorkelling Tour is the ultimate way to experience the lagoons premier reef and coral holes. This two hour tour focuses on exploring the profuse coral seascape and introduces visitors to some of the more unusual lagoon inhabitants such as the endemic double-header wrasse, stingrays and turtles. Mt Gower Trek The Mount Gower Trek justly deserves its ranking as one of Australia’s top day walks. Taking approximately five hours to reach the summit at 875 metres and another four hours to return, this trek should not be taken lightly. During the trek you will enjoy the views of Balls Pyramid, Mt Lidgbird, the lagoon and the Island’s northern settlement area. You will also discover the mist forest on the summit of Mt Gower containing trees, ferns, mosses and orchids seen nowhere else on the planet. Specialty Snorkelling Tour For the snorkelling enthusiast join us on our two hour Specialty Snorkelling Tour to four or more of the lagoons most amazing coral gardens. Enjoy snorkelling within the calm pristine waters of the lagoon and marvel at the diversity of this reef environment. The specialty Snorkelling Tour has been developed specifically by Lord Howe Environmental Tours to enable snorkelers to experience the greatest range of coral communities and fish fauna within the Island’s stunning lagoon. We take you to four amazing locations on this tour. We have a wide selection of other tours, including: Guided Kayak Tours Private Glass Bottom Boat Charters Admiralty Island Guided Kayak Tour Night Snorkelling Tour Blackburn Island, Natural History and Seabird Tour North Bay and North Head Natural History Tour We also hire: 1 and 2 person Kayaks Paddle Boards Mask, Snorkels and Fins
Lord Howe Island, Australia
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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Lord Howe Environmental Tours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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5.0
280 reviews
Excellent
256
Very good
15
Average
3
Poor
5
Terrible
1
Sean M
2 contributions
Dec 2024 • Family
I did the Mount Gower hike with Kayla as the guide. There was a good balance of local information and getting the hike done. Kayla set a good pace and provided reassurance and advice to the group in navigating some of the tougher sections of the hike.
I came to Lord Howe Island 30 years ago and regretted not doing the Mount Gower hike back then. It was tough going at times but well worth the effort if you’re in reasonable shape and don’t mind exerting yourself. If your not comfortable being uncomfortable may want to think twice about doing this hike.
I came to Lord Howe Island 30 years ago and regretted not doing the Mount Gower hike back then. It was tough going at times but well worth the effort if you’re in reasonable shape and don’t mind exerting yourself. If your not comfortable being uncomfortable may want to think twice about doing this hike.
Written 29 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We thank you for taking the time to leave us with a review, and we are happy to hear that you enjoyed your experience with Kayla up Mt Gower. See you next time! 😊
Written 2 January 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
sonjaamato
Leeton, Australia82 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
We went on the Coral Viewing and Snorkelling tour. The day was perfect and the staff were caring and amazing. There knowledge of the reef and island was second to none. Willing to answer any questions that they were asked.
The glass bottom boat was clean and inviting and the view of the reef was beautiful. While some of the tourists snorkelled one of the tour guides jumped in and feed some of the fish under the boat to attract them to the glass bottom so those of us not wanting to snorkel had plenty to look at. We got to see many different types of fish and coral, and would recommend everyone visiting Lord Howe Island to go on the tour.
The glass bottom boat was clean and inviting and the view of the reef was beautiful. While some of the tourists snorkelled one of the tour guides jumped in and feed some of the fish under the boat to attract them to the glass bottom so those of us not wanting to snorkel had plenty to look at. We got to see many different types of fish and coral, and would recommend everyone visiting Lord Howe Island to go on the tour.
Written 16 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a 5-star review. We're so glad to hear that you were satisfied with our Snorkel Tour. Our team is very passionate about what they do, and your feedback is a great encouragement to us.
Written 28 October 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Galapagoswhaler
canberra45 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
We have been visiting LHI for almost 30 years. Environmental Tours has been a constant reminder of everything that is good about the island in our 12 or so visits over that time.
We never tire of our visits to the best snorkelling sites in the lagoon and always enjoy the experience.
We have seen generational change in the operators of the tours but the professionalism, standard of service and value for money keep us coming back.
We never tire of our visits to the best snorkelling sites in the lagoon and always enjoy the experience.
We have seen generational change in the operators of the tours but the professionalism, standard of service and value for money keep us coming back.
Written 30 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review and for coming back to our business, we are so happy to hear that you love Lord Howe just as much as we do!
Written 27 April 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
kd3165
Surrey, United Kingdom5 contributions
Dec 2024 • Family
Whilst on LH we did the Ultimate Snorkelling trip and the Mount Gower climb with LHET. Both were excellent and well organised. The coral and the fish were lovely and we also saw a lionfish, sting ray and Galapagos shark.
Kayla guided us on the Mount Gower climb and she was very informative. Our group of 11 all moved at similar pace and we completed by 2:30pm. It is very tiring and a very good work out for the quads and calves but well worth it. The views from the top are amazing and it’s exhilarating to complete the hike. 15 years ago we did it with Dean with our 8 year old twins and he was also an excellent guide - it seemed harder this time!
Strongly recommend people do the hike but be aware it’s hard work.
Kayla guided us on the Mount Gower climb and she was very informative. Our group of 11 all moved at similar pace and we completed by 2:30pm. It is very tiring and a very good work out for the quads and calves but well worth it. The views from the top are amazing and it’s exhilarating to complete the hike. 15 years ago we did it with Dean with our 8 year old twins and he was also an excellent guide - it seemed harder this time!
Strongly recommend people do the hike but be aware it’s hard work.
Written 23 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review for both our day trek up Mt Gower and our Ultimate Snorkel tour, we are happy to hear you enjoyed this special place and hopefully see you back here soon!
Written 2 January 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Megan F
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Couples
A real achievement in ascending to the summit of Mt Gower expertly guided by Kayla. We were blessed to have a clear and sunny day, with little wind for the duration of the hike and there is no better view of LHI than from the lookout at the summit. This is no ordinary hike. It involves vertical rope climbs, boulder and rock scrambling and walking along cliff ledges. I was glad I got the memo from friends beforehand who had recently completed it and brought gloves for the rope sections. Kayla kept us moving at a good pace with regular stops and informative commentary about the flora and fauna. So glad to have done this hike but do your research beforehand and be prepared. It's legs day, cardio and upper body session all-in-one!
Written 15 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We thank you for your kind and informative review of our Mt Gower Trek. We are so pleased you enjoyed the day, the challenges and rewards and we hope to see you again one day!
Written 15 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ronald H
Berry, Australia2 contributions
Feb 2025 • Solo
As a 70 year old, I was looked after by our guide Kayla whom always waited for me and with the others on the tour also keeping an eye out for me. A personal challenge that stretched me to my limit however was so worth it! LH Environmental Tours were very professional and had their systems in place where the ground was informed all the way with the progress and condition of those on the trek. This mad you feel very safe and secure. Well worth the muscle pain!!!
Written 4 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
claire_bod
Manly, Australia13 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
In the last 3 days we have done both the 2-hr snorkelling tour, and a private guided climb of Mt Gower, with Lord Howe Environmental Tours. Both were absolute standout highlights of our trip and we would highly recommend.
The snorkel tour was fantastic - we were given all the gear and a very thorough briefing, then had opportunities to visit multiple snorkel spots. The variety of coral and fish is completely unparalleled, couldn’t recommend this experience more highly! We had plenty of time to drift round observing the stunning marine life, and never felt rushed.
The experience of hiking Mt Gower was second to none. Dean was an absolute legend start to finish. He mentioned he doesn’t often do private tours for groups who want to walk up and down, as the private tours tend to be for runners who want to do it in super quick time (I was previously unconvinced a mere mortal could run either up or down this mountain, but having observed Dean in his natural habitat I am now convinced he is part mountain goat). However - we had been disorganised and were preparing ourselves for the likelihood that we’d miss out on the chance to hike Mt Gower as we’d left it too late to book. However Dean and Ros pulled some strings and made it happen for us and we are so grateful they did as this day turned out to be the standout experiences of our trip.
We got the full experience including access to Dean’s incomparable local knowledge of the flora and fauna - he was ranger for Lord Howe for 16yrs previously, and is such a wealth of amazing info on the island. The hike itself was honestly punishing, but such a worthwhile experience and our entire party of 4 made it all the way up and back down in around 8hrs. We found the climb back down tougher than the way up, relying on us being able to use ropes for the steep sections (which are extensive). This is definitely a grade 5 (if not higher 🤣) hike - but if you’ve got good fitness and like a challenge, you won’t find a better or more rewarding way to spend a day.
Dean - thank you so much for going out of your way to make such an incredible experience possible for us. We really appreciate it and wish you all the very best - next time we’re on Lord Howe we might not be scaling the mountain again but we’ll definitely buy you a beer!
All the best
Claire, Christina, Joe + Muneeb (aka pioneer of the triple rope back twist / fellow short term pessimist long term optimist)
The snorkel tour was fantastic - we were given all the gear and a very thorough briefing, then had opportunities to visit multiple snorkel spots. The variety of coral and fish is completely unparalleled, couldn’t recommend this experience more highly! We had plenty of time to drift round observing the stunning marine life, and never felt rushed.
The experience of hiking Mt Gower was second to none. Dean was an absolute legend start to finish. He mentioned he doesn’t often do private tours for groups who want to walk up and down, as the private tours tend to be for runners who want to do it in super quick time (I was previously unconvinced a mere mortal could run either up or down this mountain, but having observed Dean in his natural habitat I am now convinced he is part mountain goat). However - we had been disorganised and were preparing ourselves for the likelihood that we’d miss out on the chance to hike Mt Gower as we’d left it too late to book. However Dean and Ros pulled some strings and made it happen for us and we are so grateful they did as this day turned out to be the standout experiences of our trip.
We got the full experience including access to Dean’s incomparable local knowledge of the flora and fauna - he was ranger for Lord Howe for 16yrs previously, and is such a wealth of amazing info on the island. The hike itself was honestly punishing, but such a worthwhile experience and our entire party of 4 made it all the way up and back down in around 8hrs. We found the climb back down tougher than the way up, relying on us being able to use ropes for the steep sections (which are extensive). This is definitely a grade 5 (if not higher 🤣) hike - but if you’ve got good fitness and like a challenge, you won’t find a better or more rewarding way to spend a day.
Dean - thank you so much for going out of your way to make such an incredible experience possible for us. We really appreciate it and wish you all the very best - next time we’re on Lord Howe we might not be scaling the mountain again but we’ll definitely buy you a beer!
All the best
Claire, Christina, Joe + Muneeb (aka pioneer of the triple rope back twist / fellow short term pessimist long term optimist)
Written 13 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We greatly appreciate you for taking the time to write up a review for our company, our team is very thankful!
We are also so pleased to hear that you enjoyed your time in Lord Howe and all of the adventures you embarked on!
Hopefully we will see you next time! :)
Written 28 October 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Libby
2 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
With ceaseless rain through the night prior to our climb, I had visions of land slides and slippery conditions. The latter proved true, tree roots and vegetation underfoot tricky to negotiate.
Dean calmly and expertly guided us along and up some very challenging terrain. The challenge being not only about the physicality required but also the mental aspect of the climb. This climb was unlike anything my husband and I had done previously, however infinitely satisfying to complete.
Having arrived on LHI the previous day, we frequently glanced up at Mt Gower to see it shrouded in cloud. Beneath the cloud was a ‘cloud forest’, an unexpected wet, rainforest of vegetation. Cymbidium orchids, berries, lichen, ferns and mushrooms growing wildly.
Our summit revealed Lord Howe Island in a blaze of sunshine and a sky blackened with Providence Petrel birds. The petrels soaring gracefully overhead but clumsily, landing and rolling down steep slopes, squabbling for space and a mate to nest with in the many burrows. They were so entertaining to watch, an unexpected privilege in nature.
Mt Gower did not disappoint. Close to 8 hours later we were back where we started. So grateful to be fit and able to enjoy the experience and appreciate all that is Mt Gower.
Dean calmly and expertly guided us along and up some very challenging terrain. The challenge being not only about the physicality required but also the mental aspect of the climb. This climb was unlike anything my husband and I had done previously, however infinitely satisfying to complete.
Having arrived on LHI the previous day, we frequently glanced up at Mt Gower to see it shrouded in cloud. Beneath the cloud was a ‘cloud forest’, an unexpected wet, rainforest of vegetation. Cymbidium orchids, berries, lichen, ferns and mushrooms growing wildly.
Our summit revealed Lord Howe Island in a blaze of sunshine and a sky blackened with Providence Petrel birds. The petrels soaring gracefully overhead but clumsily, landing and rolling down steep slopes, squabbling for space and a mate to nest with in the many burrows. They were so entertaining to watch, an unexpected privilege in nature.
Mt Gower did not disappoint. Close to 8 hours later we were back where we started. So grateful to be fit and able to enjoy the experience and appreciate all that is Mt Gower.
Written 25 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are so grateful for your 5-star review and happy to hear that you experienced a challenging but very rewarding day up Mt Gower. Thanks for sharing your rating with us and the community.
Written 27 April 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
kazsd2021
Sydney, Australia15 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
I took part in the Mt Gower trek. It was certainly not an easy day - took close to 10 hours. Lots of rope work- bring protective gloves. Going back down was very slippery-had a few stacks. Bring bandaids. Guide was informative but both he and bus driver left before 3 of us completed walk leaving us stranded with no phone reception. I had bleeding cuts on legs and required help. We managed to get to closest accommodation lodge where we were kindly assisted. Not a great finish to the day!
Written 19 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margaret S
Essendon, Australia2 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
Dean and Taylor did a magnificent job with challenging wind and extra low tides to get us into some coral viewing thru the glass bottom boat. The snorkelling for both of us was just incredible, the variety of coral beds like gardens, colouful fish and even a couple of Galapagos sharks that were not interested in us. Great knowledgeable staff and at all times had our safety in mind. Thankyou.
Written 7 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for leaving us a beautiful review, we are pleased to hear that your experience was well worth it and that you got to enjoy our wonderful reef life.
😊
Written 9 May 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Browsing after the SBS documentary last night. Have you been to Eilat, Israel? The Red Sea there in 1963 revealed the most astonishing moment of my life but I don't know if it has all been souvenired by now After seeing the Shearwater chicks' bellies full of plastic I thought of volunteering on Lord Howe to help with a clean-up but I also see to my astonishment the glorious marine life - right on my doorstep.
Written 15 December 2019
No, I haven't been to Eilat, Israel. Don't believe everything you see on TV.
Written 8 January 2020
Hi, I am an active senior and I can snorkel, but get a bit frightened in deep water when snorkelling on my own. Unfortunately my hubby hates the water and won't go in. Is there anyone on the island who would be willing to buddy me if I have to snorkel in deep water on my own? (I will pay). My goal is to see a turtle swimming nearby and use my underwater camera to film it, or my buddy to film it for me.
Please help! ( I have been to Lady Elliot island and was so disappointed not to see a turtle. Also the crew on the glass bottom boat couldnt care less about me and did not offer to come in the water with me or help me up the steep steps) .We are at LHI for 6 full days so am hoping for the best.
thanks in anticipation
Written 6 October 2016
thanks so much Dean. We will be at LHI from Nov 19 - 25 so will be in touch nearer the dates. How long in advance do you think I need to book?
Written 8 October 2016
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