Dive Reports – June & July 2017
Take a look at our dive reports from June and July in 2017! We’ve detailed what we saw, the temperature and visibility, and surface conditions of the Solitary Islands in Coffs Harbour in June & July 2017.
Dive Reports June & July 2017 – Table of Contents:
8TH JUNE 2017 – TOORMINA MARINE STUDIES SNORKEL THE SOLITARY ISLANDS
The beautiful clear water made yesterday a perfect opportunity for the Toormina High School Marine studies class to get out and explore the Solitary Islands.
South West Solitary Island was the first pick with plenty of schooling fish and some big Eastern Blue Gropers on the bottom, after morning tea and a short trip they arrived at Split Solitary Island to be welcomed by some turtles, Wobbegongs, Stingrays, Bullseye fish near the boat and lots of colourful Cleaner Wrasse on the bottom.
Thank you to Andrew Willhoite and his Marine Studies class from Toormina High School for the great day!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 21°C
- Visibility: 12m-18m
Dive Report by Lindsay
16th June 2017 – Fishy Friday!
After a few days out of the water due to bad weather, we were all itching to get back out diving today.
Manta Arch was full of Grey Nurse Sharks, while the Cleaner Station and Boulder Wall were teeming with fish life. Lots of Black Cod, Eagle Rays, Green Turtles and a Giant Cuttlefish were just some of the highlights!
Oh yeah, our baby Clown Triggerfish is still about. Her colours are more vibrant than ever before!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 15m
Dive Report by Andy
17th June 2017 – Rainy Day Well Spent!
Keen divers endured the rainy weather for some great diving at South Solitary Island. Manta Arch and Cleaner Station were the first picks, then exploring Shark Gutters for the Second. Our divers encountered half a dozen big Grey Nurse Sharks, Loggerhead Turtles, Eagle Rays, Frog Fish, Orangutan Crab, Lionfish, Big Black Cods, Groupers, Loads of Schooling fish and plenty of Wobbys.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 8m-10m
Dive Report by Andy
22nd June 2017 – Griffith University Dive Club Explores South Solitary Island!
Griffith Uni Dive Club embraced the rolling swell for a couple of great dives at South SolitaryIsland. Divers explored Cleaner Station and South Boulder Wall, while also experiencing a close encounter with a Humpback Whale during our surface Interval. Other Marine life include a few Grey Nurse Sharks, Half-Circle Angelfish, Clown Trigger Fish, Bull Rays, Black Cods, Groupers, Turtles, Eagle Rays, A Giant Cuttlefish, Mantis Shrimp, Painted Crayfish, Moray Eels and Loads of Schooling Fish.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 8m-10m
Dive Report by Andy
23rd June 2017 – Shark Days Are The Best Days!
Conditions improved significantly, making Griffith Uni’s Dive Club last day memorable at South Solitary. Manta Arch and then Shark Gutters and South Boulder were today’s dive sites, with over a dozen Grey Nurse Sharks, Bull Rays, Black Cod, Lionfish, Groupers, Turtles, EagleRay, Giant Cuttlefish, Clown Triggerfish and loads of scooling fish.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 20m
Dive Report by Andy
24th JUNE 2017 – Divers enjoy whale song!
Making the most of a beautiful winters day, our divers enjoyed two great dives at South Solitary Island this morning. Manta Arch was up first. Our divers were all smiles as they made their way though the Arch which was packed with Grey Nurse and schooling Trevally.
Dive Two was spent exploring the Cleaner Station and Shark Gutters area. The highlights included Grey Nurse Sharks, two Giant Cuttlefish, Bullrays, Turtles, Lionfish and so much more!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 21°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Andy
25th June 2017 – Giant Cuttlefish Patrol Boulder Wall
Loaded with excited divers, we shot out to South Solitary Island for two very awesome dives today! The Island was buzzing with life! Our divers swam with Grey Nurse Sharks, Black Cod, our Juvenile Clown Triggerfish, Eagle Rays, two Giant Cuttlefish, huge schools of Tarwhine and Goatfish, plus Green and Hawksbill Turtles!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 21°C
- Visibility: 15m
Dive Report by Andy
7th July 2017 – Grey Nurse Sharks Everywhere!
Today’s action included over a dozen Grey Nurse Sharks at Manta Arch and multiple pods of Whales singing and splashing about. Also, Turtles, Bull rays, Moray Eels, juvenile Clown Trigger, Blue Gropers, Black Cods, Wobbygongs, more Grey Nurse Sharks, and loads of Schooling Fish.
Congratulations Huw in completing his PADI Scuba Diver Course and Olly for completing his PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course, well done!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 12m
Dive Report by Andy
8th July 2017 – Giant Cuttlefish, Grey nurse Sharks and Whales!
Today’s dives at South Solitary did not disappoint. Divers were greeted with three Giant Cuttlefish around South Boulder, and loads of Grey Nurse Sharks at the Arch and Cleaner Station. Also, Turtles, Eagle Rays, Bull Rays, juvenile Trigger Clown Fish, Moray Eels, Octopus, Black Cod, Blue Groupers, Nudibranchs, Lionfish and so many Schooling Fish.
Congratulations Logan, Wayne and Josh in completing their PADI Open Water Diver Course, and Ian and Louise, who completed their PADI Advanced Open Water course, well done!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C-20°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Andy
15th July 2017 – International Women’s Dive Day!
In celebration of International Women’s Dive Day, we scooted out to South Solitary Island for a couple of amazing dives. Grey Nurse Sharks and Barney the Loggerhead Turtle were the highlights for our first dive at Manta Arch, followed by three separate encounters with Giant Cuttlefish! Also, more Turtles, Lionfish, Nudibranchs, Bullrays, Black Cod, Blue Groupers and plenty of Schooling fish.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 15m
Dive Report by Andy
29th July 2017 – Whales Getting Frisky At South Solitary Island!
After some time out of the water, we were all eager to explore the depths of South Solitary Island. Divers experienced a rare encounter of four Humpback whales swimming back and fourth between our boat “2 Wild” and the Island on our surface interval. We believe the whales were in pursuit of one female, and she was playing hard to get! We also enjoyed plenty of Grey Nurse Sharks around Shark Gutters and Cleaner Station, and our Cuttlefish are still lurking about South Boulder Wall. Turtles, Rays, Wobbys, Nudis, Lionfish, Groupers, Black Cod, and many schooling fish were also seen while diving.
Congratulations Stephen in completing his PADI Advanced Open Water Course, well done!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 8m-10m
Dive Report by Andy
30th July 2017 – A Sunny Winters Dive
It was another calm sunny morning out at South Solitary Island. Divers at Manta Arch and students at Cleaner Station encountered half a dozen Grey Nurse Sharks, a school of Cownose Rays, Bat Fish, Groupers, Lionfish, Black Cod, Turtles, Wobbys, Nudis, Half-circled Angelfish and an array of Schooling Fish.
Congratulations Camila in completing the PADI Open Water Diver Course
Visibility 8-10m Temperature 19c
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 8m-10m
Dive Report by Andy
