Dive Reports – February 2015
Take a look at our dive reports form February 2015! We’ve detailed what we saw, the temperature and visibility, and surface conditions of the Solitary Islands in Coffs Harbour in February 2015.
Table of Contents:
1ST FEBRUARY 2015 – CLEAR WATER UNDER THE SAFETY STOP!!
It had been a good six days since we had last dived at the Lighthouse.
Today we had Wildfin full of punters and more staff than you could poke a stick at!!
Dive one had us drop a couple of the certified divers off at Manta Arch so they could do a one way swim to Cleaner Station where the rest of the crew jumped in.
The water was an ugly green colour but to our surprise the temp below 5meters was 23C and the visibility was a beautiful 20m!!! Ours divers seen about 10-12 Grey Nurse sharks, Black Cod, Turtles, Lion Fish, some huge Kingys during Dive 2 which was from Cleaner Station to South Boulder with the addition of a few Slipper Lobsters, Nudibranchs, Blue Gropers, and four amazing Pennant Fish on Boulder Wall.
Congratulations to Jan and Michael for becoming PADI Open Water Divers!!
Conditions Report:
- Southerly lump, minimal wind
- Temperature: 22°C-25°C
- Visibility: 5m-20m
Dive Report by Lindsay Devery
8TH FEBRUARY 2015 – 30 M VISIBILITY AT SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND!!
Seven whole days we have been waiting to get out to South Solitary Island!! With the long period of southerlies we had high expectations on visibility and water temp.
Once we got to the island there was a slight green colour and looked around 10m vis, but once at the bottom the visibility was breath taking with and easy 30m!!!
The clear visibility tends to push the Grey Nurse Sharks a little deeper so none were seen today, however we did see Bullrays, Turtles, Black Cod, White eyed eels, Wobbygongs, plenty of Nudibranchs and the most beautiful Blue Anglefish near South Boulder.
Congratulations to Imogen and Jack for completing their PADI Scuba Diver course today!!!
Conditons Report:
- Very flat and calm
- Temperature: 25°C
- Visibility: 25m-30m
Dive Report by Lindsay
9TH FEBRUARY 2015 – TURTLES EVERYWHERE AT SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND
The ocean this morning was beautiful and calm which got the excitement up for the amazing dives ahead.
Dive one was a drift from Buchanan’s Wall to The Gantry, visibility was around 10-12m and had a slight green colour. Our divers saw Wobbygongs, Lionfish, Green sea turtles, tiny Moray eels and a monster Octopus at the bottom of The Gantry mooring.
Snorkelers and Scuba divers did another drift from Cleaner Station to The Gantry for dive two. There was no sightings of Grey Nurse Sharks again today but the divers did see lots and lots of turtles both Hawksbill and Green-Sea turtles, Black Cod, Eagle Rays, some large Snapper near the gap and beautiful Blue Tangs on 5m rock.
Congratulations to Cobie for getting back into the big blue after a long period out of the water!!
Conditions Report:
- Southerly breeze calm up the top end
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 12m-20m
Dive Report by Lindsay
10TH FEBRUARY 2015 – CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEWLY CERTIFIED DIVERS
With “Wildfin” loaded with excited divers, we shot out to South Solitary Island this morning in search of blue water.
Buchanan’s Wall was our first dive site, with lots to see, including Black Cod, a large Green Turtle, Morays, Octopus and a Spanish Dancer.
Today’s second dive was a leisurely drift from Cleaner Station to South Boulder Wall. No Grey Nurse today, lots of other life though including two Eagle Rays, Lionfish, lots of schooling Tarwhine and four turtles on the wall.
Congratulations to Colin, Sam, Gianluca and Alex on completing your PADI Open Water Dive Course today!
Conditions Report
- SE breeze making it a little bumpy on top.
- Temperature: 25°C
- Visibility: 12m-15m
Dive Report by Andy
11TH FEBRUARY 2015 – TURTLE CITY @ SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND!
The bumpy ride out was definitely worth it as we were awarded with two great dives today!
Buchanan’s Wall was full of life! Our divers spotted three Turtles, Moray Eels, Octopus, Wobbegong Sharks and some cool Nudi’s!
Today’s second was a drift dive from Shark Gutters to the Gantry. Grey Nurse, more Turtles, Black Cod and some big schooling Kingfish were spotted on this dive.
Conditions Report:
- Easterly breeze making it lumpy on top today.
- Temperature: 25°C
- Visibility: 12m
Dive Report by Andy
14TH FEBRUARY 2015 – VALENTINE’S DAY DIVING
After two days out of the water, Wildfin headed out to South Solitary in time for Valentine’s day. A bit of a bumpy ride out, but we were rewarded with some marvellous diving.
Visibility was a bit low but brought in a myriad of fish life, with divers spotting schools of stripeys, bullseyes, rabbitfish, and plenty of blue groupers. Lionfish, a few turtles and all sorts of nudis were also spotted.
Congratulations to Corey Adam for completing his Open Water Diver Course! Awesome job!
Conditions Report:
- Wind: 10 kts ESE, Swell: 1.8m
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 10m-12m
Dive Report by Andy
15TH FEBRUARY 2015 – DIVING SOUTH WEST SOLITARY
In search of blue water Wild-Fin ventured north to South West Solitary Island.
On today’s first dive our divers spotted a variety of life including Cuttlefish, Moray Eels, Nudibranches and a very curious Epaulette Shark.
Our second dive was a leisurely swim from the west to east moorings. Schools of Kingfish, Turtles and more Moray Eels were seen.
Conditions Report:
- Nice on top today
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visbility: 8-10m
Dive Report by Andy
16TH FEBRUARY 2015 – GREY NURSE ARE BACK @ SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND!
It was great to be diving with the Grey Nurse Sharks again after not seeing them the past few days.
The northern end of South Solitary Island was buzzing with life. All the usual suspects were spotted including Mangrove Jack, Black Cod, Grey Nurse Sharks, Green Turtles, Moray Eels and lots of schooling fish!
Conditions Report:
- Lovely on top today
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 8m-12m
Dive Report by Andy
17TH FEBRUARY 2015 – 30M VISIBILITY OUT AT THE LIGHTHOUSE
We ventured out to South Solitary Island with the prediction of the clear but green water… but the top end of the island was a cracking 26C and 30-35m visibility!!!
Dive 1 was at Buchanans Wall to let the ripping current ease up the top end for dive 2, a big Eastern Blue Groper near the mooring line, Turtles, Lionfish and Wobbygongs were seen everywhere.
Surface interval done and dusted Dive 2 was a ripping Drift Dive from Cleaner Station to The Gantry the visibility was an insane 30-35m!! The Grey Nurse Sharks were no where to be seen and ventured to deeper, cooler waters.
Boulder wall was packed with life including Tarwhine, Black Cod, Basslets, Eagle Rays, Turtles, and Nudibranchs everywhere!!
Photo was taken today…Check out the Visibility!!!!
Conditions Report:
- Easterly chop, nice on the western side
- Temperature: 26°C
- Visibility: 30m-35m
Dive Report by Lindsay
26TH FEBRUARY 2015 – BACK IN THE WATER @ SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND
After a week of no diving due to poor weather we were all itching to get back in for a dive today!
Buchanan’s Wall was today’s first dive site. Turtles, Black Cod, Lionfish, Moray Eels a cheeky Octopus and a Dart Goby were the highlights on this dive.
Everyone’s favorite drift dive from Cleaner Station to the Gantry was second on the agenda. Unfortunately no Grey Nurse were spotted but thousands of schooling fish, some HUGE Black Cod, Mangrove Jack and Kingfish were spotted by our divers!
Conditions Report:
- Perfect surface conditions today
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Andy
27TH FEBRUARY 2015 – DIVERS ENJOY BLUE WATER @ SOUTH SOLITARY!
Calm seas made for smooth sailing aboard “Wildfin” to South Solitary Island this morning.
Buchanan’s Wall made for a great first dive. All the usual suspects were out and about including Lionfish, Black Cod, Green Turtles, Moray Eels and even a small Mantis Shrimp!
Shark Gutters was our second port of call. More Turtles, schooling Tarwhine, Kingfish, Surgeon Fish, Spanish Dancers and a Bullray were spotted by our divers.
Conditions Report:
- Smooth on top today
- Temp 24C
- Vis 25m
Dive Report by Andy
28th February 2015 – 25m Vis, 26 Degrees at South Solitary Island!
What a day of diving! Soooo much to see at South Solitary Island! Eagle Rays, Turtles, HUGE Black Cod, Moray Eels, Kingfish, Trevally and much much more! Vis a massive 25m at the northern end of the island! Temp a toasty 26C on the bottom!
Conditions Report:
- Lovely on top!
- Temp 26C
- Vis 25m
Dive Report by Andy
