Dive Reports – June 2021
Take a look at our dive reports from June 2021! We’ve detailed what we saw, the temperature and visibility, and surface conditions of the Solitary Islands in Coffs Harbour in June 2021.
Dive Reports June 2021 – Table of Contents:
3RD JUNE 2021 – WHALES SINGING AT SOUTH SOLITARY PLUS A CURIOUS BATFISH
After nearly 2 weeks out of action due to poor conditions, “2 Wild” made it’s way out to South Solitary with student and certified divers. On the boat trip out, divers were even lucky enough to see several breaching Humpback Whales.
For the first dive we chose to dive Shark Gutters, where we saw lots of Wobbegong Sharks, Moray Eels, Anenome Fish, Black Cod, Lionfish, Nudibranchs plus a curious Batfish who tagged along for practically the whole dive (pic by cassie!)
The choice for the second dive was Buchanans Wall. During this dive, we had plenty of background noise, as Humpback Whales were singing throughout the entirety of the dive. In addition, we had a large Green Sea Turtle, Bull Rays, Pufferfish, Lionfish, more Moray Eels.
Also congrats to Daniel who finished off his PADI Open Water Course today.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 21°C
- Visibility: Milky 10m-12m
Dive Report by Tara
6th June 2021 – Minkie Whale Sighted On Our Way Out To South Soliary Island
Great conditions on the water made for a quick trip out to South Solitary Island this morning on “2Wild”. On the way out, Humpback Whales and also a lonely Minkie Whale were sighted.
All the certified and student divers dropped in on Shark Gutters for the first dive, exploring the top end of the Island. Heaps of marine life around including Black Cod, Wobbegong Sharks, Bull eyes, Stripeys, and the student divers were lucky enough to see there first Grey Nurse Shark.
After some warm soup in the surface interval it was decided a nice drift dive from Shark Gutters to South Boulder would be the go. “What a great dive”, a huge Green Turtle and three Eagle-Rays cruised by and along Boulder Wall, Lionfish, Black Cod, Bull-rays and Schooling fish every where. Todays pic is a couple of our local divers, Felix and Andrew.
Congratulations to Tanya on completing her PADI Open Water Diver Course.
Vis 15 Metres.
Water Temp 21 Degrees.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 21°C
- Visibility: 15m
Dive Report by Tara
7th June 2021 – Giant Cuttlefish Spotted!
Today 2 Wild headed out to South Solitary for a double dive!
For the first dive we had one group head down into Shark Gutters, with another group heading from Cleaner Station to South Boulder. At Shark Gutters we had students doing their skills for their final two dives in the Open Water Course, and a student doing her first dive on the Advanced Open Water Course. They spotted a turtle, one Grey Nurse Shark, and plenty of black cod, along with a swimming wobbegong and plenty of schooling fish. Our group that dived Cleaner Station to South Boulder saw a Mantis Shrimp, Eagle Rays and Grey Nurses, along with a Giant Cuttlefish – qutie early in the year for us!
For the second dive all divers headed to Manta Arch. Here 15+ Grey Nurses were spotted, along with a turtle and our resident turtle Barney (Pictured with some of our students in today’s image!). We saw some Moray Eels, plenty of schooling fish, Blue Groupers and Black Cod, Nudibranches, and some Old Wives.
We saw some Whales on the trip home too!
Many congratulations to our students Kiara, Barbara, Myles, Josh, and Peter for completing their PADI Open Water Diver Course – Great work!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 21°C
- Visibility: 10m
Dive Report by Tara
12th June 2021- ” Superb Saturday”
After a few days out of the water, “2Wild” steamed out to South Solitary this morning with a full boat of certified and student divers. The Certified divers dropped in on Manta Arch for their first dive, while students made there way round to Cleaner Station. At least 20 Grey Nurse Sharks were seen between Manta Arch and Cleaner Station along with Black Cod, a large Green Turtle, Lionfish, and a cool Bull-ray cruising around.
After morning tea, all the divers dropped in at Cleaner Station making their way round to South Boulder. On this dive, Eagle-Rays, Grey Nurse Sharks in the gutters, Moray Eels, Nudibranchs, Octopus, and schools of Silver Trevelly, Stripeys and Fusilers were amongst the abundant marine life.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 10m
Dive Report by Lindsay
13th June 2021 – Snorkel and Dive Delight
Once again we were welcomed this morning with lovely conditions as we took “2 Wild” out to South Solitary Island. We had a mix of certified and student divers in addition to snorkelers who were all keen for what South Solitary has to offer.
First up we had divers and snorkelers rolling in at Shark Gutters, where they were greeted by warmer blue water, along with a few Grey Nurse Sharks, Eagle Rays, countless Wobbegong Sharks, friendly Blue Grouper’s, and constant fish life throughout the dive.
We decided to do a drift from Shark Gutters to The Gantry for the second dive and snorkel, with a nice current allowing all to explore the majority of the western side of the island. Highlights from this dive include loads of Green Sea and Hawksbill Turtles, large Black Cod, Wobbegong Sharks, cool colourful Nudibranchs, and an abundance of fish life including Fusiler’s, Stripey’s, along with Blue Tang’s and Anemone Fish. Some divers were even lucky enough to listen to Humpback Whales singing throughout the dive.
Also Congratulations to Trish who finished off her PADI Open Water Course today.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 21°C
- Visibility: 15m
Dive Report by Lindsay
14th June 2021 – Visibility improving at South Solitary
Once again we had great diving conditions today at South Solitary Island, with the visibility seeming to be improving each day. First up we rolled in at Cleaner Station and checked out all of the gutters, spotting Grey Nurse Sharks, countless Wobbegong Sharks, Lionfish, Nudibranchs, Moray Eels, and once again great fish life for all to see. The second dive was a gentle drift from Cleaner Station, down to The Gantry, where divers managed to see Green Sea Turtles, Hawksbill Turtles, Blotched Fantail Rays, more Grey Nurse Sharks, and large Black Cod.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 15m
Dive Report by Lindsay
18th June 2021- Magic Conditions At South Solitary Island
2Wild headed out to South Solitary Island today with a boat full of certified divers and snorkelers, on the way out we were lucky enough to see a pod of Humpback whales making there way up the coast.
All divers dropped in at Manta Arch for their first dive while the snorkelers made there way through the Gap. We had at least twenty Grey Nurse Sharks in the Arch and around the surrounding Gutters, Wobbegong sharks, schooling Trevelly and a Mantis Shrimp were just some of the other marine life spotted.
Surface interval done the divers decended down Shark Gutters mooring, making there way round to the Gantry taking advantage of a slight current heading South. Divers managed to see Green Turtles, Hawksbill Turles, Black Cod, Eagle Rays, Bull rays, and Blue Tangs. Also our Divemaster Cassie spotted a Humpback Whale underwater very faintly in the distance!!!
Photo taken today by Cassie at Manta Arch.
Congratulations to Darren on Completeing his PADI Shark Awareness Course.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 20m
Dive Report by Lindsay
23rd June 2021 – Whaley Wednesday
Today with a small group of very experienced divers we headed to South Solitary to take advantage of the lovely weather and do some dives!
For the first dive we headed into Manta Arch. Swimming through the arch our divers were greeted by a wobbeygong sitting on the ledge. We circled around, seeing 20+ Grey Nurse Sharks in the deeper, sandy patches off the arch. Cruising around with the Grey Nurse’s, we also spotted a huge Queensland Grouper, rivalling the Grey Nurse’s in size – he’s our picture for today!
On the second dive we drifted from Shark Gutters mooring to boulder wall, making our way down to the Gantry. The visibility was pristine and the sun started to shine on the second dive creating beautiful underwater conditions. This illuminated the gorgeous fishlife as we made our way down the wall. We spotted a few turtles crusing around, plenty of wobbegong tails hiding under rocks, and some nudibranches, along with a spotted eagle ray at the start of the dive. All throughout this dive we heard Whales singing, and had one breach near the boat just after we surfaced.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 25m+
Dive Report by
26th June 2021 – Clear Waters with lots to see!!!
Today we were lucky enough to be greeted by beautiful, clear blue waters at South Solitary Island.
For the first dive the more experienced divers rolled in at Manta Arch and swam around to Cleaner Station, whereas the others remained at Cleaner Station. Highlights from these dives include countless friendly Grey Nurse Sharks everywhere, tonnes of Wobbegong Sharks, Moray Eels, large Cod, and an abundance of fish life.
The option for the second dive was a nice gentle drift down from Cleaner Station to South Boulder. During this dive, divers spotted an Eagle Ray, more Grey Nurse Sharks in and around the Boulder Wall, more Wobbegong’s, large Batfish, in addittion to schooling Tarwhine, Stripey’s, Silver Travelly plus a few curious Blue Grouper’s.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 20m-25m
Dive Report by Tara
27th June 2021 – Spanish Dancer Sunday
Abiding by all recent COVID restrictions, we could only have a half boat of divers today, luckily the marine life didn’t seem to socially distance with an anbundance of life for all divers to see. We had student divers completing their final dives today as apart of their PADI Open Water Course.
First up we rolled in at Cleaner Station, and once again were greeted by 10+ Grey Nurse Sharks, loads of fish life, Nudibranchs, Lionfish, and a lovely Spanish Dancer dancing around (footage taken by our Divemaster Heidi.
For the second dive we drifted all the way down to The Gantry from Cleaner Station. Grey Nurse Sharks were aplenty, great fish life, more Lionfish, Green Sea and Hawksbill Turtles, and an Eagle Ray.
Congratulations to Thomas, Connor, Eliza, Nick, Jake who all finished off their PADI Open Water Course today!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 15m
Dive Report by
