24th January 2024- Leopard Sharks and Grey Nurses For the Long Weekend!

After a day’s break, So Wild packed up with a dozen divers and steamed out to South Solitary. Even though the surface conditions were not perfect, the island had extremely blue water. With the northerly wind blowing in the morning and the southerly swinging around in the afternoon, Manta Arch for a swim through the gap and ending at The Gantry was today’s choice for our first dive. Surface conditions eased during our surface interval, so we managed to drop in at Shark Gutters for a speedy drift down Boudler Wall towards The Gantry.

The water was 26°C but Manta Arch was still filled with around a dozen or so grey Nurse Sharks! Half a dozen Squid were seen on the moorig line, trying to blend in with their colours. 2 Massive Green Turtles were seen outside of the gap, one swimming whilst the other had a rest! Five metre rock was full of our favourites, from Nudibrachs, Golden Egg Cowries, and different Moray Eels!

Getting the best of Both Worlds, divers were treated to Five different Leopard Sharks on their second dive! An adult Emporer Angel Fish was seen potting around the boulder wall, along with a Zebra Mantis Shirmp, a Spotted Eagle Ray, and some more turtles!

Visibility: 25 metres

Temperature: 26°C