Dive Reports – August 2022
Take a look at our dive reports from August 2022! We’ve detailed what we saw, the temperature and visibility, and surface conditions of the Solitary Islands in Coffs Harbour in August 2022.
Dive Reports August 2022 – Table of Contents:
6TH AUGUST 2022 – BRILLIANT CONDITIONS AND HAPPY DIVERS
With beautiful blue skies our divers jumped on 2Wild this morning for some diving at South Solitary. Most of the divers jumped in at Manta Arch for a drift to Cleaner Station while some stayed at Cleaner Station for some training in the shallower waters. Everyone had a chance to spot some grey nurse sharks and we enjoyed our surface interval on the southern end of the island. For dive two everyone jumped in at Manta Arch for a swim through the gap and were picked up at the Gantry. Highlights from today included bull rays, eagle rays, green turtles, loggerhead turtles, egg cowries, and even more grey nurse sharks. On the trip back some dolphins came up for a cheeky hello beside the boat.
Congratulations to Emma on completing her PADI Open Water course today!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 18°C
- Visibility: 15m-20m
Dive Report by Maryanne
7th August 2022- Great start to a dive day
The ocean this morning was a glass out as we left the Harbour. A great start to the day!
Dive one, the certified divers got in at Manta Arch where they were treated to 15-18 Grey Nurse Sharks on the bottom. The open Water Students completed their first ever dive at Cleaner Station and had a blast seeing all the schools of Pomfreds and loads of Wobbegongs
Dive two was a drift from Cleaners Station around to The Gantry, there was a slight current past Boulder Wall that was loaded with fish, but the Highlight was the amazing interaction with all the Turtles near The Gap!!
Photo taken today by Minnie.
Visibility 12-15m
Temp 18-19C
Conditions Report:
- Temperature:
- Visibility:
Dive Report by Lindsay
11TH AUGUST 2022 – SHARKS, RAYS AND A SEAL
Finally, we have had a break in the weather to get out for some dives!!
Today was all about Open Water Students and we completed dives one and two at South Solitary Island. Shark Gutters was the first choice and our students descended onto 8-10 Grey Nurse Sharks and huge schools of fish hanging around the mooring.
Dive two was at South Boulder, we made our way down to The Gap and spotted 2-3 Eagle Rays on the way. We were welcomed with 6-8 Turtles, Eastern Blue Groupers and some Slipper Lobsters.
We also spotted a Fur Seal who was having a leisurely bake in the lunch time sun
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 17°C-18°C
- Visibility: 12m-15
Dive Report by Lindsay
12th August 2022 – Certified Divers at South Solitary
We had 2Wild full and make their way out to South Solitary Island again today.
Dive one was up the northern end at Cleaner Station, the visibility had dropped a bit, but we still had lots to see including Grey Nurse Sharks, Black Cod, and some very territorial Girdled Scaly fin fish in Shark Gutters.
Dive two was a drift from Shark Gutters down to The Gantry, this dive had plenty to see along Boulder Wall with schools of Fusiliers, Bullseyes, an Eagle Ray and a Botched Fantail Ray.
The visibility had improved a lot near The Gap which made watching the 5-8 Turtles very special.
Congratulations to The Franklin Family who are on holiday here from Scotland and have completed the PADI Open Water Diver Course
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 18°C-19°C
- Visibility: 8m-15m
Dive Report by Lindsay
13th August 2022 – Grey nurse galore
Slipping in at Manta Arch for today’s first dive, we got to mix with some friendly grey nurse sharks, many of which were patrolling the back gutter. Turtle’s, lionfish, nudi’s, schooling trevally and anemone fish added to the highlights.
The conditions were favourable to shoot the gap on dive two. More grey nurse, stacks of turtles, egg cowries and flatworms were all spotted on this dive.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 18°C
- Visibility: 8m-12m
Dive Report by Andy
14th August 2022 – Spectacular south solitary
Today’s calm sea conditions made for an easy trip to South Solitary Island this morning. Jumping straight into the action on dive one, Shark Gutters didn’t disappoint with our divers spotting grey nurse sharks at every turn.
Making the most of the current, dive two was a leisurly drift down the boulder wall. More grey nurse, turtles, eagle rays and black cod were spotted on this dive.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 18°C
- Visibility: 10m-12m
Dive Report by Andy
20th August 2022 – Big fish action at the solitaries!
There is no better way to spend the day than with a couple of action packed dives at South Solitary Island! Shark Gutters and the Boulder Wall was bustling with life today! Grey nurse sharks, eagle rays, bull rays and turtles were just some of the big fish action spotted by our divers!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 18°C
- Visibility: 8m-10m
Dive Report by Stuart
27th August 2022 – Sammy the seal at South solitary
Greeted by great visibility, South Solitary Island turned on some amazing diving today. Jumping in at Manta Arch on dive one, our divers got up close and personal with a number of grey nurse sharks, turtles, black cod and even a friendly seal!
Making the most of the conditions, dive two was spent exploring Shark Gutters. More grey nurse, rays, plus schools of goatfish, tarwhine and sweep!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 18°C
- Visibility: 20m
Dive Report by Andy
28th August 2022 – Excellent winter diving at the Solitaries!
Great conditions for diving South Solitary as the visibility is still holding around 20 plus meters. Today’s highlight was definitely the grey nurse sharks as these friendly creatures were spotted in numbers across a variety of dive sites. Turtles, black cod, nudi’s and a squadron of eagle rays also made an appearance.
Temp 18c.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 18°C
- Visibility: 20m
Dive Report by Andy
31st August 2022 – Goodbye winter hello spring
Winter diving at the Solitaries has been nothing short of amazing with today being no exception! Protected from the southerly breeze both dives were spent exploring the northern end of South Solitary. The grey nurse stole the show today with more than a dozen sharks spotted by our divers! Turtles, bull rays, wobbegongs and schooling trevally also adding to the highlights.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 18°C
- Visibility: 15m
Dive Report by Andy
