Dive Reports – April 2022
Take a look at our dive reports from April 2022! We’ve detailed what we saw, the temperature and visibility, and surface conditions of the Solitary Islands in Coffs Harbour in April 2022.
Dive Reports April 2022 – Table of Contents:
5TH APRIL 2022 – DIVERS ENJOY SOUTH AND NORTH SOLITARY ISLAND WHILE THE VIS IS ON THE IMPROVE!
With such a great weather forecast we were able to dive at both North and South Solitary Islands today! Though the visibility from the surface looked a little green, once at the bottom the water cleared dramatically and the visibility was as good as 15 meters.
So much to see across both islands! Our divers who explored South Solitary got some amazing shark action spotting a grey nurse shark and a leopard shark on the same dive. Moray eels, green turtles, painted crays and lots of nudi’s added to the highlights.
North Solitary Island definitely didn’t disappoint either! The amazing conditions allowed our divers to explore Anemone Bay, Fish Soup and the Elbow Cave. The marine life spotted is too long to list however mantis shrimp, octopus, eagle rays, fidler rays and a yellow box fish were some of the favourites.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 5m-15m
Dive Report by Andy
6th April 2022 – Triple Dive at South Solitary Island
We had a slightly earlier start this morning as the plan was to complete three dives out at South Solitary Island.
Dive one was at Manta Arch where we were hopeful for lots of Grey Nurse Sharks but unfortunately it was not to be, we did have some huge Black Cod and schools of Tarwhine close to the morning.
After some morning tea, dive two was a drift from Cleaner Station down to The Gantry, We had a very warm, clear, layer of water on the bottom along with lots of interesting things to see including Octopus, Wobbegongs, Eagle Rays, Nudibranchs and very photogenic Green Sea Turtle near The Gap.
Dive three we decided to stay around the top end as this was the clearest spot. We spotted two Grey Nurse Sharks, Orangutan Crabs, Kingfish, Old Wifes, Black cod, Hawksbill Turtles, and schools of Bullseyes, Trevally and Pomfreds.
Photo Taken today by Lindsay
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 22°C-24°C
- Visibility: 5m-15m
Dive Report by Lindsay
11th April 2022 – Happy to be back out on the water!
Mega Wild loaded up with certified divers and students keen for their first ever ocean dive this morning. After a quick and comfy trip out to South Solitary divers dropped in at Buchannon’s Wall. Highlights include, green turtles, wobbegongs, big schools of drummers, old wives, and lots of anemonefish. After a warming morning tea we jumped back in at Buchannon’s Wall for a drift to the Gantry. Along the way there were porcelain crab, schools of spotted rabbitfish, and a very friendly blue grouper that hung out with everyone on their safety stop.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 5m
Dive Report by Maryanne
15th April – Good Friday Dives!
It has been far too long between dives around here so the decision to go today was awesome!!
MegaWild steamed out to South Solitary Island with students and certified divers on board. All were very keen to blow some bubbles.
Both dives were limited to the northern end of the island due to the swell and wind, but we had plenty to see including Trevally, Wobbegongs, Nudibranchs, schools of Tarwhine, Fusiliers and Kingfish.
We also had a brief visit from Barney the Logger Head Turtle, she was crunching on some unfortunate shells.
Photo of Barney but not taken today.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C-25°C
- Visibility: 8m-12m
Dive Report by Lindsay
16th April 2022 – Almost Easter!
A little bit of rain didn’t deter anyone from steaming out to South Solitary this morning on MegaWild! Divers dropped in at Cleaner Station for the first dive. Highlights included schools of drummers, lionfish, wobbegong, and a juvenile emperor angelfish. There was a bit of swell hitting us while we were enjoying our morning tea so we moved over to Grouper Island where surface conditions were much calmer. Our second dive at Grouper had poorer visibility due to be closer to the mainland but divers still enjoyed a lot of marine life. Highlights included schools of bullseye, a big porcupinefish, and anemonefish.
Congratulations to Alex for completing his Junior Open Water certification and to Rosie for completing her Advanced Open Water certification today!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 3m-10m
Dive Report by Maryanne
17th April 2022 – Easter Diving at The Solitaries!
There was no better way to spend Easter than underwater diving at the Solitary Islands! While 2 Wild ventured further north to North Solitary, Mega Wild stopped off at South Solitary for 2 awesome dives!
Our north Solitary crew were lucky to get up close with a leopard shark while exploring Anemone Bay. Turtles, moray eels, black cod and a sea of clownfish made up just some of the highlights at North Solitary.
The diving at South Solitary was also nothing short of spectacular! Grey nurse sharks, wobbegongs, turtles, schooling pomfrets, tarwhine, plus a trio of acrobatic eagle rays were spotted by our divers.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 12m-15m
Dive Report by Andy
18th April 2022 – Divers love the Solitary Islands!
With the sun shining and both 2 Wild and Mega Wild loaded with excited divers, we shot out to South Solitary Island this morning! With the surface conditions continuing to improve we were able to complete both of today’s dives at the northern end of the island. Exploring Manta Arch on dive one, our divers spotted half a dozen grey nurse sharks all of which were female. The males were all spotted later in the dive hiding in the back gutter!
Jumping in at the Cleaner Station on dive 2, we were immersed with masses of schooling fish! Silver trevally, sweep, bullseyes, tarwhine, and even a school of chevron barracuda were spotted on this dive!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 8m-10m
Dive Report by Andy
19th April 2022 – Turtle Tuesday
South Solitary was the pick today, we had less swell and more sightings of Grey Nurse Sharks which was the highlight.
Dive one we had some divers get in at Cleaner Station and also Manta Arch, there was a total of 6-8 Grey Nurse Sharks in the area. There was also Lionfish, Nudibranchs and schools of fish everywhere.
After the surface interval we drifted from the top end down to The Gantry. There was a few Grey Nurse Sharks, Bottched Fantail Rays, Spotted Eagle Rays, Blue Tangs and LOTS of Turtles.
Congratulations to Stephen who finished his Advanced Open Water Course today.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C-25°C
- Visibility: 6m-10m
Dive Report by Andy
20th April 2022 – Wobbegong Wednesday!
With a strong northerly wind our keen divers trekked out to South Solitary Island this morning. We tied up on Buchannan’s Wall and our divers kitted up, ready to hop in. The first dive boasted green turtles, lots of wobbegongs, leopard sharks, and some lionfish.
After our surface interval, surface conditions had improved dramatically and we took a slow little island cruise around the east side, making our way to Shark Gutters for our second dive of the day. Divers came back from their dive excited to report that they saw 3 grey nurse sharks, a chummy leopard shark, and plentiful big eye trevally amongst other schooling fish-life.
A beautiful day on the water was had by all.
Big congrats to our brand new PADI Open Water Divers: Adrian and Alyssa!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Maryanne
21st April 2022 – Leopard Sharks here late April
We only had a few divers today, so we took 2Wild out to South Solitary Island for a spin.
Once we arrived, we tied on to Shark Gutters mooring which gave us the most protection for dive one.
We had Grey Nurse sharks, Black Cod, Blue Spotted Rays and schools of Fusiliers on this dive with a very curious Leopard Shark (Zebra Shark) that could not help itself and come say hi.
Dive two we started with a live drop around the Back Gutter, we descended onto 8-12 Grey Nurse Sharks and then made our way through the gap and finishing at South Boulder. The Western side of the island had Wobbegongs, Nudibranchs and lots of Turtles… roughly 12!!!
Photo taken today by Lindsay
Congratulations to Chris who finished his Advanced Open Water Course today.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 10m-18m
Dive Report by Lindsay
25th April 2022 – ANZAC Day Delivers Clear Water
ANZAC Day has delivered some great conditions underwater with loads to see.
Dive one we stayed at Cleaner Station and explored around the Cleaner Cave and the Gutters. There were massive schools of fish including Trevally, Bullseyes, Tarwhine, and Fusiliers.
The majestic Leopard Shark was still hanging around and came up to say hi to everyone!!
As the conditions up on the boat were not very nice, we made our surface interval a bit shorter and done a drift from Cleaner Station down to South Boulder.
Boulder Wall was teeming with marine life. We had Turtles, Black Cod, Eagle Rays, Lionfish, Moray Eels, Swimming Wobbegongs and a sleepy Leopard Shark out on the sand.
Congratulations to Max who finished his Advanced Open Water Course and his Enriched Air Specialty Course.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C-24°C
- Visibility: 18m-20m
Dive Report by Lindsay
29th April 2022 – Warm Current Brings Island to Life
We had Open Water and Advanced Open Water students on board today and Buchanan’s Wall was the choice for dive one.
There was few Turtles about, schools of Bullseyes, Wobbegongs, Nudibranchs, and some cute Banded Coral Shrimp.
With morning tea done, we made the most of the current for dive two and jumped in for a drift from the top end down to The Gantry. The dive was amazing, we saw some epic creatures including four Eagle Rays, two Leopard Sharks, seven Turtles, Schools of Sweep and Tarwhine and some huge Black Cod on Boulder Wall.
Congratulations to Trey, Arabella and Ellia who finished their PADI Open Water Course
Congratulations to Fiona and Thomas who finished their PADI Advance Course
Photo taken today by Lindsay
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C-24°C
- Visibility: 10m-18m
Dive Report by Lindsay
30th April 2022 – Turtle Town
MegaWild steamed out full of excited divers to South Solitary Island this morning. The northerly wind made Buchannon’s Wall a calm spot to hide from the wind for the first dive. Highlights included green turtles, lion fish, cuttlefish, and black cod. After a morning tea of warm soup and good conversation some of our more advanced divers did a drift from Shark Gutters to the Gantry to take advantage of the strong current and clear water, while our student divers stayed at the Gantry to work on their skills. Highlights included bull rays, eagle rays, schooling big eye trevally, painted crays, green turtles, and a huge loggerhead turtle.
Big congratulations to Amanda, Joe, and Jake on completing their PDI Open WAter Course and to Gavin for finishing his Advanced Open Water Course!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Lindsay
