Dive Reports – August 2015
Take a look at our dive reports form August 2015! We’ve detailed what we saw, the temperature and visibility, and surface conditions of the Solitary Islands in Coffs Harbour in August 2015.
Dive Reports – August 2015 – Table of Contents
1ST AUGUST 2015 – WINTER DIVING @ SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND!
Sheltered from the North West breeze, we hopped in at Manta Arch for our first dive of the day. About 20 Grey Nurse were observed on this dive, cruising in and around the Manta Arch area. Our divers also spotted turtles, Black Cod, Lionfish and a huge Octopus on this dive.
Taking advantage of the slight current, we swam from from Shark Gutters to Manta Arch on dive two. More Grey Nurse, a huge Loggerhead Turtle, a Mantis Shrimp and a clan of Moorish Idol were just some of the highlights on this dive.
Congrats to Kieran for completing his PADI Open Water Dive Course today!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 15m-20m
Dive Report by Andy
15TH AUGUST 2015 – BACK IN THE WATER AND PLENTY TO SEE!
After a week out of the water, we were all very excited to get back in for a dive at South Solitary Island today.
Sheltered from the fresh southerly breeze, we dived our favourite sites, shark gutters and cleaner station.
So much to see today including Grey Nurse Sharks, “Barney” the Loggerhead Turtle, Black Cod, Mangrove Jack, loads of Nudibranches and the list goes on!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 10m-12m
Dive Report by Andy
16TH AUGUST 2015 – DIVE REPORT
After a rainy start this morning, it was great to escape underwater at South Solitary Island. A whale or two were spotted not far from the island which got everyone in the mood! Slipping in at Shark Gutters in 3 small groups, we were greeted by a few Grey Nurse Sharks, Black Cod, a lazy Wobbegong, Lionfish, Pufferfish, Trumpetfish and a couple of extremely friendly Blue Groupers 🙂 Things only got better for the second dive, and despite the 10m visibility, we had an abundance of life including a chilled out Green Turtle, a juvenile Eagle Ray, some Nudibranchs and a countless array of fish…. Back in time for the Super boats to start and the sun to show its face! A huge congratulations to Stephen and Teressa for completing their Scuba Diver Course and to Damien, Charlotte, Matthew, Robin and Justine for completing their Open Water Course!!! Well done guys – Have fun blowing bubbles!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 10m-12m
Dive Report by Lindsay
22ND AUGUST 2015 – BIG GREY NURSE SHARKS AT SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND
If you have ever wanted to dive with Grey Nurse Sharks, Turtles and experience big fish action, South Solitary Island is the place to do it!!! That was all the talk on the boat on the way back from the Lighthouse.
Dive one had our divers surrounded by 20-30 Grey Nurse Sharks!!! One male was very scared all over its body. A couple of them were HUGE big pregnant females as seen in the photo taken today.
Dive two was a pleasant drift dive from Shark Gutters down to The Gantry, large schooling fish on the wall with some big Snapper and King Fish, from Shark gutters down to The Gantry one diver said they counted 10 Turtles!!! What an amazing dive site we have here on the Mid-North Coast!!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 18°C-19°C
- Visibility: 15m-18m
Dive Report by Andy
23RD AUGUST 2015 – GREAT WINTER DIVING AT SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND!
This mornings freshening north east breeze was no match for “Wild Fin”, we comfortably cruised to South Solitary Island with Mike at the Helm.
Today’s first dive was at Buchanan’s Wall. Loads to see including some giant Black Cod, Wobbegong Sharks, Turtles, Octopus and an array of Nudibranches who were taking refuge on the wall.
Taking advantage of the prevailing current, dive two was a drift from shark Gutters to the Gantry. Quite a few large female Grey Nurse and a squadron of Eagle Rays were spotted patrolling the northern end.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°c
- Visibility: 15m-20m
Dive Report by Andy
29TH AUGUST – GREY NURSE GALORE AT SOUTH SOLITARY
A Great day for Grey Nurse Sharks at South Solitary Island today. Last month we had heaps of Male Nurses and today we had mostly Females. At least 30 at Manta Arch and another Dozen at Cleaner Station Mooring.
Congrats to Meghan and Rodney for completing their PADI Advanced Open Water course with all the Nurses!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: Milky 12m-15m
Dive Report by Mike
