16th March 2026 – Mad Mantis Monday
We encountered amazing conditions on our way out to South Solitary Island today. The Exceptional conditions are expected to continue for the rest of this week and into the weekend. Megawild dropped the divers in for their first dive at Manta Arch for a swim through The Gap to The Gantry. The original goal was to see how many Grey Nurse Sharks are hanging out under the Arch; unfortunately, only a single juvenile female was found. 30m visibility and 25-degree water made for great diving. The Gantry was filled to the brim with Green Sea Turtles, Hawksbill Turtles, and even Barney, our local legend, who is a massive Loggerhead turtle.
Dive two was a drift from the top end of the island down to The Gantry. Divers got up close with some sharks, finding twelve Leopard Sharks enjoying the current down in the deeper water. Eagle Rays, Peacock Mantis, and a Zebre Mantis shrimp were highlights of this dive.
Vis: 30-35m
Temp: 25 °C