Dive Reports – April 2019
Take a look at our dive reports from April 2019! We’ve detailed what we saw, the temperature and visibility, and surface conditions of the Solitary Islands in Coffs Harbour in April 2019.
Dive Reports April 2019 – Table of Contents:
6TH APRIL 2019 – LEOPARD SHARKS AT SOUTH SOLITARY
After over a week out of the water we were keen to get back into it. South Solitary didn’t disappoint, with 25m vis and 25 degree water!
Diving at Cleaner station we were immediately surprised by the amount of Wobbegongs, including a group of ten piled on top of each other! The second dive was a drift from Shark Gutter to the Gantry, our divers getting up close and personal with two Leopard Sharks, as well as seeing Turtles, Bull Rays and a huge schools of fish at North Boulder.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 25°C
- Visibility: 25m
Dive Report by Mike
7th April 2019 – Open Water Divers mix with South Solitary Island Turtles
We had a number of newly certified Open Water Divers on the boat today who were more than impressed with the underwater conditions at South Solitary Island.
Dive one was at Buchanan’s Wall we had plenty of life down the wall and a lone Leopard Shark in the shallows, Neil found a couple Leaf fish near the mooring and a shy Reindeer Wrasse close to the wall.
Dive two was a one way swim from Buchanan’s Wall to The Gantry, we had schools of Snapper, Travelly, Wobbegongs, a little black Lionfish, Octopus and 3 – 4 Turtles soaking up the sun in the shallows.
Congratulations to Carina, Jo, Sophie, Natalie, Leo, Julian and Marlene who all become Open Water Divers today and also to Josh who finished his Advanced Open Water Diver course!!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 25°C
- Visibility: 20m-25m
Dive Report by Lindsay
13th April 2019 – Great Start to School Holidays
With the blue sky above and blue water beneath we were excited to finally get back into the ocean. South Solitary didn’t disappoint with 20m viability and the warm water still hanging around! Divers hopping in a cleaner station found themselves surrounded by huge schools of fish, with Grey Nurse Sharks,, A huge Bullray, and a pair of Popcorn Shrimp.
Dive two was a leisurely swim down to South Boulder, our divers getting among Eagle Rays, Octopus, Painted Crayfish and Turtles
Vis 20m
Temp 24c
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 20m
Dive Report by Mike
14th April 2019 – Wet South Solitary
With our divers undeterred by today’s rain we found underwater was the best place to be. Swimming from Manta Arch to Cleaner Station our divers found half a dozen Grey Nurse Sharks under the arch, a few turtles and Spotted Maskrays. After a wet surface interval we finished our tour of the northern end of the island with a swim from Cleaner to South Boulder. A lot of fish on the wall and Painted Crays, Octopus, Black Cod and a huge Eagle Ray circling divers.
Temp 24c
Vis 20m
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 20m
Dive Report by Mike
17th April 2019 – First Dives at South Solitary
The solitary islands put on a show for wildfin and her load of student divers today, with great vis and warm water still hanging around!
Finding shelter at Shark Gutters we were greeted by a large Bullray cruising past the moring, as well as Large Black Cod, Wobbegongs and Moray Eels! Second dive was a slow swim to South Boulder, with divers finding a few turtles, a shy Mantis Shrimp, Lionfish and enough fish to block the sun at Boulder Wall.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 20m
Dive Report by Mike
18th April 2019 – Sharks in the Arch
Diving down to Manta Arch we found it packed full of Grey Nurse Sharks, before swimming around to Cleaner Station with Turtles, Big Eye Trevally Schools along the way.
Second dive was a swim around Cleaner Station and North Boulder, with Eagle Rays on the wall, Wobbegongs and a large Bullray in the Cleaner Station Cave.
Congratulations to Paula, Sam and Jonathon on completing their PADI Open Water Course!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature:
- Visibility:
Dive Report by Mike
19th April 2019 – Great Conditions Underwater
Despite the rain we ventured out to South Solitary finding ourselves better off under the waves than on them. Diving at Cleaner Station we found a large number of schooling Goatfish, Sweep and Trevally as well as a few Wobbegongs, Spotted Maskrays and Octopus.
After a brief surface interval we were back under the water for a swim to The Gantry from Cleaner Station finding Eagle Rays on the Wall, Cuttlefish and some friendly Green Sea Turtles.
Vis 25m
Temp 24c
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 25m
Dive Report by Mike
20th of April 2019 – South Solitary Saturday
Today’s trip out to South Solitary was a busy one, with both dive boats packed full of certified divers! With Buchanan’s Wall our first destination of the day, we jumped in and found the water warm, clear and full of life including Diamond Trevally, Wobbegongs and even a friendly leopard shark cruising the shallows!
With morning tea finished we headed up to Shark Gutters and found a monster Eagle Ray in the current on boulder wall before finishing our dive at the gantry seeing at least eight turtles on the way!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature:
- Visibility:
Dive Report by Mike
21st April 2019 – Super Sunday Conditions
With Easter Sunday upon us we ventured once more out to sea, finding the water blue as ever we jumped in at Buchanan’s Wall some very friendly Green Sea Turtles greeted us on our way down the wall, as well as Banded Coral Shrimp, and Lionfish.
Our second dive was a cruise down the boulder wall with a trio of Eagle Rays leading us through schools of fish, more Green and Hawksbill in the Gap and finishing at The Gantry with a few Octopus.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 20m
Dive Report by Mike
22nd April 2019 – Shark Diving At South Solitary
With the conditions ever improving we jumped in at Manta Arch for our first dive, and the sharks did not disappoint with at least a dozen Grey Nurse Sharks crammed under the Arch along with Wobbegongs, Lionfish and octopus!
Dive two was a drift from Cleaner Station to The Gantry lots to see with Turtles, Black cod and our three friendly Eagle Rays to name a few.
We’re also planning a trip to North Solitary Island this ANZAC day so make sure you book on early to get a spot!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 25m
Dive Report by Mike
23rd April 2019 – Leopard Sharks mix with divers at South Solitary Island!
Awesome conditions for diving at South Solitary Island today! The warm blue water has attracted plenty of tropical life including leopard sharks and eagle rays which were spotted by our divers today.
Still a few spots left on Thursday’s dive to North Solitary Island. Give us a call to book.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 20m-30m
Dive Report by Lindsay
24th April 2019 – Hump Day for Manta Rays
The Coffs Coast has had some amazing water conditions recently and we are making the most of it with both our boats 2Wild and Wildfin making it out to South Solitary Island
Dive one the certified Divers got in at Manta Arch while the Open Water Students got in at the shallower depths at Buchanan’s Wall and Cleaner Station. Lots to see from both groups including 10-15 Grey Nurse Sharks, Black Cod, Turtles, Bullrays, Travelly and a couple Octopus.
Dive two was a drift from the top end around to The Gantry, we had loads of fish on boulder wall, Nudibranchs galore in the top end gutters, Leopard Sharks near south Boulder and The Gap and the highlight of the day was back flipping Manta Ray at Five metre rock!!!!
This Beautiful Manta Ray swam with our divers for about 10-15mins.
Congratulations to Molly who finished her PADI Open Water Course today.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 20m-25m
Dive Report by Lindsay
25th April 2019 – Divers Explore North and South Solitary Islands Today!
Taking advantage of the great conditions “2 Wild” ventured to North Solitary Island while “Wild Fin” headed to South Solitary! Visibility at both islands ranged from 20-30m and the water temp was a lovely 24c. Leopard sharks, eagle rays, turtles and black cod were just some of the highlights!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 20m-30m
Dive Report by Andy
26th April 2019 – Manta Arch was the best spot!
Hiding from a North Westerly breeze, our divers found the Manta Arch mooring to be the most protected from the wind.
Slightly lower vis to what it has been over the last week at around 15 mtrs, it still proved to be a great dive. 12 Grey Nurse Sharks in the Arch along with Wobbygongs, Silver Trevally and Lionfish, all the divers were impressed.
Dive 2 started at Cleaner Station, which had even less vis of around 10 mtrs. As the divers progressed towards the Gantry, conditions and visibility improved and a lovely clear 18-20 mtrs was the call at the Gantry. Nice close encounters with a Leopard Shark was the highlight on this dive, with loads of fishlife along Boulder Wall.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 10m-20m
Dive Report by Mike
28th April 2019
With Wildfin Packed full of excited divers we made way to South Solitary, with our first dive site Shark Gutters we jumped in to find a lonely Grey Nurse cruising the shallows, as well as at least four Eagle Rays hanging over the Boulder Wall!
Dive two was a swim from Cleaner Station to South Boulder, With lots of fish life on the wall and A huge Loggerhead Turtle cruising through, it was a great dive had by all, other sightings included Mantis Shrimp and Octopus!
Congratulations to Rebecca, Charisse, Chris, Liam, and Troy on completing their Rescue Diver course, and to Isabel for completing her Advanced Open Water!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 20m
Dive Report by Mike
