Dive Reports – April 2021
Take a look at our dive reports from April 2021! We’ve detailed what we saw, the temperature and visibility, and surface conditions of the Solitary Islands in Coffs Harbour in April 2021.
Dive Reports April 2021 – Table of Contents:
3RD APRIL 2021 – WE ARE BACK
With the crazy weather we have been experiencing lately we are finally back out diving.
Dive one had Wildfin get their divers in at South Boulder and end at The Gantry while 2Wild’s divers got in at Shark gutters and finished at South Boulder.
Lots to see on this dive including Turtles, Eagle Rays, Baby Anemone Fish, Wobbegongs, Blue Tangs and Morish Idol’s.
Dive two had 2Wild and Wildfin switch dive plans. We had Schools of Blackfish, Bullseyes and Tarwhine. Turtles near the Gap, a Swimming Anemone and Barney the Loggerhead Turtle getting into some cunjevoi and Sea Urchin’s for lunch
Visibility 8-15m
Temp 23-24C
Conditions Report:
- Temperature:
- Visibility:
Dive Report by Lindsay
4th April 2021 – Buzzing Marine Life at South Solitary Island
With the easterly swell still present it made the trip out and back a little bumpy today for both boats. Underwater was again surprisingly good and lots to see on both dives.
Dive one had 2Wild up the top end and Wildfin down near The Gantry. We had Turtles, Black Cod, Botched Fantail Rays, Blue Groupers, and plenty of Nudibranchs.
Dive two Wildfin planned to stay up the top end on Shark Gutters while 2Wild drifted down to The Gantry. Divers spotted lots of Yellow Back Fusiliers, schools of Stripeys, Kingfish and Tarwhine. Some divers were lucky enough to have some beautiful Eagle Rays swim with them for 2-3mins!!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C-24°C
- Visibility: 8m-18m (green but clear)
Dive Report by Lindsay
5th April 2021 – Easter Monday Funday
Today we took Wildfin out to South Solitary for a double dive.
For the first dive we rolled in at ‘Manta Arch’ and swam round to ‘Cleaner Station’. During this dive we saw 10+ Grey Nurse Sharks around the arch, Spotted Eagle Rays, a Hawksbill Turtle, Wobbegongs, large Black Cod, and loads of fish life buzzing around for everyone to see.
The second dive we did a nice gentle drift from ‘Cleaner Station’ and ended up at ‘South Boulder Mooring’. Highlights from this dive include Green Sea and Hawksbill Turtles, Blotched Fantail Rays, Spotted Eagle Rays, Lionfish, Nudibranchs, Wobbegong Sharks, and an Octopus. This time of year with slightly reduced visibility, helps promote great fish life with large schools of Travelly and Kingfish buzzing around, Tarwhine, Fusilers, Black Cod, along with loads of Stripey’s, and Surgeonfish. Today’s featured image is of a Blue Tang hiding in and amongst a bit of coral, which was taken by Divemaster Kate.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Tara
9th April 2021 – Double boats to South Solitary Island
With some swell still around we made our way out to South Solitary Island to blow some bubbles.
Wildfin had dive one at Buchanan’s Wall and dive two around South Boulder and The Gantry. We had lots to see including Eastern Blue Groupers, Wobbegongs, Fiddler Rays, Nudibranchs Turtles and A huge Octopus near Five Metre Rock.
2Wild was running a little late to the Island but they done Buchanan’s Wall dor dive one and the drift from top end down to South Boulder. The groups had schools Tarwhine, Bulleyes, Turtles, Black Cod, Slipper Lobsters and Bullrays.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°c-24°C
- Visibility: 6m-10m
Dive Report by Lindsay
10th April 2021-Sunny Saturday with Grey Nurse Sharks
Condition on top, improved considerably today, with the swell dropping overnight. Visibility had not improved at all although it was cleaner at the Arch compared to the other side of the island. Again a dirty layer of water is over the top of cleaner, deeper water.
On Dive 1, “2 Wild” with the certified divers, dived at Manta Arch with a count of 15 Grey Nurse Sharks in the Arch. Meanwhile on the other side of the Island, “Wildfin” took 2 groups of PADI Open Water students for their first dive. A turtle, heaps of fish and Wobbygongs and Dory’s were a treat.
Dive 2 was at the northern end of South Solitary for both grou.ps, with highlights of a patchy dive were Spotted Eagle Rays, Big Black Cod, Big Wobbygongs and Big Bull Rays. other sightings were turtles including a big Green Turtle, Octopus and a mix of Nudibranch.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 6m-10m
Dive Report by Mike
11th April 2021 – Eagle Rays and Grey Nurse Sharks
Surface conditions today were magic, with the sun beaming down, little to no swell and wind it made a beautiful morning.
Dive one we dropped the certified divers at Manta Arch and the students got in at Shark Gutters. Visibility was down a little but still lots of life and action under water.
There was about 10-15 Grey Nurse Sharks at Manta and some large Kingfish. Shark gutters had schools of Bulleyes, Travelly and a little Dwarf Lionfish.
Dive two was a swim from South Boulder up to Cleaner Station as the current was going the other direction. Boulder Wall was packed with schooling fish and some massive Black Cod. Heidi’s group were incredibly lucky to get some encounters with Eagle Rays in the shallows.
Congratulations to Melissa, Karl, Laura, Warren
Visibility 5-8m
Temp 23-24
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C-24°C
- Visibility: 5m-8m
Dive Report by Lindsay
13th April 2021 – Students mix with Grey Nurse Sharks and Turtles
We had Wildfin loaded with Open Water Students today and 2Wild had a handful of certified divers. Mike dropped the certified divers off at Manta Arch while the students got in at Shark Gutters.
Lots to see underwater today with huge schools of Tarwhine and Travelly. Manta Arch had 10-12 Grey Nurse Sharks, even the students were lucky enough to see one in the shallow water and some massive Wobbegongs.
Dive two was a drift from Shark Gutters down to South Boulder. We had Eagle Rays on the wall and a little Hawksbill Turtle near South Boulder finding some lunch amongst the rocks.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C-24°C
- Visibility: 8m-10m
Dive Report by Lindsay
14th April 2021 – PADI Open Water Students Done and Dusted
We had a brisk NW wind this morning which made our first dive at Manta Arch the best option. The Back Gutter had 7-10 Grey Nurse Sharks and they were not shy!! The Open Water Students got up close and personal with a few very inquisitive big fish and a very colourful Mantis Shrimp near the mooring.
Dive two was at Buchanan’s Wall we had Moray eels, Turtles, Wobbegongs, Octopus, Blue Tangs and some cute little Hermit Crabs and a Blue grouper following divers around like a dog.
Congratulations to Liz, Savannah, Samala and Scarlett who all finished their PADI Open Water Course today.
Congratulations to Rex who completed the PADI Discover Scuba Diving Experience today.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C-24°C
- Visibility: 8m-10m
Dive Report by Lindsay
15th April 2021 – Conditions improving at South Solitary!
Both boats flew out to a sunny South Solitary this morning, with surface and underwater conditions playing nice for all student and certified divers.
First dive we had divers in at Manta Arch and at Shark Gutters. Highlights from these include; a dozen Grey Nurse in and around Manta Arch, Black Cod, Anenome Fish, Green Sea Turtles, 3 Juvenile Grey Nurse Sharks in Shark Gutters, along with Blue Tangs, Lionfish, and tonnes of schooling fish throughout.
For the second dive we had majority of divers do a drift from Cleaner down to the Gantry, and one group stay at The Gantry. Once again those Juvenile Grey Nurse Sharks were hanging around Shark Gutters, in addition we had Spotted Eagle Rays, great fish life, an Octopus, Bullrays, Moray Eels, 2 large Green Sea Turtles, one of those being our resident Green Sea Turtle “Larry”(footage can be found on Facebook and Instagram which was taken by our Divemaster Heidi).
Congrats to Cassidy, Rosie, Ada and Julie on completing their PADI Open Water Course today!! Well done to all of you.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 8m-15m
Dive Report by Tara
16th April 2021 “Great Diving At South Solitary Island”
After a quick trip out to South Solitary “2wild” made its way to the northern end of the Island to get protection from the southerly wind which was forecasted. For both dives we explored around Cleaner Station and Shark Gutters. Dive one, all divers rolled in and were greeted by a Leopard Shark, Eagle-rays, a Yellow Boxfish, and lots of schooling fish.
Dive Two we explored once again Shark Gutters and this time we checked out Boulder Wall. Green Sea Turtles were spotted, another Leopard Shark, Bullray’s, Black Cod, more Eagle Rays, a Queensland Grouper, and even a large Guitar Shark was around for all to see.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 15m
Dive Report by Tara
17th April 2021 – Wild Weather Brings Underwater Wonderland
We were a little touch and go on the trip today as the weather was not playing its part, once we got in and under the water the marinelife was spectacular.
Dive one we all dropped in at Manta Arch and explored the Arch and the Back Gutter. There was about four Grey Nurse Sharks under the Arch and 12+ around in ther Back Gutter. Divers also spotted a huge Spanish Mackrel and a Green Sea Turtle.
Dive two was a one way swim from Manta Arch around to Shark Gutters, this dive was magic and underwater was by far better than on the surface.
We had Grey Nurse Sharks in the gutters, Leopard Sharks near Cleaner Station, huge schools of fish around North Boulder and a cheeky little Mantis Shrimp near mooring.
Congratulations to Nourh and Shaun who finished their PADI Open Water Course today!! Welcome to this crazy family of divers.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C-24°C
- Visibility: 12m-20m
Dive Report by Lindsay
20th April 2021 – School Snorkel Trip!!
Wildfin and 2 Wild weren’t used for blowing bubbles today, but instead was loaded of school kids from MacKillop College Port Macquaire, and what better way of starting the day than a snorkel trip to the Solitary Islands. South Solitary Island was the destination for the first snorkel, where students saw Green Sea Turtles, Hawksbill Turtles, loads of Wobbegong Sharks, Blue Spotted Stingray’s, and tonnes of nice colouful fish life.
We then flew over to South West Solitary (Grouper) for the second snorkel, where it was swimming pool like conditions, however the visibility had dropped a little bit. Students still managed to see loads of fish life, more Wobbegong Sharks, and got to check out the harder corals which we predomiantly find at South West Solitary.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: South: 10m-12m/South-West: 5m-8m
Dive Report by Tara
21st April 2021 – Uni Dive Day
As the sunshine greeted us today, so did the awesome diving and snorkelling conditions as we had Wildfin and 2 Wild fly out to South Solitary Island. Joining us today we had the “Bendigo SCUBA Club”, along with Marine Science students from Southern Cross Uni, in addition to a few extra keen divers and snorkelers. Today started off with a bang as we had Dolphins in the marina, following us out the Harbour, and then a nice smooth trip out to South Solitary.
For the first dive we had divers explore Manta Arch and Cleaner Station, with snorkelers swimming through the gap and checking out the Gantry. Highlights include approximately 12 Grey Nurse Sharks around the Back Gutter, Lionfish, Hawksbill Turtles, Wobbegong Sharks and a White Eye Moray which was filmed by our Divemaster Cassie.
The second dive we had some divers do a drift from Cleaner Station to South Boulder, and the remaining divers and snorkelers jumped in at the Back Gutter and swam through the gap and finished up at The Gantry. Hawksbill and Green Sea Turtles, Octopus, Eagle Rays, Mantis Shrimp, Lionfish, Black Cod, Blue Tangs, Fiddler Rays, and more Grey Nurse Sharks were the highlights, along with constant schooling fish. The snorkelers were even lucky enough to swim with a massive Green Sea Turtle for about 5 mins.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Tara
22nd April 2021 – Three Island Thursday!
With the weather being suitable, we took 2 Wild out to North Solitary with a boat load of divers, and Wildfin cruised out to South Solitary and Split Solitary with marine students from Jetty High for a snorkel trip. Divers at North Solitary dived Anemone Bay first up, where as promised saw tonnes of Anemone Fish, Blue Tangs, a Hawksbill Turtle and an Eagle Ray.
For the second dive they explored Elbow Cave, where they saw an Octopus, heaps of cool Nudibranchs, tonnes of Mantis Shrimp, Blue Groupers, and more Blue Tangs and Anemone fish.
As for the snorkelers at South Solitary and Split Solitary, they saw an Eagle Ray, Wobbegong Sharks, along with loads of fish life including Blue Groupers, Blue Tangs, Stripey’s, Fusilers, and large school of Tarwhine.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: North: 12m-15m, South: 10m-12m, Split: 5m-8m
Dive Report by Tara
23rd April 2021 – Goods at Grouper!
Today we had Wildfin travel out to South West Solitary (“Grouper Island”) with marine studies students from CHEC, who were completing their first 2 dives as apart of the PADI Open Course, along with other certified divers who travelled out to South Solitary on 2 Wild.
Conditions on the surface and underwater at Grouper were surprisingly very good for both dives as students managed to see a massive Queensland Grouper, Black Cod, Eagle Ray’s, Green Sea Turtle’s, Wobbegong Sharks, in addition to large schools of Travelly, Kingfish, and plenty of Anemone Fish and Blue Tangs.
As the wind was coming from the South West, surface conditions at South Solitary wasn’t as nice, however underwater conditions were still pleasant with plenty to see as divers stayed around Manta Arch and the Back Gutter for both dives for protection. Highlights include Grey Nurse Sharks, a Spanish Dancer, Lionfish, lots of Flatworms, Black Cod, Nudibranchs, Slipper Lobster’s, Wobbegong Sharks, Moray Eels, and amazing fish life for everyone to see.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 22°C-23°C
- Visibility: South: 8m-10m, Grouper: 4m-10m
Dive Report by Tara
24th April 2021 – Student Saturday!
Today we were greeted with a flat sea, which allowed 2 Wild and Wildfin to fly out to South Solitary Island with student and certified divers.
For dive 1 we had divers roll in at Manta Arch and at Shark Gutters. Highlights from these dives include Green Sea Turtles, 10-12 Grey Nurse Sharks, Wobbegong Sharks, Moray’s, schooling Travelly, Blue Grouper’s, lots of Black Cod, and some cool Nudibranchs.
The choice for dive 2 for both boats was a drift dive, as there was an obvoius down hill current which allowed divers a nice relaxing drift along the Boulder Wall. We managed to see lots this dive including Lionfish, countless Wobbegong Sharks, a Hawksbill and Green Sea Turtle, a massive Black Cod, schools of Yellow Goat Fish, friendly Blue Grouper’s, a Yellow Boxfish, Spotted Eagle Ray’s, and an Abbotts Moray Eel.
A big congratulations to Lillie, Mackenzie, Laura, and Alina who finished their PADI Open Water Course today!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 12m-15m
- Visibility: 22°C-23°C
Dive Report by Tara
25th April 2021 – ANZAC day Dives!!
Once again we were blessed with another cracking day for diving, as both of our boats crusied out to South Solitary Island.
Divers on 2 Wild dived Shark Gutters first up, whereas Wildfin rolled in at Manta Arch. During these dives we saw Juvenile and full grown Grey Nurse Sharks, Moray Eels, large schooling Travelly, along with Mantis Shrimp, and Spotted Eagle Ray’s. We even had a stowaway Huntsman Spider briefly join us for some bubble blowing for half the dive.
Second dive our boats swapped dive sites, and divers managed to see more Grey Nurse Sharks, Spotted Eagle Ray’s, Lionfish, Bullray’s, Moray Eels, amazing fish life and some really cool Nudibranchs. Today’s featured image is of our Divemaster Kate’s divers “Kate’s Angel’s”, who all had a great time seeing what South Solitary has to offer.
Congratulations to PJ and Tahlia who completed their PADI Open Water Course today!!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 15m
Dive Report by Tara
26th April 2021 – Marine Science Monday!
Another great day on and under the water was awaiting Wildfin along with a boat load of SCU students studying Marine Science and other certified divers.
Dive one some divers rolled in at Manta Arch, and got up close and personal with approximately 10-15 friendly Grey Nurse Sharks, plus Green Sea Turtles, and tonnes of schooling fish, whereas others explored Cleaner Station spotting Hawksbill Turtles, Black Cod, Wobbegong Sharks, a Scorpion Leaf Fish and a Mantis Shrimp.
Dive two, all divers did a drift from Cleaner Station to South Boulder Mooring, where divers saw Blotched Fantail Rays, heaps of Black Cod, a Cuttlefish, lots of Nudibranchs, Lionfish, a pregnant Blue Spotted Stingray, in addition to amazing fish life throughout the entirety of the drift.
We also had Scientific Divers complete their final practical exercises off the jetty with Lindsay and Lockie. Congrats to John, Victoria, Leigh, and Courtney!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 22°C-23°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Tara
29th April 2021 – Flat Seas At South Solitary Island.
Sea conditions made for a quick trip out to south solitary island this morning. All divers drop in on Manta Arch for dive one, three Grey Nurse Sharks were guarding the entrance to the Arch and lots of schooling fish above the Arch including Tarwhine, Sweep, and Silver Trevely. All the action was in the back gutter at least a dozen Grey Nurse Sharks were seen, also Barney decided to get in on the action, she seemed to be bossing all the Sharks around.
After morning tea all divers dropped in on Cleaner Station and made there way to South Boulder, lots of marine life was seen Eagle-rays, Black Cod, Octopus, Lionfish and a few Wobbegong Sharks moving around.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Tara
30th April 2021 – Student divers get amongst the Sharks!!
Today we had marine students from Coffs Harbour Education Campus finish off their PADI Open Water Course at South Solitary Island.
First up we rolled in at Shark Gutters and completed all the required skills with students in addition to spotting a Grey Nurse Shark, Black Cod, Blue Groupers, along with great fish life throughout the dive.
For the students fourth and final dive, we did a live drop at the Back Gutter, and got up close and personal to approximately 10-15 Grey Nurse Sharks, a Green Sea Turtle, and Moray Eels.
A big congratulations to Brayden, Hunter, Holly, Sophie, Leroy, Josh, Jack, Bailey, Jalen, Kiahni who all completed their PADI Open Water Course!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 10m-12m
Dive Report by Tara
