Dive Reports – December 2016
Take a look at our dive reports from December 2016! We’ve detailed what we saw, the temperature and visibility, and surface conditions of the Solitary Islands in Coffs Harbour in December 2016.
Dive Reports December 2016 – Table of Contents
3RD DECEMBER – ESCAPING THE HEAT AT THE SOLITARY ISLANDS!
No better way to spend a Saturday then under the water at South Solitary Island! Both dives were great with our divers spotting Grey Nurse and Wobbegong Sharks, Black Cod, Moray Eels and two of these, very cool Nudibranches!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 10m-12m
Dive Report by Andy
4TH DECEMBER 2016 – DIVERS ENJOY BLUE WATER AT SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND!
After a smooth ride out to South Solitary Island, we were excited to discover that the visibility had improved since yesterday. Jumping in at Manta Arch and Shark Gutters, our divers enjoyed a great first dive spotting Grey Nurse Sharks, schooling Kingfish, Tarwine, Goatfish and this little Leopard Blenny!
Taking advantage of the current, dive two was a drift from Shark Gutters to the Gantry. More Grey Nurse, 3 Orangutan Crabs, lots of Nudi’s and too many fish to mention!
Congratulations to Mike, Simon, Clare and Grace on completing their PADI Open Water Course today. Well done Guys!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 15m-20m
Dive Report by Andy
8TH DECEMBER 2016- PATCHY WATER PRODUCES LOTS OF VARIETY.
Today looked like it could be great diving and clear water when we first arrived at South Solitary Island. Water looked blue at the Gantry in the gloomy overcast conditions. However the story changed when we descended, with patches of murky brown water mixing in with clearer warm water. Whilst the clarity of the water was down, what we saw was impressive.
Grey Nurse sharks were with us in minutes at shark gutters, and a huge Lionfish at Cleaner Station. Highlights in the gutters were the number of Nudibranchs and the two Orangutan crabs.
Dive 2 had more Grey Nurse Sharks, including some big females, along with Black Cod along Boulder Wall. A couple of turtles also amused the divers along the wall.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 5m-10m
Dive Report by Mike
10TH DECEMBER 2016 – BIZARRE LOOKING TRAVELLY VISITS SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND
We ended up going to both South Solitary and South West Solitary Island today in search of clear water.
Dive one was at the northern end of South Sol, the amount of marine life there today was truly amazing with schools of Travelly, Pomfreds, some very odd looking Travelly and one big make Grey Nurse Shark, although the visibility on the bottom wasn’t the best everyone had a blast!!
Dive two we headed into South West Sol and the visibility had improved slightly, lots of Nudibranchs were spotted, a sleeping Green Sea Turtle and some Blue Lipped Anemone’s. All of the divers had come up saying they seen a juvenile Crested Horn shark swimming everywhere, very cool to see as they tend to keep very still and on the bottom.
Congratulations to Claudia Jambor who completed her PADI Open Water Diver Course today!!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C-20°C
- Visibility: 3m-5m
Dive Report by Lindsay
11TH DECEMBER 2016 – CERTIFIED DIVERS THANKFUL FOR CLEAR WATER
Heading out to South Solitary Island there were a few of us were expecting limited visibility but Buchanan’s Wall had a pleasant 10-15 metres, divers saw a few turtles, Black Cod and a very curious Numb-ray!!!
Dive two had the certified divers descend on to 4-6 Grey Nurse hanging around Shark Gutters mooring before making a drift around to The Gantry where the Open Water Students had jumped in. The visibility at The Gantry was 5-10m more than the top end due to some current off the island. The students spotted a huge Green Sea Turtle, a little Reindeer Wrasse, Moray Eels, Blue Tangs and more Basslets than you could count.
Congratulations to Nick and Bianca who completed their PADI Open Water Course today!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C-20°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Lindsay
12TH DECEMBER 2016 – TURTLE MANIA AT SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND
Calm seas and blue skies made for a magic day of diving at South Solitary Island. The visibility was quite patchy today, varying from 5-15m in some areas. Plenty of Turtles, Grey Nurse, Bullrays, Black Cod and schooling Jewfish were just some of the highlights!
Congratulations to Helena and Elsa on completing your PADI Open Water Course. Well Done!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 5m-15m
Dive Report by Andy
13TH DECEMBER 2016 – TOORMINA HIGH SCHOOL SNORKEL EXCURSION
Today we had both boats out and about! Wildfin went to Split and then South Solitary Island with the Marine Studies class from Toormina High School and the students from Maclean High School completing their PADI Advanced Open Water Course were aboard 2 Wild!
Lots to see on both dives. Turtles, Lionfish, Clownfish, Blue Tangs, schooling Goatfish and one Huge Bullray!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 8m-10m
Dive Report by Andy
14TH DECEMBER 2016 – MACLEAN HIGH SCHOOL ADVANCED COURSE
Today again saw both boats heading out, with Wildfin heading to Split then South Solitary snorkelling, and 2 Wild heading to Split for two dives.
First up saw our advanced course drop in on Mike’s Mooring for their navigation dive, several nudibranchs were seen along with a long white line.
For the second dive we again dropped in on Mike’s Mooring, this time swimming around to Turtle Cove and back, more nudibranchs and a very out of place fu manchu scorpion fish!!
Congratulations to Bella, Billy, Logan, Matt, Mitchell, Rhys & Riley who completed their PADI Advanced Open Water Course with us today!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 18°C
- Visibility: 4m-8m
Dive Report by Lindsay
15TH DECEMBER 2016 – AWESOME DAY DIVING!
With a full boat, Wild Fin bounced on out to South Solitary Island. First stop was Buchanan’s Wall followed by the second dive at Cleaner station. It was a macro dive kind of day, seeing Wobbygongs, Nudibranchs, Schooling fish, Turtles, Crayfish, Anemone Fish, and plenty of Grey Nurse Sharks and some Giant Sponge Crabs.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 5m-8m
Dive Report by Lindsay
16TH DECEMBER 2016 – CERTIFIED OPEN WATER DIVERS!
With a calmer sea and a smaller group, Wild Fin hooned on out to South Solitary Lighthouse. First entry was Buchanan’s Wall and the second dive was a drift from Shark Gutters to the Gantry. Lots of activity around the dive sites, seeing Turtles, Bull rays, Groupers, Nudibranchs, Blue Angel Fish, Black Cod, Schooling Fish, Anemone Fish and Moray Eels.
Congratulations to Mark, Ramon, Angus, Jacqui, Belle, Henry and Frank in completing their Open Water and Scuba Diver Course.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 5m-8m
Dive Report by Lindsay
20TH DECEMBER 2016 – VIS IS BACK!
After a few days off the water due to strong wind, we were all very eager to get back out diving this morning! With our fingers crossed, our prayers were finally answered with warm blue water!
Lots to see at Buchanan’s Wall. Yellow Box Fish, a Bullray, Green Turtles, Black Cod and an Abbotts Moray Eel.
For morning tea and the second dive we headed over to Split Solitary for better surface conditions. During the dive a pair of Port Jackson sharks were seen, along with a Cuttlefish, several lionfish and a pair of Skunk Cleaner Shrimp photographed today by Nathan.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 22°C
- Visibility: 10m-12m
Dive Report by Lindsay
21ST DECEMBER 2016 – BARNEY WELCOMES OPEN WATER DIVERS!
Open Water Students and snorkelers had a blast today out at South Solitary Island, everyone had close encounters with Turtles, Wobbygongs, and little Moray Eels.
The visibility today was around 10-12m and there was still plenty to see on both dives. The certified divers made the most of the current and drifted from the top end around to The Gantry, Barney The Loggerhead Turtle spent a good amount of time showing the Open Water Students how to eat sea shells near the gap and Sara even got the opportunity to give Barney a little back scratch.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 10m-12m
Dive Report by Lindsay
22ND DECEMBER 2016 – HAMMERS AND QUEENSLAND GROUPER!
This morning Wildfin loaded up with divers and steamed out through blue waters to South Solitary for the days’ diving. On arriving at Shark Gutters we were greeted with the sight of something we hadn’t seen from the boat for some time… the bottom!!
For Dive One our divers dropped in to Shark Gutters, Yellow Box Fish, Lionfish, “Clyde” our resident Orangutan Crab as well as a very large Queensland Grouper that appears to have made Cleaner Station its home at the moment!
After our surface interval we again descended on Shark Gutters, this time using the current to drift around to South Boulder. Whilst descending on the mooring line, a 2m Hammerhead was seen while descending, a large Eagle Ray was seen, along with several Green Turtles.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 25m-30m
Dive Report by Lindsay
23RD DECEMBER 2016 – WARM AND BLUE AT SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND!
Another great day of diving at South Solitary Island today. The massive Queensland Groper that was spotted yesterday was around again today. Hopefully she will hang around for a while longer.
Today’s other highlights included Eagle Rays, Turtles, Black Cod, Painted Crayfish and what seemed like a billion schooling fish on the Boulder Wall.
Conditions Report:
- Tempertaure: 23°C
- Visibility: 15m-20m
Dive Report by Lindsay
24TH DECEMBER 2016 – X-MAS EVE DIVE!
Yet another merry day under the sea. Warm blue water made the day very special as we get ready for Christmas tomorrow. First entry was Buchanans and the second was a drift from Shark to The Gantry, seeing Grey Nurse Shark, Wobbygongs, Groupers, Turtles, Nudis, Lionfish, and a Moray Eel, a Bubble shell, Bull Rays, Schooling Fish and many more critters of the sea.
Congratulations to Kristie in completing her Open Water Diver Course.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 22°C
- Visibility: 20m-25m
Dive Report by Lindsay
26TH DECEMBER 2016 – BOXING DAY DIVE!
We were in full force today as both Wild Fin and 2 Wild steamed out to the Lighthouse, loaded with snorkelers and divers. Snorkelers enjoyed the Gantry, while divers explored Buchanans for their first and the Gantry as the second. Plenty of action under the sea, including ‘Barnie’ the Loggerhead Turtle, Black Cods, Groupers, Moray Eels, Mantis Shrimp, Schooling Fish, Anemone Fish, Wobbygongs, and more Turtles.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 22°C
- Visbility: 15m-18m
Dive Report by Lindsay
27TH DECEMBER 2016 – WILDFIN AND 2WILD STEAM TO SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND
Snorkelers and scuba divers filled up both our boats today, as we headed out to the Solitary Island Marine Parks we had Dolphins jumping next to the boat.
The snorkelers headed to Split Solitary Island on 2Wild and then out to South Solitary Island to meet the scuba divers who were on WildFin. Plenty was seen by both divers and snorkelers including Turtles, Wobbygongs, Lionfish, Stingrays, Banded Coral Shrimp, Hammerhead sharks in the distance at Buchanan’s Wall and plenty of Nudibranchs at The Gantry.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 18m-20m
Dive Report by Lindsay
28TH DECEMBER 2016 – WARM BLUE WATER!
The Jetty Dive fleet was filled to capacity today, as both boats steamed out for the mornings dives and also afternoon dive/snorkel trip to South Solitary Island. Buchanans Wall was the first entry where we were blessed with warm blue water, then follwed by a drift from Shark to The Gantry. Loads of marine life, including Turtles, Groupers, Lionfish, Wobygongs, Anemone Fish, Schooling Fish, Nudibaranchs, Shovel Nose Ray, Bullrays, Moray Eels and many more beautiful creatures of the sea.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 25m
Dive Report by Lindsay
29TH DECEMBER 2016 – LEOPARD SHARK AND HAMMER HEADS!
Students and certified divers experience a number of sharks today, including a Hammer Head at South Solitary Island. Wild Fin and 2 Wild dived Buchanans Wall and The Gantry, where students completing their very first dive sighted a Shovel Nose Ray, Hammer Head Shark and also a Leopard Shark all in the same day! Also seeing Turtles, Nudis, Wobbygongs, Schooling Fish, Moray Eels, Anemone Fish, and our local groupers.
Congratulations Emily and Amanda in completing their Open water Diver Course.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 20m
Dive Report by Lindsay
30TH DECEMBER 2016 – NEW PADI DIVERS FOR THE END OF THE YEAR
Our boats Wildfin and 2Wild handle this NE wind and swell better than any over boat we have had, this made the trip out to South Solitary reasonably comfortable.
Once at the island we tucked in at Buchanans Wall and The Gantry for both dives, there was plenty to see including Bullrays, Blue Lipped Anemone fish, a Giant Cuttlefish in the cool water off The Gantry, Green Sea Turtles and a tiny Octopus.
Huge Congratulations to Tybalt, Joel, Liam, Caitlin, Alex, Roxane, Mark and Stuart who are all certified PADI Open Water Divers today and to Chris Wratten who finished his PADI Advanced Open Water course.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 21°C-19°C
- Visibility: 8m-15m
Dive Report by Lindsay
31ST DECEMBER 2016 – NEW YEARS EVE DIVING SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND!
We have had a great week of diving South Solitary Island. Hammerheads and Leopard Sharks being just some of the highlights. Today a Leafy Scorpion Fish was spotted at Buchanan’s Wall, while a Crested Horn Shark Was snapped off the Southern end.
We would like to thank everyone who has dived with us this year. We wish you all the best in 2017 and look forward to diving with you again soon!
The Jetty Dive Team
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 18°C-20°C
- Visibility: 5m-15m
Dive Report by Andy
