Dive Reports – December 2017
Take a look at our dive reports from December 2017! We’ve detailed what we saw, the temperature and visibility, and surface conditions of the Solitary Islands in Coffs Harbour in December 2017.
Dive Reports December 2017 – Table of Contents:
1st December 2017 – Summer is here!
Excited by the fact that Summer has started, we made our way to South Solitary Island for two great dives today. Buchanan’s Wall was busy with all of the usual suspects including Green Turtles, Wobbegong Sharks, Black Cod, Lion Fish and a Crested Horn Shark.
Taking advantage of the current, we started our 2nd dive at Shark Gutters, drifting around to the Gantry. More Turtles, schools of Tarwhine and Goatfish, Bull Rays, Morays and so much more.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C-20°c
- Visibility: 15m
Dive Report by Andy
7th December 2017 – Turtle City @ South Solitary Island
Today’s sea conditions had settled nicely after yesterdays big swell, allowing us to get back out diving at South Solitary Island this morning.
Buchanan’s Wall was the hang out for all of the local Turtles. We even had a large Loggerhead swim around the boat during the surface interval.
Dive two was spent exploring the Cleaner Station and Boulder Wall. Grey Nurse Sharks, lots of Black Cod, Turtles, Lionfish and schooling Tarwhine.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Andy
8th December 2017 – Sharks and Turtles at South Solitary Island!
Today’s dives were filled with marine life, seeing over a dozen Grey Nurse Sharks in Manta Arch! The second dive used the current to drift from Cleaner Station to South Boulder Wall, also seeing more Grey Nurse Sharks, Loggerhead Turtles, Green Sea Turtles, Wobbegongs, Juvenile Clown Trigger Fish, Lionfish, Black Cod, Blue Grouper, Nudibranchs and schooling fish everywhere.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 10m
Dive Report by Andy
10th December 2017 – Crowded Cleaner Cave at South Solitary Island
We had an Advanced Deep dive happening at Manta Arch on dive one while the Open Water Course went to Cleaner Station for some shallower depths.
While there were plenty of Grey Nurse Sharks around, the top end of the island had a lot to show including Lionfish, Nudibranchs, Clown Triggerfish, Bullrays, Green Sea Turtles, Loggerhead Turtles, Bannerfish and Kingfish.
Congratulations to Myles on completing his PADI Open Water Course.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C-22°C
- Visibility: 10m-20m
Dive Report by Lindsay
12th December 2017 – Blue Warm Water at South Solitary Island!
We had perfect conditions out at the lighthouse. Grey Nurse Sharks and a glimpse of a Hammer Head were sighted at Manta Arch for the first dive. The second dive used the current to drift from Shark Gutters to South Boulder. Highlights were Eagle Rays, Turtles, Shovel-nose Ray/shark, Black Cod, Blue Groupers, Moray Eels, Nudibranchs, Wobbegongs, Lionfish, Bull Rays, schooling Bannerfish, Batfish and many more.
Congratulations Luis and Helena in completing the PADI Scuba Diver Course, well done!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 25m+
Dive Report by Andy
13th December 2017 – Hammer Head sighting at the lighthouse!
Conditions again were just magic! Students and snorkelers enjoyed the warm blue water currently at South Solitary Island, seeing an array of marine life including Turtles, Grey Nurse Sharks, Crested Horn Sharks, a glimpse of a Hammer Head Shark, Wobbegongs, Bull Rays, Eagle Rays, Semi-circle Angle-fish, Shovel-nose Ray/Shark, Black Cod, Blue Groupers, Nudibranchs, and schooling fish everywhere!
Visibility 30m Temperature 23c
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 30m
Dive Report by Andy
14th December 2017 – Maclean High School Open Water Divers
Yet again we had another magic day at South Solitary Island with beautiful warm, blue water.
It was a little bumpy on the surface today as we had a steady NW wind but underwater on both dives was amazing.
Dive one we dropped in at Buchanan’s Wall to find Turtles, Blue Lipped Anemones, Lionfish, Wobbygongs and Blue Gropers.
Dive two was a drift from the northern end around to The Gantry, lots of Turtles, Eagle Rays, Bullrays, Angel Fish, Moray Eels and much more.
Congratulations to Bella, Bronte, Lachlan McFarlane, Jake, Nick, Kayli, Alana, Lachlan Clark (who in 2020 came to work for us as instructor!), from Maclean High School who become PADI Open Water Divers today!!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C-23°C
- Visibility: 15m-25m
Dive Report by Andy
15th December – First time divers swim with Turtles!
Today was another great day to be underwater! The visibility was still nice despite the strong northerly winds. Loads to see including Eagle Rays, Turtles, Black Cod, Octopus, Trevally and Tarwhine. Congratulations to Nicole, Fredrik, Kay and Max on completing their Discover Scuba Session with us! This is Kay about to Start her dive with Andrew.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 15m-20m
Dive Report by Andy
16th December 2017 – Balling Catfish Crowd The Gantry
Today’s dives were beautiful!! We had a steady northerly wind from when we got to the island until we left and this made for choppy conditions. On the bottom at Buchanan’s Wall we had a few turtles, Bluetangs, Blue Gropers and Nudibranchs along the wall.
Dive two was a drift from the top end down to the Gantry, a few Grey Nurse Sharks, Bullrays, Box Fish and Lisa spotted 2 Hammer Heads up in 8 metres of water near Boulder Wall and some Balling Catfish at The Gantry.
Congratulations to Paul Barling and Mitchell Thompson who completed their PADI Open Water Course today.
Visibility 10-20m
Temp 19-22C
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C-22°C
- Visibility: 10m-20m
Dive Report by Lindsay
17th December 2017 – Current Brings All Types of Marine Life!
Conditions continue to amaze both divers and snorkelers. Advanced divers first jumped in at Manta Arch for a deep specialty, while other certified and students dived Buchanans Wall and The Gantry. Second dive used the current to drift from Shark Gutters to The Gantry. On both dives we saw an array of marine life including Grey Nurse Sharks, Shovel-nose Ray/Shark, Eagle Rays, Bull Rays, Balling Catfish, Wobbegongs, Spanish Dancer, Nudis, Lionfish, Turtles everywhere and loads of Schooling fish.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Andy
18th December 2017 – Monday Madness!
We were able to sneak a couple of dives in this morning before the northerly wind picked up. Conditions at South Solitary were still peasant on the surface, though the visibility had declined over night. Divers and snorkelers still saw loads of life underwater including Grey Nurse Sharks, Turtles, huge Bull Rays, Blue Grouper, Black Cod, Nudibranchs, Lionfish, Wobbegongs, Moray Eels and schooling fish everywhere!
Congratulations Lachy, Hans and Pierre in completing the PADI Open Water Course, well done!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 8m-10m
Dive Report by Andy
22nd December 2017 – Back in the water
After a few days out of the water due to some inclement weather, 2Wild loaded up and set out for South Solitary. Surface conditions were quite pleasant for the ride out, and on arrival the call was made to dive Manta Arch for the first dive. Two male grey nurse were seen by our divers, along with a plethora of fish life, nudibranchs and a large bull ray.
Dive two saw our divers drop in to Shark gutters, the fish life remained plentiful with large schools of surgeon fish, fusiliers and stripeys, our new resident loggerhead was found squatting in Barney’s cave, a juvenile yellow boxfish was seen, along with several wobbeygongs.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C-21°C
- Visibility: 5m-20m
Dive Report by Lindsay
23rd December 2017 – Christmas is almost here!
We had a smooth ride out to South Solitary Island this morning. Snorkelers and Divers enjoyed both dives despite the limited visibility, Highlights included some close encounters with Grey Nurse Sharks, Turtles, Bull Rays, Wobbegongs, Nudibranchs, Black Cod, Blue Grouper, anemone fish and loads of schooling fish.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visbility: 10m
Dive Report by Andy
24th December 2017 – Christmas Eve Diving!
Visibility had improved significantly, making our Christmas eve dive a memorable one! Divers and Snorkelers enjoyed Buchanans Wall and the Gantry where we were protected from the wind. The second dive was a drift from Shark Gutters to the Gantry seeing loads of Turtles, Bull Rays, Eagle Rays, Wobbegongs, Moray Eels, Nudibranchs, Yellow Boxfish, Semi-circle Angelfish, and a couple of Dolphins riding the boats wake.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 21°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Andy
26th December 2017 – Boxing Day Hammerheads!
Excellent diving conditions at South Solitary Island today! Some of our divers even spotted a school of Hammerheads!
Lots of Grey Nurse Sharks, Turtles, Black Cod, Lion Fish, Box fish, Barracuda and schooling Tarwhine!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 21°C
- Visibility: 15m
Dive Report by Andy
27th December 2017 – South Solitary Lights Up!
Divers left the rain on the main land and found the sun out at South Solitary Island. The visibility was amazing! Divers encountered plenty of Turtles, Grey Nurse Sharks, Blue Groupers, Black Cod, Moray Eels, Lionfish, Bull Rays, Wobbegongs and masses of schooling fish.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 21°C-23°C
- Visibility: 20m-25m
Dive Report by Linsday
28th December 2017 – Hammer Heads at Manta Arch!
Great conditions continue at the lighthouse today. Divers swam with and around Hammer Head Sharks, Grey Nurse Sharks, all kinds of Turtles, Blue Groupers, Black Cod, Moray Eels, Bull Rays, Wobbegongs, Nudibranchs, Octopus, loads of Schooling fish and many more creatures of the sea.
Congratulations Kylie, Cameron, Rod and Chris in completing the PADI Open Water course, well done!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 22°C-23°C
- Visibility: 20m-25mm
Dive Report by Andy
29th December 2017 – Helloooo Mr Puffer Fish!
Once again South Solitary Island provided us with some great conditions today! All of the action was spotted at the northern end of the island. Grey Nurse Sharks, Bull Rays, Black Cod, Turtles, Nudibranchs, bat fish and lots of schooling Tarwhine!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 22°C-23°C
- Visibility: 20m-25m
Dive Report by Andy
30th December 2017 – Great day diving despite the forecast!
This morning both boats loaded up with divers and set out for South Solitary. Conditions were forecast to be windy, but we were right not to trust the Forecast, conditions were quite OK!
“2 Wild” stopped off at Buchanan’s Wall/Cable trail for dive one, while “Wildfin” steamed up to the Gantry. Turtles, Wobbegongs, a juvenile yellow Boxfish as well as Banded Coral, Skunk Cleaner and Peppermint Shrimp and large Slipper lobsters were seen along the wall.
Dive two saw “2 Wild’s” divers drop in at Shark Gutters for a drift to the Gantry, four grey nurse were seen, along with turtles, eagle rays, painted cray’s, lots of Nudibranchs and Headshield slugs.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C-21°C
- Visibility: 15m-20m
Dive Report by Lindsay
31st December 2017 – Beautiful end to 2017
The last day’s diving of 2017 was brilliant!!
Dive one all divers slipped into Shark Gutters and descended onto a number of Grey Nurse Sharks, our divers went on to see Black Cod, Batfish, Lionfish, Boxfish, nudibranchs and an Orangutan Crab.
After a brief morning tea/surface interval our divers dropped in at Shark Gutters for a swim to South Boulder. More grey nurse were seen, along with some Spotted Stingrays, Anemone Fish and giant Wobbygongs.
Congratulations to Nathan who finished off his 2017 with his very first dives underwater.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 21°C
- Visibility: 15m-20m
Dive Report by Lindsay
