Dive Reports – February 2016
Take a look at our dive reports from February 2016! We’ve detailed what we saw, the temperature and visibility, and surface conditions of the Solitary Islands in Coffs Harbour in February 2016.
Dive Reports February 2016 – Table of Contents
1ST FEBRUARY 2016 – GIANT BULL RAY VISITS SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND
With a very small number of people on the Wild Fin this morning we made our way out to South Solitary Island. The surface conditions at the lighthouse were perfect and the visibility was about 15m.
Dive one was at Buchanan’s Wall and Dive two was a Drift from Cleaner Station around to The Gantry, both dives had a lot to see including Black Cod, Moray Eels, Turtles, Kingfish, Nudibranchs, Eastern Blue Gropers, Cobia, Lionfish and a huge Bull Ray on boulder wall.
Congratulations to Justin for experiencing the underwater world for the first time on his Discover Scuba Dive today!!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Lindsay
4TH FEBURARY 2016 – MANTA ARCH PERFECT HABITAT FOR GREY NURSE SHARKS
We managed to get out and back from South Solitary Island this morning before the strong southerly change this afternoon.
We stayed sheltered up the northern end of the island for both dives with Manta Arch as the first and Shark Gutters as the second, both dives had loads to see including Wobbygong, Mantis Shrimp, Eagle Rays, Black Cod, Painted Crayfish, and about 8-10 Grey Nurse Sharks at Manta Arch, this environment is perfect for this species of shark as it has depth, protection and a great food source. If you want to learn more about Grey Nurse sharks and their habitat have a look at our AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Specialty, you don’t even need to be a diver to do this course!!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 21°C-23°C
- Visibility: 10m-12m
Dive Report by Lindsay
12TH FEBRUARY 2016 – WARM BLUE WATER AT SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND
After a week of strong winds and big swell, we were keen to get back into the water. With blue water on the trip out to South Solitary, we were exited to jump in at Buchanan’s Wall for our first dive. Buchanan’s had plenty of action under the water, seeing Turtles, Rays, Lionfish, Wobbys, Snapper, Eels, Nudis and much more. The second dive we took advantage of the current, drifting from Shark Gutters to the Gantry. Again, we were swarmed with loads of fish including Tarwine, Black Cods, Kingfish, Eagle rays, Bull rays and Turtles. Perfect conditions for a PADI Open Water Course
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 20m-25m
Dive Report by Mike
13 FEBRUARY 2016 – EAST AUSTRALIAN CURRENT AT OUR BACK DOOR STEP
The big southerly pumped through last week which pushed the EAC (East Australian Current) really close to the Coffs Coast.
The water today at South Solitary Island was amazing!! Crystal clear 25m Visibility and a toasty 25C, loads to see on both dives with some large schools of Tarwhine and Travelly up the top end combined with Green Sea Turtles, Bullrays, Eagle Rays, Black Cod and Moray eels, everyone on the boat agreed It was a pretty awesome day under the water!!
Keep an eye on our Facebook for an up coming Night dive!
Congratulations to Scott, Sheridan, and Ricky who all finished their PADI Open Water Diver course today!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 25°C
- Visibility: 25m
Dive Report by Lindsay
14TH FEBRUARY – SUNDAY FUN DAY AT SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND
It was another Beautiful blue day out at South Solitary Island. Buchanans Wall was full of life for our first dive, including Lionfish, Eagle rays, Sweep, Snapper and Tarwhine. Over the past couple of days we have had a raging current, however today it was non-existent. The second dive was at Cleaner Station where our divers made their descent and then cruised on down to finish at South Boulder Wall. Again, loads of Tarwhine, Bullseye, Eagle Rays, Sweep, Lionfish, Black Cod and a friendly Blue Groper.
Congratulations to our newly certified Open Water Divers Hannah, Josh, Jamie, Lynda and Geraldine.
Congratulations Andrew for completing his Digital Underwater Photography Course
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 25°C
- Visibility: 20m-25m
Dive Report by Lindsay
16TH FEBRUARY – MANTA RAY AT SPLIT SOLITARY ISLAND
What a day! It doesn’t look like this warm blue water is going anywhere fast.
To protect us from the rolling swell we decided to dive at Buchanan’s Wall for our first. Our divers saw plenty of fish including a Cuttlefish, Octopus, Painted Lobster, Turtles and schools of Bullseye. For our surface interval we made way for split solitary Island where we enjoyed our morning tea and second dive, where we saw a Manta Ray! Unfortunately the Manta didn’t hang around long enough to ID it, though pretty amazing. Loads to see including Painted Lobsters, Nudibranchs and Turtles also.
Photo was taken today by Sharnee Hoe
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: South Solitary: 26°C, Split Solitary: 24°C
- Visibility: South Solitary 20m-25m, Split Solitary: 8m-10m
Dive Report by Mike
18TH FEBRUARY – LOGGERHEAD TURTLE FEEDING AT SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND
With a small group of divers we were able to cruise on out to South Solitary Island, following the warm blue water. Over the past couple of days the swell had stopped us from diving the northern end of South Solitary, however today we were able to dive cleaner station for our first. The highlight of the dive was our resident Loggerhead Turtle (Barney) feeding on some Sea Urchins at the bottom of the mooring, then casually swimming around our divers in search of more food. We also saw schools of Tarwhine, Black Cod, blue Groper, Moses Perch and a glimpse of a Manta Ray, though no photo evidence. For our second we decided to go to Split Solitary Island where we moored at Coral Corner seeing loads of fish including Nudibranchs, Bullseye, Wrasse and many more.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 26°C
- Visibility: South: 25m-30m, Split: 8m-10m
Dive Report by Andy
19TH FEBRUARY – EAST AUSTRALIAN CURRENT (EAC) AT SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND
With some big swell and northerly winds Wild Fin braved the seas to dive South Solitary Island today. After assessing the conditions we decided to dive Buchanans Wall first, where our Open water Advanced students completed their deep dive as part of their course. Plenty of fish were seen including a Shovel nose Ray aka ‘Scooter’, also a Green Sea Turtle, Trevally and Kingfish. The second dive our students completed their Underwater Navigation dive at the Gantry, where another Shovel Nose Ray was seen and a school of Garfish on the surface.
Want to dive deep? Check out our Open Water Advanced Course
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 26°C
- Visibility: 15m-20m
Dive Report by Mike
20TH FEBRUARY 2016 – “SPOT” THE FRIENDLY LEOPARD SHARK SWIMS WITH DIVERS!
Today’s dives at South Solitary Island were nothing short of amazing. Hiding from the NE breeze our divers enjoyed their first dip at Buchanan’s Wall. Lots of schooling Kingfish, Amberjack, Cobia and even a few Bronze Whalers were spotted on this dive. Cruising around the shallows of Buchanan’s Wall, our divers discovered the friendliest of Leopard Sharks. This guy just wanted to have his photo taken!
Dive two was a leisurely drift from Shark Gutters to the Gantry. Again lots to see! Mahi Mahi, Black Cod, Turtles, Bull Rays and once again our friendly Leopard Shark!
Vis 25m, temp 25c
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 25°C
- Visibility: 25m
Dive Report by Mike
21ST FEBRUARY – GREY NURSE AND LEOPARD SHARKS AT SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND!
Today our divers experienced South Solitary Island at it’s best! From Grey Nurse Sharks to Leopard Sharks the certified divers dropped in at Manta Arch, then swimming through the gap and ending at the Gantry where our Discover Divers were experiencing their first underwater dive. We also uncounted Moray Eels, Eagle Rays, and Turtles. For our second dive we utilized the current and jumped in at Cleaner Station, then making our way to South Boulder Wall. Along the way we saw schools of Tarwhine, Blue Gropers, Black Cods, Bull Rays, Eagle Rays, Turtles, a Cuttlefish, a Crayfish and two friendly Leopard Sharks.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 26°C
- Visibility: 15m-20m
Dive Report by Mike
25TH FEBRUARY 2016 – PLENTY OF TURTLES AT SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND
The dives today at South Solitary Island were awesome, Buchanan’s Wall was the first dive followed by a casual swim on the second dive from Buchanan’s Wall to The Gantry.
So much to see on both dives including Nudibranchs, Lionfish, Spotted Sting-rays, Kingfish, two Guitar Rays near The Gantry and lots of Turtles throughout dives one and two.
Huge Congratulations to Lisa who is now a PADI Open Water Diver and Tess who is a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver and Well-done to Tristen who has finished his PADI Dive Master Course with us at Jetty Dive and is now moving north close to The Whitsundays, Good Luck mate you will be missed!!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 26°C
- Visibility: 20m
Dive Report by Lindsay
