Dive Reports – February & March 2020
Take a look at our dive reports from February & March 2020! We’ve detailed what we saw, the temperature and visibility, and surface conditions of the Solitary Islands in Coffs Harbour in February & March 2020.
Dive Reports February & March 2020 – Table of Contents:
1st February 2020 – First dives of the new month!
With the new month upon us already, Wildfin headed out to South Solitary for today’s dives. First up our divers dropped onto Buchanan’s Wall. A large Green Turtle was seen, along with Scorpion Leaf fish, Nudibranchs, Lionfish, Rose Petal Bubbleshells and Spanish Dancers.
After the surface interval our divers rolled in at the Gantry where more Nudibranchs, an itty bitty Hawksbill Turtle, a Clouded Moray, Wobbegongs and a large Sidegill Slug (Photo credit to Nathan) were seen.
Congratulations to Imogen, Jackson, Mattie and Justin on completing their PADI Open Water Diver course.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C-20°C
- Visibility: 5m-10m
Dive Report by Andy
2nd February 2020 – Visibility slowly clearing at South Solitary
With conditions easing significantly from yesterday’s North Easterly blow, 2Wild powered out to South Solitary for today’s diving. First up our divers rolled in on Buchanan’s Wall, where Scorpion Leaf Fish, a Mosaic Moray, Rose Petal Bubbleshell, lots of Nudibranchs, Zebra Lionfish, a Green Turtle and one very friendly Blue Grouper were seen.
Following the surface interval our divers dropped in at Shark Gutters, where a lone Grey Nurse Shark, even more Nudibranchs, some Sea Hares, an Eagle Ray, Orangutan Crab, Blue Angelfish, Black Cod and a wee Hawksbill Turtle.
Congratulations to Jye on completing his PADI Open Water Diver course today.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 4m-12m
Dive Report by Andy
6th February 2020 – South Solitary Island
With a slight Southey wind behind Wildfin it made for a smooth trip out South Solitary Island. For dive one all divers descended on Shark Gutters mooring, more than a dozen Grey Nurse Sharks were spotted, along with Black Cod, Nudibranchs, Octopus, and a large juvenile Yellow Box Fish.
After the surface interval dive two was also on Shark Gutters mooring to hide from the expected Southerly swell, along Boulder Wall Bullrays, Tarwhine, Bullseyes, Painted crayfish, a Guineafowl Pufferfish and a some large Grey Nurse Sharks were seen.
Congratulations to Fynn on completing his PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 21°C
- Visibility: 3m-5m
Dive Report by Andy
22nd Febuary 2020 – Finally Back In The Water At South Solitary Island.
After two weeks out of the water “2Wild” headed out to South Solitary Island, where it was decided Both dives would be at the top end of the Island getting some protection from the southerly wind.
Dive One had all divers descend on Shark Gutters, and the marine life was a amazing! Fish everywhere with two Grey Nurse Sharks, a couple of Eagle rays, Moray Eels, and loaded with schools of Tarwhine and Blue Fusiliers, big Black Cod and don’t forget the small Yellow Box Fish in the Cave being some of the highlights.
After the surface interval it was decided Dive Two would be from Cleaner Station to South Boulder another great dive, with Bull Rays down Boulder Wall, Batfish in the blue, Bull eyes, Black Cod, and a couple of Green Turtles, everywhere you looked something was happening with more fish!
Congratulations to Brendan on completing his PADI Open Water Dive Course!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: a lovely 25 Degrees
- Visibility: a little dirty on top but 10 Metres on the bottom!
Dive Report by Tara
23rd Febuary 2020 – Visibility Improving At South Solitary Island.
After a quick ride out to South Solitary Island, “2Wild” made its way up to the Northern end of the island where surface conditions were calmer. All divers descended down Shark Gutters mooring for their the first dive, a School of Barred Barracuda swam by, Grey Nurse Shark were not abundant but still about in the warm water, then there was Black Cod, Nudibranchs, Mantis Shrimp, schools of Tarwhine, and our local Orangutan Crab were seen during the dive.
After morning tea, Dive Two was a drift dive from Shark Gutters to South Boulder. Marine life was amazing on this dive, you couldn’t see North Boulder wall for fish. Eagle-rays, Moray Eels, Painted Crays, Wobbegong Sharks, Octopus, and a small Hawksbill Turtle were highlights on this dive.
Congratulations to Jessica on Completing her PADI Open Water Dive Course.
Today’s Pic is a Harlequin Shrimp taken by Nathan at North Boulder Wall.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 25°C
- Visibility: 15m
Dive Report by Nathan
25th February 2020 – Lovely warm water and getting better!
Today, 25th February 2020 we headed out to South Solitary for our Double Dive.
For dive one, we descended down to Shark Gutters. Among the schools of fish, there were heaps of octopus! At the start of this dive we saw some lionfish, and a Juvenile Yellow Boxfish. There were Black Cod, Blue Angelfish, and plenty of Wobbegongs. We also saw a Scorpion Leaf Fish in the cave.
We took a our morning tea surface interval, and headed down for our second dive which was Shark Gutters to South Boulder.
Here there were again plenty of Wobbegongs, a Mantis Shrimp, and some Black Cod. We saw Fusilliers, Skates and Spotted Rays on Boulder Wall. There was Flagtail Blanquillos and some Clouded Moray Eels, and an special appearence of a Greasy Rock Cod (pic by Nathan)
Visibility has improved in spots over the 15 mtrs we had on most of the dives. Looking promising with real blue water at depth. Fingers crossed for the weekend!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 15m and getting better in spots
Dive Report by Tara
29th February 2020 – Leap Day Whale Shark
Today, on leap-day 29th February 2020, we saw a whale shark at South Solitary Island…
At the beginning of Dive 1, we dropped down to Cleaner Station. Just below the surface we saw our Whale Shark. This is the first time that Jetty Dive has seen a Whale Shark at South Solitary Island! Take a look at the youtube video on the bottom of this post if you’d like to see it in action.
After descending to the bottom, we made our way into cleaner station cave. Here we spotted some Nudibranchs, and a couple of couple of stingrays. We made our way over to shark gutters. Here there was a puffer fish, some moray eels swimming around rather than hiding behind some rocks and coral. We spotted big schools of tarwhine and bullseyes, and a green sea turtle.
For our second dive, we descended down to Cleaner Station again, to make our way to Shark Gutters, with one of our Divemasters taking their group to Manta Arch. At Manta Arch, they spotted 6 – 8 Grey Nurse Sharks. Back at Shark Gutters, Craig got a great photo of an Ornate Ghost Pipefish. There were 6+ Black Cod, and large schools of fish.
Surface conditions were a bit rough from the south but we were well hidden up the top end of South Solitary for today’s double dive.
Full credit of the GoPro footage goes to Cassie Windows after giving our Instructor Lindsay the fright of his life!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 25°C
- Visibility: 10m
Dive Report by Lindsay
1st March 2020 – The Big and the Small at South Solitary Island
We went out today in search of the beautiful Whale Shark spotted yesterday but unfortunately it must have moved on, this didn’t dampen the moods of the dives at all.
Both dives this morning were up the northern end of the island as this was the calmest location, we had lots of Black Cod, Kingfish, Sweep and Silver Travelly around Cleaner station and along Boulder Wall. Dive two we made our way underwater from Cleaner Station down to South Boulder and the current was ripping! We had a few Stingrays around, a very inquisitive Octopus, a Hawksbill Turtle near South Boulder and this amazing little Ornate Ghost Pipefish in Shark Gutters!!
Photo take yesterday by the talented Craig Lewis
Congratulations to Louise who finished her PADI Advanced Open Water today and to Judy, Emmaline and Sam who all finished their PADI Open Water Course also!!! Thanks for choosing Jetty Dive Centre
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 25°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Lindsay
6th March 2020 – Blue Water At South Solitary Island.
After almost a week out of the water visibility had improved at South Solitary Island, the bottom could be seen from the boat. Dive One had all divers descend down the mooring at Buchanan’s Wall, Lots of interesting Critters on the wall, Leaf Fish, Nudibranchs, sleeping Green Turtles, and wobbegong sharks everywhere.After our surface interval we made our way up to the Northern end of the island, Dive Two a drift from Shark Gutters to the Gantry, making our way round to North Boulder WallSchools of Tarwhine, Trevelly, Bull eyes, and Black Cod were seen. The Gap had all the Turtles, Hawksbill, Green, Loggerheads, all chilling out.Also one group of divers sighted the little Ghost Pipe-fish. Congratulations to Owen on completing his Padi Open Water Dive Course.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 25°C
- Visibility: 15m-20m
Dive Report by Deb
14th March 2020 – Great Hammerhead Shark at South Solitary Island!
With a break in the wind and swell 2Wild headed out to South Solitary for some epic diving! for dive one our divers dropped in for a relaxing dive at Buchanan’s Wall where Nudibranchs, Lionfish, Leopard Blennies, a large Green Turtle, Glass Shrimp, Banded Coral Shrimp, Combtooth Pipefish, and possibly a local colour variation of the Banded Pipefish were seen.
After morning tea, and with a ripping current running dive two saw our divers roll in for a Drift from Cleaner Station to the Gantry. Along the way Mantis Shrimp, Eagle Rays, Spotted Rays,Green & Hawksbill Turtles galore, Leopard Shark, and the main highlight for one lucky group of divers; a lone (~3m) Great Hammerhead Shark!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 25m-30m
Dive Report by
19th March 2020 – Blue warm water at South!
Today, on Thursday 19th March we headed out to South Solitary Island for our double dive!
For our first dive we dropped down into Buchanan’s Wall. We had some lovely water, and just after decending we saw a turtle cleaning it’s shell on a rock! There were plenty of wobbegongs hanging about, and an octopus as well! We saw a few Sampson fish down deep, some old wives , and Bryce spotted a Leaf Scorpion Fish. There were also some little Sand Rays hiding themselves in the sand.
After our surface interval we popped into Cleaner Station to drift to the Gantry. On this dive there were an incredible amount of fish – Tarwhine, Goatfish, Surgeonfish all schooling around us. You could barely see past them – and they blocked the vision of 3 Spotted Eagle Rays from cruising past! Because of this they got quite close to our divers, before zipping off. You can see how much fishlife we had in today’s report photo! We saw more Black Cod too on the second dive, wobbegongs, and a couple more Green Turtles. Right before surface, some of our divers spotted a tiny little black boxfish swimming about.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 15m-20m
Dive Report by Tara
20th March 2020 – Friday Leopard Sharks!
Today on the 20th March 2020, with choppy conditions on the surface we were glad to see beautiful conditions underneath with another day of beautiful clean water.
For the first dive we took Buchanan’s wall which was surrounded in schools of fish milling around, and the highlight of this dive was when we spotted three turtles.
Dive Two was the pick of the dives, a drift from cleaner station to the gantry. On this dive we a leopard shark as we dropped down the mooring line, and another at the gap. So much more was seen on boulder wall including eagle rays, and schools and schools of fish too numerous to describe.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 15m-20m
Dive Report by Tara
21st March 2020 – Solitary Island Marine Parks at its Best
With Wildfin back in action we made our way to South Solitary Island for a double dive.
We were limited to both dives up the northern end due to the southerly wind that had come through but it did not disappoint, we had everything from one lone Grey Nurse Shark, Leopard Sharks, Bullrays, Mantis Shrimp, Black Cod, Travelly, a couple of turtles and plenty of the usual little critters in the gutters.
The weather is looking great for the coming week so book on ASAP!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C-24°C
- Visibility: 15m-20m
- SSW wind and 1.2 m Southerly swell
Dive Report by Lindsay
22nd March 2020 – Calmer Conditions At South Solitary Island
Wildfin ventured out again this morning full of excited divers, Surface conditions had eased overnight so we made our way up to the top end of South Solitary Island.All the divers descended on Shark Mooring, before one group of divers had got to the bottom two Eagle Rays swam by. Visibility had dropped a bit, but the fishlife had increased from yesterday. Black Cod, Wobbegong Sharks, schools of Tarwhine, Surgeon Fish, Blue Fusiliers, were abundant, and the juvenile Yellow Box Fish was seen in the Cave,also spotted by one group of divers was an Ornate Ghost Pipe Fish. After morning tea Dive Two was from Cleaner Station to the Gantry. From North Boulder Wall to South Boulder mooring you couldn’t see the Wall for Marine Life.All the varieties of Turtles were seen Green, Hawksbill, and the Loggerhead. Huge Bullrays, Big Black Cod, Moray eels, a Shovel-nose Ray and a Leopard Shark was seen on as well. File image shown. Congratulations to Alfonsina, Tiaan, Tyla, on completing their Padi Open Water Course.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 25°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Andy
29th March 2020 – Blue, Warm Water at South Sol!
For today’s trip out to the Solitary Islands we took out Wild Fin with 6 customers – maintaining a 1.5m distance between each person (safety first!)
Our first dive was on Buchannans Wall. This dive featured plenty of schooling fish, Tarwhine and Blue Fusiliers, and some big fish in the way of Black Cod. There were some turtles spotted down the wall, some green and even a loggerhead turtle.
For our second dive we took the Gantry to South Boulder. On this dive we had a bit of current, but spotted some wobbeygongs, and fish life as in the first dive. There was crayfish, and more turtles. On this dive we also spotted some moray eels, too! There were also a few Nudbranches on this dive.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 25°C
- Visibility: 15m-20m
Dive Report by Tara
30th March 2020 – Last Dives for a While
Today on 30th March 2020, we took South Solitary.
For the first dive we dropped into Manta Arch. Straight after they dropped, one group spotted a Ornate Ghost Pipefish before heading into the gutters which were full of Grey Nurse Sharks. The Grey Nurse’s came in nice and close to our divers, along with some Lionfish. We spotted some Old Wives, Black Cod, and Nudibranches, and several Moray Eels! We also saw some Eagle Rays
For the second dive, we spotted some Surgeon Tarwhine, Blue Fusiliers and plenty more fish covering the wall – it was hard to see past them! There was a big black cod, and some turtles too!
Congratulations to Anais, Lachlan, and Grant for completing their PADI Open Water Dive Course, and to Brendan for completing his Advanced Open Water Diver Course.
Unfortunately, as of today we are unable to take customers diving due to limits of people in public areas and on vessels. We are a family of Avid Divers so we hope to continue diving during this time to bring you reports and images, to keep you keen to dive when we can return to normal business.We sincerely appreciate your support in this time!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C-25°C
- Visibility: 15m-20m
Dive Report by Tara
