Dive Reports – February & March 2022
Take a look at our dive reports from February & March 2022! We’ve detailed what we saw, the temperature and visibility, and surface conditions of the Solitary Islands in Coffs Harbour in February & March 2022.
Dive Reports February & March 2022 – Table of Contents:
2ND FEBRUARY 2022 – DIVERS SWIM WITH LEOPARD SHARKS!
Dive one saw our intrepid adventurers roll in at Manta Arch for a swim through the gap to South Boulder. Around 15 Grey Nurse Sharks were seen in the arch itself, with none in the Back Gutter; a Leopard Shark was seen cruising around the western side of the gap along with several Green and Hawksbill Turtles. One of the Green turtles was found tangled in around 30m of Nylon braid, with a few cuts and burns from the braid most was successfully removed by our instructor Nathan, hopefully the last metre or so will work itself loose.
After the surface interval our divers dropped in at Shark Gutters. Highlights of the dive included Nudibranchs, Black Cod, a Blue Angelfish, an Eagle Ray, Abbotts Morays, Queensland Grouper and Orangutan Crabs.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 22°C-26°C
- Visibility: 25m
Dive Report by Nathan
10th February 2022 – Calm sea and great visibility at the Solitaries!
After the last few days of rough seas we were pleased to get back on the water today. Arriving at South Solitary Island this morning we were greeted with great visibility and ideal surface conditions. Dive one was spent enjoying Manta Arch. Grey Nurse Sharks, Turtles, Black Cod, schools of Tarwhine and Trevally, and one lonely Leopard Shark made up just some of the highlights on this dive.
Taking advantage of the slight current, dive two was spent drifting along the Boulder Wall. More Black Cod, loads of turtles and what seem like one trillion schooling fish summed up another awesome dive!
Visibility 25m, temp 26c.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 26°C
- Visibility: 25m
Dive Report by Andy
15th February 2022 – Spectacular South Solitary!
With the wind and swell finally abating MegaWild loaded up and steamed out to South Solitary Island for today’s diving.
First up our divers descended on Buchanan’s Wall highlights included lots of Pelagic life, an Orangutan Crab, Wobbegongs, Old Wives, Abbotts Moray and an an unnamed Nembrotha Nudibranch.
After the surface interval our divers dropped in at Shark Gutters for a drift to the Gantry highlights included a Blue Angelfish, two large male Green Turtles, Blue-Lipped Wide Band Anemone Fish, Octopus and a Honeycomb Moray.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 25°C
- Visibility: 15m-20m
Dive Report by Tara
16th February 2022 – Turtle-y Awesome!
With the sun shining and a boat full of keen divers we steamed out to South Solitary Island.
For dive one we descended on Buchannan’s Wall. Our divers were treated to free swimming moray eels, Duncker’s pipehorse, heaps of wobbegong, and juvenile lionfish.
On dive two we dropped in at Shark Gutters for a drift down to the Gantry. Highlights of the dive included porcelain crab, nudibranchs, green turtles, and an Abbotts moray eel.
Photo thanks to instructor Nathan.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 25°C
- Visibility: 15m-20m
Dive Report by Nathan
17th February 2022 – Nembrothursday!
With surface conditions easing further, 2Wild loaded up and steamed out to South Solitary for today’s diving.
First up our divers descended at Manta Arch, despite finding no Grey Nurse Sharks in or around the arch our divers encountered a Plethitude of fish life, Wobbegongs, Rays, Pygmy Leatherjackets and a Scorpion Leaffish.
After the surface interval our divers dropped in at Buchanan’s Wall for a little better visibility on the second dive. Highlights of the dive included Nudibranchs (including the exotic Nembrotha Sp. found and photographed by our instructor Nathan), Juvenile Yellow Boxfish, Banded Coral Shrimp, Porcelain Crabs, Abbotts Morays, and Blue-Lipped Wide Band Anemonefish.
Congratulations to Ash, Bianca, James on completing their PADI Advanced Open Water Course today.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 25°C
- Visibility: 4m-12m
Dive Report by Tara
19th February 2022 – Turtally Wild Diving!
With a brief break in the wind and swell today MegaWild & 2Wild both loaded up and ventured out to South Solitary Island for today’s diving.
First up Megawild’s divers dropped in at Cleaner Station, whilst 2Wild’s divers descended on Shark Gutters. Highlights of the dive included Nudibranchs, Boxfish, Morays, Blue Groupers, a Leopard Shark and a Sandbar Shark.
For the second dive both boats dropped their divers on their original moorings for a drift to South Boulder. Along the way Black Cod, Greasy Cod, a Marbled Ray, Octopus, Hawksbill and Green Turtles were seen.
Congratulations to Ruby on completing her PADI Open Water SCUBA Diver Course.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 25°C
- Visibility: 10m
Dive Report by Tara
20th February 2022 – Lazy Sunday Leopard Sharks
The conditions at South Solitary Island were magic this morning and everyone onboard Mega Wild could not wait to get in and blow some bubbles.
On dive one the experienced divers started at Manta Arch for a swim around to Cleaner Station where they met with the remainder of the divers exploring the top end and Cleaner Cave. We also had a PADI Free Diver Course happening on the surface at the same time.
Dive two was a drift from Cleaner Station down to South Boulder. The mild current made this a very relaxing and leisurely dive.
Both of these dives had lots to see including Bullrays, Eagle Rays, Orangutan Crabs, Nudibranchs, Turtles, Schools of Tarwhine and Travelly. The highlight today was the multiple Leopard Sharks coming in and checking out our divers.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Andy
22-2-22 – Two Dives at South Solitary for Two’sday!
A beautiful rainbow over Coffs Harbour waved us on as we cruised out to South Solitary Island. We tied off to Shark Gutters for dive one where the highlights included large Marbled Rays, QLD Grouper, Netted Toby, Harlequin Tuskfish, Leopard Shark, Orangutan Crabs, Nudibranchs and many flatworms. A nice cleansing rain shower washed us off as we spent our service interval enjoying warm soups. Dive two was a drift from Shark Gutters down to the Gantry. Highlights included Black Cod, Greasy Cod, Flat Worms, Blue Angelfish, Bicolour Angelfish, Coral Beauties, white eyed moray eels, Green and Hawksbill Turtles.
Congratulations to Barb on completing her PADI Advanced Open Water certification today!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 10m-12m
Dive Report by Tara
23RD FEBRUARY 2022 – HUMPDAY DIVING AT THE SOLITARIES!
A little wind and rain didn’t stop our keen divers from enjoying the sites of South Solitary today. Hopping in at Manta Arch for dive one, our divers made their way through the gap to the Gantry. Banded coral shrimp, black cod, barracuda, moray eels, turtles, a sea hare and tonnes of schooling fish made up just some of the highlights.
Sheltering from the easterly swell, we explored Buchanan’s Wall on dive two. More turtles, lots of wobbegongs and loads of nudibranchs including this one who was discovered by Nathan.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C-25°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Tara
12th March 2022 – Salty Seadog Saturday!
After weeks of terrible weather 2 Wild went out today with excited seadogs ready to finally get back in the water! After a pretty cruisy ride out to South Solitary Island we tied up to Shark Gutters just as the rain started up again. Our divers came back excited after seeing a grey nurse shark, heaps of wobbegongs, stingrays, and huge schools of tarwhine. The sun came out just in time for the second dive and our divers were able to explore Shark Gutters and the north boulder wall. Highlights included a leopard shark, a bull ray, and an eagle ray!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 25°C
- Visibility: 5m-7m
Dive Report by Maryanne
13TH March 2022 – Fish Mania
Our divers enjoyed a ride out to South Solitary on Mega Wild today with a little bit of refreshing rain on the way. Our first dive was at Cleaner Station. Highlights included lots of Queensland Groupers, huge schools of trevally, nudibranchs, and white eye moray eels. After some warming tea and coffee we tied up to Shark Gutters. Divers were treated to lots of bull rays on the wall, juvenile emperor angelfish, orangutan crabs, and lots of blue spotted stingrays.
Thanks to instructor Minnie for the great photo!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 25°C
- Visibility: 5m
Dive Report by Maryanne
14th March 2022 – Dancing Bullrays at South Solitary
With only a small group of divers “2Wild” steamed out to South Sol this morning. Dive one saw all divers drop in at the Cleaner station to explore the cave and gutters. Lots of marine life was spotted on this dive including Wobbegong Sharks, Moray Eels, Nudibranchs, schools of Trevally, and Blue Fusiliers. Taking advantage of the current, dive two was a drift from Cleaner Station to South Boulder. This dive was nothing short of “Spectacular”. Turtles, Black Cod, Bullseyes, lionfish, and schooling fish life were everywhere to be seen. To finish off a great dive some of our divers got to see a dozen Bullrays hanging around the mooring line.
Congratulations to Jessica and Philip on completing your PADI Open Water Course.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 25°C
- Visibility: 5m-7m
Dive Report by Stuart
18TH MARCH 2022 – CHEC OPEN WATER DIVERS EXPLORE SOUTH SOLITARY!
Loaded with excited PADI Open Water students from Coffs Harbour Education Campus, Mega Wild steamed to South Solitary Island! Jumping in at Shark Gutters on dive one, our divers descended right into the action spotting a beautiful leopard shark at the bottom of the mooring line. Again exploring Shark Gutters and the Cleaner Station on dive two, we were able to get up close with plenty of amazing marine life. Wobbegong sharks, black cod, moray eels, eagle rays and our resident juvenile emperor angelfish made up just some of the highlights!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 25°C
- Visibility: 10m-12m
Dive Report by Andy
19th March 2022 – Lenny the Leopard Blenny Spotted at South Solitary!
Today was yet another day of amazing diving at South Solitary Island! Jumping in at Manta Arch on dive one our divers spotted half a dozen grey nurse sharks, eagle rays, black cod and one super cute leopard shark. Sheltering from the freshening southerly breese, dive two kicked off at Shark Gutters. Sooo many schooling fish were seen on this dive along with turtles, wobbegong sharks, one giant box fish and Lenny the leopard blenny who has returned to South Solitary Island after a long hiatus!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 25°C
- Visibility: 10m-12m
Dive Report by Andy
24th March 2022 – Kitchen Sink Diving!
With a break in the surface conditions 2Wild loaded up and headed out to South Solitary for some super diving!
First up our divers dropped in at Manta Arch for a swim to Cleaner Station, a dozen Grey Nurse Sharks were seen in the arch, during the swim to Cleaner several Nudibranchs were spotted (others were striped), along with a very large Leopard Shark, and a school of Batfish hanging around the mooring line on ascent!
Dive two saw our divers roll in at Shark Gutters for a bit of a drift dive to South Boulder. Highlights of the dive included a Green Turtle, Cuttlefish, Nudibranchs, Eagle Rays, Mantis Shrimp, Orangutan Crabs and Painted Crays.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 25°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Nathan
