Dive Reports – January 2015
Take a look at our dive reports from January 2015! We’ve detailed what we saw, the temperature and visibility, and surface conditions of the Solitary Islands in Coffs Harbour in January 2015.
Table of Contents:
2ND JANUARY 2015 – FIRST CERTIFICATIONS FOR 2015
We hope that everyone had a great New Year! We started off 2015 with a fantastic double dive at South Solitary Island. A bumpy ride out was well worth while. Although the visibility had dropped, the abundance of marine life was still present.
Today our divers saw Wobbygongs, Grey Nurse Sharks, Turtles, Crested Horned Sharks, Spanish Dancers, Slipper Lobsters, Banded Coral Shrimp and a teeny tiny Box Fish.
Congratulations to Margot, John and Luke for completing their PADI Scuba Diver Course and to Jose for finishing his last Advanced Open Water Dive! Well done!
Conditions Report:
- Light SW breeze, 8knots, 1.1m swell
- Temperature: 22°C-23°C
- Visibility: 10m-12m
Dive Report by Lindsay
3RD JANUARY 2015 – UNREAL DIVING AT SOUTH SOLITARY!
With “WildFin” packed full of excited divers we shot out to South Solitary Island for two amazing dives this morning! Dive one had divers at both Manta Arch and Cleaner station. So much to see on this first dive including a dozen or more Grey Nurse Sharks, Wobbegong Sharks, Black Cod, schooling Tarwhine and Goatfish. Dive two was a leisurely drift from Shark Gutters to the Gantry. More Sharks, Black Cod, Turtles, Lionfish, Moray Eels and schools of fish were spotted on this dive!
Conditions Report
- Calm seas made for great surface conditions today
- Temp 22C
- Vis 10-15m
4TH JANUARY 2015 – GREY NURSE PARTY AT SHARK GUTTERS
This morning was a little lumpy but we punched out to the Lighthouse for 2 dives. The first dive of the day was at Buchanans Wall; Black Cod, Banded Coral Shrimp, Lion fish and a Decorator Crab were just some of the highlights. Second dive was from Shark Gutters to The Gantry… via cleaner station and Boulder Wall; 14+ Grey Nurse were observed at the northern end of the island, in and around the gutters; along with a plethora of different nudibranchs, a Hawksbill turtle was seen demolishing a jellyfish was seen on the drift near the Gap and an as yet unidentified Moray was seen in the swim through.
Photo today is of a Grey Nurse in the Shark Gutters swim through by one of our instructors; Nathan.
Conditions Report:
- NE breeze 8 knots, 1.2m swell
- Temperature: 21°C – 23°C
- Visibility: 10m-12m
Dive Report by Lindsay
5TH JANUARY 2015 – A MACRO FEAST!!
Today we headed back out to South Solitary for our dives, despite the overcast conditions we had a very smooth ride out to the light.
Our first dive was at Shark Gutters, with 9 Grey Nurse in the swim through, a Crowned Puffer; Mimic File Fish, Lionfish, and a further four Grey Nurse in the Cleaner gutter/cave. Over a dozen different species of nudibranch were seen by one group on this dive alone!!
The second dive saw Lindsay’s Open Water course drop in to the Gantry where they saw a lone Hawksbill turtle, two Green turtles and three spotted rays.
Meanwhile the certified divers dropped in at Shark Gutters for a drift down Boulder Wall to the Gantry. another 2-3 Grey Nurse were seen, along with Painted Crays, Wobbygongs, Abotts Morays, a mystery opisthobranch and of course more nudibranchs!!
Today’s photo is a small Lionfish at the Gantry 5m rock, taken today by Nathan.
Conditions Report:
- A slight bump from the East, barely enough to make the top end uncomfortable
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility 8-12m.
Dive Report by Nathan
6TH JANUARY 2015 – OPEN WATER DIVERS MIX IT UP WITH GREY NURSE SHARKS
Once again our Island of choice was South Solitary for our dives, with another smooth ride out to the light.
First up was Cleaner Station, the Cleaner gutter was void of Grey Nurses today, but still jam packed with macro life; numerous Nudibranchs, an Umbrella Shell, Mimic File Fish and a lone Yellow Boxfish. Over to the Shark Gutters swim through, where even more Nudibranchs awaited, along with a couple of Grey Nurse, Black Cod, Semi-Circle Angelfish, a Spanish Dancer and Lionfish.
For the second dive we dropped in to Shark Gutters for a drift to the Gantry via Boulder Wall. More Grey Nurse were seen, a small Hawksbill Turtle was spotted at North Boulder, two massive Wobbygongs, Lionfish and Golden Egg Cowries were seen on 5m Rock.
Congratulations to Nicole, Melissa, Kate, Janinia, Clemens, Solveig who completed their Open Water dive course today.
Today’s photo is the baby Yellow Boxfish found in the Cleaner cave, taken today by Nathan.
Conditions Report:
- A slight bump from the East-North-East, but not even enough to make the top end uncomfortable.
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility 6m-10m
Dive Report by Nathan
8TH JANUARY 2015 – 20M VISIBILITY IS BACK!!
Once again we set off to South Solitary Island, visibility had jumped overnight to 15-20m, a lot better than the 12m yesterday.
First up was Buchanans Wall, where our divers saw Lionfish, a banded coral shrimp and plenty of Nudibranchs.
For the second dive we jumped in at Shark Gutters for a drift to the Gantry. Several Lionfish were seen in Cleaner Gutter, as well as a female Grey Nurse gnashing its teeth!! More Nudibranchs, Turtles and two Eagle Rays were seen along Boulder Wall.
Conditions Report:
- Slight swell with no breeze.
- Temperature: 21°C – 22°C
- Visibility: 15m-20m
Dive Report by Lindsay
9TH JANUARY 2015 – WHEN THE RAYS COME OUT TO PLAY!
A beautiful sunny morning allowed for a pleasant ride out with a packed boat of keen divers.
The first dive was at Buchanan’s Wall where our divers saw many nudibranchs, a little lionfish, a crested horned shark, and even a blue ringed octopus!
The second dive was a drift dive from Shark Gutters to the Gantry where divers were swept past an eagle ray, two massive bull rays and blue spotted rays!
Congratulations to Patricia, Blye, Kara, Sophie and Andrew for completing their open water course! Well done!
Conditions Report:
- Light NNE breeze 8Knts, 1.4m Swell
- Temperature: 19°C – 20°C
- Visibility: 12m
Dive Report by Lindsay
10TH JANUARY 2015 – EVERYTHING!!
With a Northerly wind blowing, we bumped our way to South Solitary Island. Although Lovely and calm in the shelter, we again braved the bounce to drop in at the Northern end for some shark action. Grey Nurses were seen by all and a Hammerhead was seen by some! Also sighted was possibly a Sandbar shark.
Dive 2 was again a split drop with one Group spotting 3 Dolphins underwater at Buchanan’s wall. whilst the other group encountered sharks at Shark Gutters. Dolphin image is not from today, but what it looked like.
Nice Vis and a bit cooler below the thermocline!
Conditions Report:
- NE breeze 10-15 Knts, 1.5m Swell
- Temperature: 19°C – 20°C
- Visibility: 15m
Dive Report by Lindsay
11TH JANUARY 2015 – SOUTH MAKES IT POP!!
A very still, humid morning and lumpy boat ride gave way to some awesome diving!!
Today’s first dive was from Shark Gutters to South Boulder. Several Grey Nurse were seen in both the Cleaner Gutter and at Shark Gutters, Eagle Rays, Black Cod, Nudibranchs and Lionfish were also seen.
After the surface interval, we dropped back in at Shark Gutters for the second dive; a drift down to the Gantry. More Grey Nurse were seen, along with another Eagle Ray, Spanish Dancers and a Shovelnose Ray.
Conditions Report:
- A little bumpy on top but lovely underneath
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 15m-20m
Dive Report by Andy
12TH JANUARY 2015 – FISH SOUP ON BOULDER WALL
The forecast this morning predicted some strong southerlies which would of put our trip on hold none the less we steamed out to South Solitary Island and the conditions were surprisingly good.
Dive 1 was at Shark Gutters where our divers saw roughly five Grey Nurse, Lion Fish, Turtles, Black Cod, King Fish, Eagle Rays and plenty of Nudibranchs.
Dive 2 was a return swim from Shark Gutter to South Boulder and back again where the Wall was covered with large schools of fish, Tarwhine, Sweep, Stripeys, Goat-Fish, some Large Snapper, Bullrays and Nathan’s Students got a bit of a fright when Barney the Loggerhead Turtle came flying out of Cleaner Station Cave… I think they woke her up!!!
Conditions Report:
- Southerly change, slight East swell at northern end
- Temperature: 21°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Andy
13TH OF JANUARY 2015 – CERTIFIED DIVERS RAVE ABOUT NORTHERN END
The NE swell was still present on our trip out to South Solitary Island this morning, although it was not big enough to stop us from doing both of today’s dives up the northern end.
Underwater the visibility had improved a little on yesterday but there was a slight current heading south.
Dive One was at Shark gutters where about six Grey Nurse Sharks were seen, Eagle Rays, Kingfish, Blue Gropers and a few sneaky Turtles!!
Dive Two went from Sharks Gutters to South Boulder to take advantage of the current, the abundance of life on Boulder Wall was insane with large schooling fish, Bullrays, Wobbygongs, Lion Fish, Black Cod, Grey Nurse sharks and the list goes on.
Congratulations to Jan, Sophie and Liam for becoming PADI Open Water Divers
Conditions Report:
- Large swell with slight NE chop
- Temperature: 21°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Lindsay
15TH JANUARY 2015 – BACK IN THE WET STUFF
After putting our staff in dry dock for a day, we headed back out to South Solitary for today’s dive fix.
First up we dropped in at Buchanan’s Wall; a small Green Turtle, a Pipefish, a tiny Dwarf Lionfish and a Blue Dragon nudibranch were seen at the deeper end of the wall.
For the second dive we rolled up to Shark Gutters where several large Grey Nurse were seen. Six Chelidonura Inornata Headshield Slugs were seen within a 30cm radius of each other in the Cleaner Station gutter, a Hawksbill turtle and Black Cod were also seen.
Congratulations to Charlotte who finished her Open Water course today!
Conditions Report:
- Smooth surface conditions
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 5m-8m
Dive Report by Lindsay
16TH JANUARY 2015 – CLOSE ENCOUTERS WITH SHARKS AND TURTLES AT SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND
We had another cracker day out at South Solitary Island, visibility was slightly up from yesterday but still not the 30m we want.
The limited vis allowed our customers to get up close and personal with a handful of Grey Nurse Sharks up the top end and Barney the local female Logger Head Turtle who was munching on some Sea Urchins in the third gutter!!
Boulder Wall had more fish than you could poke a stick at and about 3 Green Sea Turtles near The Gap at the end of a very relaxing drift dive from Shark Gutters to The Gantry.
Conditions Report:
- Very flat and calm with a slight SE Swell
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 5-8m
Dive Report by Lindsay
17TH JANUARY 2015 – BARNEY WATCH YOUR BUOYANCY!
With perfect surface conditions, South Solitary Island provided us with some great dives today.
Despite the visibility being a little basic, our divers spotted a huge variety of marine life! Grey Nurse Sharks, Black Cod, Pipefish, Spotted Sweetlip, Lionfish and an array of Nudibranches were spotted on the first dive.
During today’s second dive we were lucky enough to spot “Barney” the Loggerhead Turtle clambering her way up the Boulder Wall along with a rather large Bullray and Scooter the Shovel Nose!
Conditions Report:
- Flat and calm
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 5m
Dive Report by Lindsay
18TH JANUARY 2015 – A VISIBLE IMPROVEMENT OVERNIGHT
With surface conditions that can’t get any better, and South Solitary Island surprised us with a massive improvement on yesterday’s visibility!
For the first dive we cruised down Buchanan’s Wall, numerous Nudibranchs, a Banded Coral Shrimp, some Lionfish, a massive Wobbegong, a Crested Horn Shark and a Blue Ringed Octopus.
For the second dive we dropped into Cleaner Station for a “drift” to South Boulder. Even more Nudibranchs were seen, along with Grey Nurse, Lionfish, Black Cod, Spanish Dancers and an Eagle Ray.
Conditions Report:
- Flat and Calm
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility 8m-10m
Dive Report by Lindsay
19TH JANUARY 2015 – RIPPING CURRENT BRINGS IN CRYSTAL CLEAR WATER
With surface conditions dropping slightly from the idyllic conditions of late, we headed back out to South Solitary.
We dropped in to Cleaner Station with a roaring 3-5 knot current, which fortunately has pushed in some clean, blue, 26 degree water!! The dive went well, with Yellow Boxfish, Lionfish, Slipper Crays, many Nudibranchs and Barney being seen!
Due to the safety stop looking like some sort of crowded flagpole, we headed into South West Solitary Island in search of calmer waters for morning tea and dive two.
For the second dive we rolled into Crazy Maze for a drift to Coral Garden. Egg Cowries, Blue Lipped Anemone Fish, Turtles and thousands of Nudibranchs & Seahares.
Conditions Report:
- Bumpy
- Temperature: 26°C
- Visibility: 15m and improving
Dive Report by Lindsay
21ST JANUARY 2015 – GREAT EXPECTATIONS REALISED!!
After Monday’s visibility increase we headed back out to the light with high hopes… The island didn’t disappoint!!
First up we dropped onto Buchanans Wall with the usual array of Nudibranchs, Banded Coral Shrimp, Lionfish and an unusually large number, of even larger Wobbegongs!
Mike and Deb rolled over the side for a surface interval dive for Deb’s Birthday. Starting at cleaner and ending at the Gantry via Manta Arch, over a dozen Grey Nurse were seen in the arch, along with some strange new Nudibranchs in the Gap and seven.
For the second dive we headed to Cleaner Station for a drift to the Gantry. Three Eagle Rays were seen flying together along Boulder Wall, big Black Cod and Turtles were also seen.
Congratulations to Evelyn and Rhiannon who completed their Open Water Course today, along with Ben who completed his Junior Open Water Course.
Conditions Report:
- Fair
- Temperature 25.5°C
- Visibility: 25m-30m and improving
Dive Report by Lindsay
23RD JANUARY 2015 – EAST AUSTRALIAN CURRENT BRINGS IN BEAUTIFUL WATER!!
The Diving charter today was a 50/50 call with some ugly easterlies bashing the coast.
Wildfin punched it out to South Solitary Island where we found refuge at Buchanan’s Wall for dive one. Everyone underwater today had some close encounters with Turtles (Green Sea and Hawksbill), Wobbygongs, Spotted Sting Rays and a Eastern Blue Devil Fish on the wall.
We couldn’t move far from Buchanan’s mooring so dive two was at The Gantry where our divers seen about 5 Turtles, Lionfish, Moray eels, Golden Egg Cowries, Nudibranchs, Blue Lip Anemone’s and a very friendly Shovel Nose Ray.
Congratulations to Jack Stephens who has finished all of his PADI Deep Specialty Course!! Well-done mate
Conditions Report:
- Large rolling swell, nice at Island on Western side
- Temp 24C
- Vis 15-20m
Dive Report by Lindsay
25TH JANUARY 2015- GREAT DIVING CONDITIONS AT SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND!
After a day off from diving we were all very keen and eager to get back in to the water today.
With ideal surface conditions, Buchanan’s wall was chosen for our first dive. All the usual suspects were spotted including Black Cod, Lionfish, Cuttlefish and an array of Nudi’s.
Dive two was everybody’s favorite drift from Shark Gutters to the Gantry. Again there was so much to see including “Scooter” the Shovel Nose Ray, a Giant Bull Ray, Eagle Rays and hundreds of schooling Tarwhine and Goatfish.
Conditions Report:
- Nice on top today
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Andy
26TH JANUARY 2015 – HUNDREDS OF FUSILIERS AT SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND!!
The boat trip out to South Solitary Island this morning was a lot better than yesterday due to minimal wind this morning.
We tied up to Shark Gutters mooring for dive one where our divers seen half a dozen Grey Nurse Sharks, Eastern Blue Gropers, Nudibranchs and some baby Wobbygongs.
Dive two we took advantage of the current and done a drift from Sharks Gutters to South Boulder where the visibility had dropped to around 5m but only below 10m of depth. There was some huge Black Cod on Boulder Wall with large schooling Kingfish and hundreds of Fusilier Fish
Congratulations to Darryl Bush for completing his PADI Naturalist Speciality today!!
Photo taken today of 2 Nudibranchs doing their thing!!!! Great Photo Sarah Devery
Conditions Report:
- Slight lump but over all wonderful.
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 5m-8m
