Dive Reports – January 2018
Take a look at our dive reports from January 2018! We’ve detailed what we saw, the temperature and visibility, and surface conditions of the Solitary Islands in Coffs Harbour in January 2018.
Dive Reports January 2018 – Table of Contents:
2ND JANUARY 2018 – FIRST DIVE OF THE NEW YEAR.
For the first dives of 2017 2018 we loaded up both boats and headed out to South Solitary. After a pleasant ride out, our divers dropped in at south boulder for the first dive. the divers from Wildfin saw Grey Nurse Sharks, a large Shovelnose Ray, a Jawfish, Balling Catfish, Turtles and a Sandbar Shark.
Dive Two saw our divers dropping in at Shark Gutters, More Grey Nurse were seen, along with several Bullrays, a Green turtle, a Hawksbill turtle, Nudibranchs, Lionfish, Boxfish and Lindsey the Loggerhead also made an appearance.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 20m-25m
Dive Report by Lindsay
3rd January 2018 – Orangutan Family make South Solitary Island Home
We had Wildfin and 2Wild completely packed today with Students and certified divers, once at South Solitary Island the northern end was the suitable site due to a steady southerly winds blowing.
Dive one our divers saw lots of schooling fish, Bullrays, Blue Spotted rays, Grey Nurse Sharks, a large Kidako Moray Eel and some beautiful Nudibranchs.
On dive two some of our divers ventured down to South Boulder and some peeped around to Manta Arch. Plenty to see including Grey Nurse Sharks, Green Sea Turtles, a rare Leopard Blenny and a very rare family of Orangutan Crabs in Shark Gutters!! These guys were curled up under an Anemone just waiting for Nathan to take a photo.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 21°C
- Visibility: 10m-18m
Dive Report by Lindsay
6th January 2018 – Manta Ray and Hammerheads just some of the highlights!
Today’s spectacular sea conditions allowed us to dive at North Solitary, North West Solitary and South Solitary Islands. Some our divers were lucky enough to spot Hammerhead Sharks at both North and South Solitary Islands while a Manta Ray was the highlight at North West Solitary. Visibility was a glorious 20-25m and water temp between 23-24c.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C-24°C
- Visibility: 20m-25m
Dive Report by Andy
7th January 2018 – Hammer Heads hanging around at South Solitary
Today’s dives at South Solitary Island were amazing!!! With both boats full and ready to go we arrived to a welcoming 22C and 20-30m visibility.
All the divers today seen lots including Turtles, Porcelain Crabs, Painted Crayfish, Grey Nurse Sharks, Black Cod and a few of our divers were lucky enough to see 20 Scalloped Hammer Head Sharks just out from Manta Arch!! Great to see them sicking around for our customers.
Congratulations to Claudia, Jack and Steve who all completed the PADI Discover Scuba Diving Program today!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C-22°C
- Visibility: 20m-30m
Dive Report by Lindsay
8th January 2018- Manta Monday at South Solitary Island
February and March are months of the year when we are more likely to see Manta Rays at South Solitary Island. Arriving a little early, we were pleasantly surprised to see our first Manta of the year cruising the shallows of the Gantry.
Other highlights on today’s dives included Grey Nurse Sharks, Black Cod, Turtles and a Shovel Nose Ray.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 22°c-23°c
- Visibility: 15m-20m
Dive Report by Lindsay
9th January 2018 – Marine Park Comes Alive
We had a slightly bouncy trip out to South Solitary Island today but found shelter at Buchanan’s Wall for dive one, after some morning tea dive two was a drift from the top end down to The Gantry.
Our divers saw lots including Turtles, Bullrays, Blue Tangs, Banded Shrimp, Wobbegongs, Hammerheads in the gloom and some beautiful Lionfish on Boulder Wall.
The Drift dive was our divers favourite for today and finding all the Nudibranchs at The Gantry.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C-21°C
- Visibility: 10m-12m
Dive Report by Lindsay
10th January 2018 – Manta Mania!
Again today a Manta Ray was spotted at South Solitary Island this morning! Cruising the shallows around Shark Gutters, some of our divers were lucky enough to spot this gentle giant. Grey Nurse Sharks, Black Cod, Turtles and Bullrays were just some of the highlights.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C-22°C
- Visibility: 10m-12m
Dive Report by Andy
11th January 2018 – Ray city at South Solitary
The Ocean today was beautiful and flat which made surface conditions awesome!! although the water was a little dirty and cold South Solitary Island still had a lot to offer including Bull Rays, spotted Sting Rays, Shovel Nose Rays and an absolute monster on a Grey Sting Ray which would of measured an easy 6 metres long!!
Lots of Nudibranchs around and Lindsey the Loggerhead was having a nap in Cleaner Station cave. Congratulations to Kye and Jase who completed their PADI Open Water Course today
Visibility 8-10m
Temp 19-20C
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C-20°C
- Visibility: 8m-10m
Dive Report by Lindsay
12th January 2018 – Open Water Divers swim with Turtles
Visibility was still a little low today along with the temp but the marine life under water was in abundance.
With both boats out we had all the students on Wildfin and certified divers on 2 wild, the northern end was the calmest although there was no wind what so ever.
All the divers had a good time and saw plenty including Grey Nurse Sharks, Turtles everywhere, Fiddler and Shovel Nose Rays, Blue Tangs and much more.
Congratulations to Izaac, Victor, Danielle, Liam, Adam, Taylor and Lilly who all completed the PADI Open Water Course today.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 17°C-20°C
- Visibility: 8m-10m
Dive Report by Lindsay
20th January 2018-Back at South Solitary Island
After a few days of rough seas and strong winds, we were out at South Solitary Island again yesterday and today.
With the swell dropping today, conditions were suitable for diving but not fantastic. Visibility picked up to around 10 to 15 metres today in patches, however it dropped slightly during the morning with the tide. Plenty of fishlife activity with schools of Surgeonfish and Tarwhine, along with Big Black Cod. No signs of Grey Nurse in the Shark Gutters and Cleaner Station dive-sites region. The divers also sighted a number of different Nudibranchs.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Mike
21st January 2018 – Conditions improved at South Solitary
Conditions both on the surface and underwater improved today out at the “Light”. As the day went on a slight current picked up and so did the visibility. The water had a nice blue to it, but still a little milky at the start. Still ony a brief sighting of 1 Grey Nurse Shark, but it seemed all the fish were out swimming. Schools of Tarwhine and Sweep along with Red Morwong in abundance at Boulder Wall. Lionfish seemed to be everywhere and so did the Black Cod. With the rough seas last week, we have seen the Striped Catfish move camp from the Gantry to the Gap.
Lots of Nudibranchs are out and about too. Congratulations to Oscar for completing his PADI Open Water Diver Course
Picture of Kamahl during his PADI Advanced Course and Louise
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C-24°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Mike
22nd January 2018 – Waiting the 30 m visibility
With being told that the blue water is nearly here and the unexpected visibility up the northern end of South Solitary Island the Gantry was the prime spot with 8-10m visibility and plenty to see including turtles, Eagle Rays, Fusilers, Blue Tangs, and couple of Bluelipped Anenomes near 5m rock
Fingers crosses for clear water tomorrow!!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 3m-10m
Dive Report by Lindsay
23rd January 2018 – Open Water Students Swim with Hammer Head Sharks
The surface was still a little choppy but the visibility had improved a lot at South Solitary Island, everyone decided to do Manta Arch for dive one and some of the divers went through the Gap to The Gantry.
Underwater on both dives the water was a little milky but still good enough for everyone to have a good time, plenty to see today including Black Cod, Giant Guitar Shark, Grey Nurse Sharks, huge Wobbegongs, Lionfish and Moray Eels.
The Open Water Students that got certified today had a special treat and swam with around 30 – 40 Hammer Head Sharks in the back gutter!!! Video footage to come.
Congratulations to Jack, Gavin, Josh and Tash who completed their Open Water Course today.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 10m-14m
Dive Report by Lindsay
24th January 2018- Grey Nurse Sharks being hunted by Hammerheads!
Today was almost perfect conditions on top of the water and very good underwater at South Solitary Island.
Whilst our Open Water Diver students were on one side of the island enjoying flat conditions, at Manta Arch the certified divers enjoyed a great dive with heaps of Grey Nurse Sharks. It was obvious they were hiding from something as we had 15 sharks under the Arch and hugging the bottom, whilst in the back gutter were more including this poor Nurse that had been hit by a Hammerhead. We hope that it will recover from a horrific bite, but it proves our thoughts as why are the Hammerheads hanging around, because they eat Grey Nurse Sharks!
The diving conditions have improved again on yesterday, however it was a little cloudy up on the northern side. Lots of action, Eagle Rays, Bull Rays and a carpet of Striped Catfish near boulder Wall
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C-25°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Mike
25th January 2018 – Certified Open Water Divers
Grey Nurse Sharks, Turtles and Bullrays all welcomed our new PADI Open Water Divers into the world today as they all become certified!!!
Dive one was at Buchanan’s Wall and Dive two was a drift through the gap in the island around to The Gantry, both dives had plenty to see including Blue Groupers everywhere, Kingfish, Bullrays, Abbotts Moray Eels, Nudibranchs, and much more!
Congratulations to Finn, Clancy, Sam, Hamish, Andrew, Kobi, Annie, Piper, Bella and Peter who all finished the Open Water Diver Course and join the bubble blowing world.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 10m-14m
Dive Report by Lindsay
26th January 2018 – Manta Ray for Australia Day
Australia day 2018 will be remembered for the beautiful Manta Ray that swam with our scuba divers and even snorkelers at the Gantry, The ray hung around in the area for about 15-20 mins and lots of people got to see it.
2Wild done their dives up the northern end and got up close with a dozen Grey Nurse Sharks, Black Cod and schools of Tarwhine. We had lots of Moray Eels around and a cheeky Octopus near The Gantry.
Congratulations to Ben who completed his PADI Open Water Course today!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 12m-15m
Dive Report by Andy
27th January 2018 – Hammerheads! Eagle Rays! Turtles!
Today was yet another magical day of diving at South Solitary Island! Great vis and warm water made for ideal conditions. Some of our divers were even lucky enough to spot a school of Hammerheads off Manta Arch! The Boulder Wall was also the place to be! Check out this Eagle Ray who come to say hello!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 15m-20m
Dive Report by Andy
28th January 2018 – Brand New Open Water Divers
We had some very happy PADI Open Water divers today who completed their four day course at South Solitary Island.
There was lots to see up the northern end of the island, at the Gantry and Buchanan’s Wall including Moray Eels, Black Cod, Eagle Rays, Spanish Dancers, Painted Crayfish and a very chilled out Hawksbill Turtle.
Congratulations to everyone who become Open Water Divers today!!
Lauren, Bree Muguette, Danah, Janine and Sheldon.
Keep blowing those bubbles!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C-24°C
- Visibility: 12m-18m
Dive Report by Lindsay
