Dive Reports – January 2022
Take a look at our dive reports from January 2022! We’ve detailed what we saw, the temperature and visibility, and surface conditions of the Solitary Islands in Coffs Harbour in January 2022.
Dive Reports January 2022 – Table of Contents:
10th JANUARY 2022 – BACK IN THE WATER…FINALLY!!
With the tropical cyclone storm system moving on from Southern Queensland and taking its crappy wind and swell with it, Mega Wild finally got out of its pen again to take our divers to South Solitary Island!
Dive one saw our divers descended on Buchanan’s Wall where a Dunckers Pipehorse, a pair of Cuttlefish, Nu
dibranchs, Banded Coral Shrimp, Gold Crowned Gobies, Juvenile Yellow Boxfish and Lionfish were amongst the highlights of the dive.
For the Second dive our divers dropped in at Shark Gutters for a drift dive to the Gantry. A dozen Marbled Rays were seen around North Boulder, and along the way Egg Cowries, Abbotts Moray Eels, Fire Gobies, Cownose Rays and some large Green Turtles were also seen in the gap and at 5m Rock.
Congratulations to Andrew on completing his PADI Advanced Open Water dives as well as Octavius on completing his PADI Open Water Course.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C-22°
- Visibility: 7m-10m
Dive Report by Tara
11th January 2022 – Pipefish Greets Divers!
Sheltering from the Northerly breeze, our divers descended on Buchanan’s Wall for their fist dive of the day. Highlights included (but were not limited to): Banded Coral Shrimp, Dunckers Pipehorse, Nudibranchs, juvenile Yellow Boxfish and a big Marbled Ray.
After a brief surface interval our divers dropped in at Shark Gutters for a drift to the Gantry, along the way we encountered Painted Crayfish, Black Cod, Blue Fusiliers, as well as Hawksbill and Green Turtles.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 21°C-22°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Tara
12TH JANUARY 2022 – BLUE WATER AT THE SOLITARIES!
Today’s calm sea conditions made for a pleasant ride to South Solitary Island this morning. Jumping in at Manta Arch for dive one, we were pleased to see that the blue water had returned. Twenty plus grey nurse sharks were spotted on this dive along with three Queensland groper, eagle rays, bull rays, black cod and a myriad of schooling fish!
Making the most of the current, dive two was spent enjoying the Boulder Wall. Painted crays, more black cod, turtles, eagle rays, mantis shrimp and again one trillion schooling fish were spotted on this dive!
Vis 30 plus meters, temp 23c.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature:
- Visibility:
Dive Report by Tara
13th January 2022 – Blue at Buchanan’s
Today we took out Megawild for a double dive trip to South Solitary Island! Surface conditions were a bit choppy, but once dropping under the water the visibility was fantastic and the water was lovely and warm.
For the first dive, we dropped into Buchanan’s Wall, where some of our divers spotted a Green Sea Turtle. We also saw 3 super-small yellow boxfish, old wives, plenty of nudibranches, some wobbegongs, and various schooling fish. There was a big bull ray, a moray eel, some banded coral shrimp, and some octopus.
For the second dive, we headed down to the gantry. Here there was a school of surgeonfish to start the dive, green moon wrasse, and blue lipped anenomefish. One anenomefish annoyed a turtle and darted at it’s face, and along with a couple more turtles, there were fire gobys, painted crayfish, a pipefish, and our resident blue gropers.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 20m-25m
Dive Report by Tara
14th January 2022 – Blue Water Hanging Around!!
Despite a rolling swell 2Wild powered out to South Solitary for today’s diving, where we happily found the blue water still hanging around!
First up our divers dropped on Buchanan’s Wall where they saw Juvenile Yellow Boxfish, Banded Coral Shrimp, & Nudibranchs.
After the surface interval the divers descended on Shark Gutters for a swim to South Boulder(ish) along the way our divers encountered Queensland Grouper, Pineapple Fish, a Marbled Ray & several Green Turtles.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°c
- Visibility: 25M+
Dive Report by Tara
15th January 2022 – Two Island Duo!
In the comfort of Mega Wild, we made our way to South Solitary Island for today’s first dive!
Jumping in at Buchanan’s Wall, our divers were treated with a variety of marine life including Banded Coral Shrimp, juvenile Yellow Boxfish, Coral Beauty’s, Porcupine Fish, Blue-Lipped Wide-Banded Anemonefish and several large Wobbegongs.
After dive one we headed to Split Solitary Island for today’s second dive. While the visibility at Turtle Cove was a little basic there was still plenty to see. Nudibranchs, Lionfish, Blue Grouper and a Green Turtle were just some of the highlights.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C-24°C
- Visibility: 5m-15m
Dive Report by Tara
16th January 2022 – South Solitary Island Students
We had a change of wind direction this morning which allowed us to get out to South Solitary Island for the days dives.
With the boat full of Open Water and Advanced Open Water students we were limited on dive sites today due to the surface conditions and swell so Buchanan’s Wall was the choice for both dives.
The visibility had dropped slightly but still lots to see including, Wobbegongs, Yellow Box Fish, Puffer Fish, Red Rock Cod, Yellow Flutemouth Fish, Schooling Promfreds and a couple Eagle Rays.
Congratulations to Callista who finished her PADI Open Water Diver Course today.
Photo taken today by Lindsay of a Red Rock Cod.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 22°C-24°C
- Visibility: 10m-12m
Dive Report by Lindsay
17th January 2022 – Yellow Boxfish Bonanza
The conditions today had dropped of marginally which made the ride out to South Solitary Island much more comfortable.
Buchanan’s Wall was the pick again today due to the wrapping swell on the northern end. We had lots to see including Turtles, Black Cod, Lionfish, Banded Coral Shrimp, huge Wobbegongs and one of our guides spotted 16 different Yellow Boxfish scattered all over the bottom, under ledges, rocks and hiding behind Sea Urchins.
Congratulations to Mel and Steven who finished their PADI Advanced Open Water Course.
Congratulations to Aaron, Isaac, Gabbi, Amelia, Gail and Stephen who are all now PADI Open Water Divers.
Photo taken today by Minnie with her new Olympus TG-6 camera
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 22°C-23°C
- Visibility: 8m-15m
Dive Report by Lindsay
18th January 2022 – Queensland Groper and So Much More!
Loaded with excited divers we made our way to South Solitary Island within the comfort of 2 Wild! Sheltering from the wind and swell, Buchanan’s Wall and the Cable Trail were the ideal dive sites today. While there was lots of schooling fish action in the shallows, Buchanan’s Wall was also abundant with marine life including big black cod and one monster Queensland groper! Box fish, banded coral shrimp, octopus and a friendly wobbegong added to the highlights.
On a side note, Gerald the Walrus is still nowhere to be seen. Last known whereabouts Buchanan’s Wall! Find him and receive your $50 voucher.
Vis 8-10m, temp 20-23c.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C-23°C
- Visibility: 8m-10m
Dive Report by Lindsay
19th January 2022 – Great Diving at the Solitaries!
With today providing a brief respite from the prevailing wind and swell of the last few days, 2Wild powered out to the top end of South Solitary Island for today’s diving.
On arrival at Shark Gutters we had a pleasant surprise waiting for us; Clear Blue Water!! For our first dive we rolled in at Shark Gutters, during the dive our divers encountered three Grey Nurse Sharks, some Marbled Rays, Greasy Cod, Queensland Grouper, Popcorn Shrimp and juvenile Yellow Boxfish.
For our second dive we again descended on Shark Gutters to explore a bit more of the top end. Along the way our divers encountered Mantis Shrimp, Dwarf Lionfish, Nudibranchs, Turtles and a large school of Moorish Idols. We also discovered that our Orangutan Crabs have moved back in to Shark Gutters!
Visibility: 10-20m
Water Temperature 21-23°C
Conditions Report:
- Temperature:
- Visibility:
Dive Report by Tara
23RD January 2022 – Sensational South West Solitary
Sheltered from the southerly breeze, South West Solitary Island was our port of call for today’s dives. Jumping in at Coral Garden’s for dive one, our divers were greeted with a massive school of sweep, mado, goatfish and tarwhine right at the bottom of the mooring. Popcorn shrimp, egg cowrie’s, jawfish, dwarf lionfish and one very evasive eastern blue devil made up just some of today’s highlights!
Congratulations to Mattie and Jo on completing your PADI Advanced Open Water Course today. Well done!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 5m-8m
Dive Report by Maryanne
24th January 2022 – Divers delight at South Solitary Island!
After a pleasant ride out to South Solitary we hopped in at the Cleaner Station for dive one. While our open water students enjoyed the schooling Tarwhine within the shallows, the advanced students cruised out to the deep sponge gardens. Collectively our divers saw Nudibranchs, Black Cod, Wavy Lined Bubble Shells, a very sleepy turtle in Cleaner Cave (as photographed today by our Instructor Nathan) and a Grey Nurse Shark hidden almost entirely in a cloud of Yellowtail Scads!
For our second dive, the divers descended on Cleaner Station for a one way swim to South Boulder. More Black Cod, Rays, schooling Goatfish and a large Blue Angelfish made up just some of the highlights.
Congratulations to Fiona, Tom, William, Rowan & Mikaela on completing their PADI Open Water course.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 22°C-24°C
- Visibility: 8m-10m
Dive Report by Tara
25th January 2022 – Summer Diving at The Solitaries!
With the visibility on the improve and the additional current, South Solitary Island was thriving with life today! Dive one saw some of our divers explore Manta Arch where we spotted half a dozen or more grey nurse sharks who were happily patrolling the area. Using the current to our advantage, dive two was spent drifting along the Boulder Wall. Large schools of tarwhine, goatfish, sweep and mado could be seen feeding in the water column, while our divers spotted turtles, bull rays, morays, black cod and a variety of colourful nudibranches swimming underneath.
Congratulations to Aaron, Gabby, Isaac and Ashley on completing your PADI Advanced Open Water Course today. Well Done!
Vis 10-15m, temp 23-25c.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C-25°C
- Visibility: 10-15m
Dive Report by Andy
26th January 2022 – Australia Day Diving on South Sol!
The rain didn’t stop our keen divers from enjoying the calm seas this morning! After a comfortable ride out to South Solitary our divers jumped in at Shark Gutters for an explore of the north side of the island. Clear blue waters greeted us with hoards of schooling sweeps on the surface. There were lots of wobbegongs, nudibranchs, scorpionfish, and the very rare eastern blue devil fish! For our second dive we enjoyed a gentle drift from Shark Gutters to South Boulder. Highlights were a female black boxfish, two giant bull rays, green turtles, spindle cowries, and even more nudibranchs. Photo thanks to instructor Nathan!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C-25°C
- Visibility: 15m-20m
Dive Report by Maryanne
27th January 2022 – Blue Water at the Solitaries!
The Solitary Islands put on a great show for us today boasting very warm, crystal clear water!
Shooting the gap from Manta Arch via the Back Gutter on dive one; highlights of the dive included: Moray Eels, Nudibranchs, juvenile Yellow Boxfish, massive schools of Scads as well as several Green and Hawksbill Turtles.
Dive two saw our divers drop in at Shark Gutters for a swim to South Boulder-ish, along the way Greasy Cod, Wobbegongs and Marbled Rays were seen, our divers also spotted a Spotted Eagle Ray getting cleaned by Cleaner Wrasse on Boulder Wall.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 25°C
- Visibility: 30m+
Dive Report by Tara
28th January 2022 – Warm and Clear at South Solitary Island!
Again the diving at South Solitary Island was nothing short of amazing! Exploring Manta Arch on dive one, our divers were able to get up close with 15 or more grey nurse sharks who were more than happy to mingle with our crew! Bull rays, black cod, green turtles, lionfish and lots of amazing nudibranchs made up just some of the highlights!
Dive two saw some of our divers make a drift down the Boulder Wall while the others explored the Gap. Fish galore on this dive, plus lots of turtle and an amazing interaction with a squadron of eagle rays!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 24°C
- Visibility: 20m-25m
Dive Report by Andy
29th January 2022 – 25 Degree Water at South Solitary
We had a bit of a gloomy start for our dives at South Solitary Island, but the heavens eventually opened later in the morning.
Dive one was at Cleaner Station, we had Bullrays, Lionfish, Juvenile Emperor Angelfish, tiny Yellow Boxfish, Wobbegongs, Moray Eels, and loads of Nudibranchs.
Dive two was a one-way swim from Manta Arch, Through the Gap to South Boulder. This was an awesome dive, and everyone enjoyed the time underwater. Some of the critters spotted were 9-10 Grey Nurse Sharks, Blue Spotted Rays, Schools of fish, Black Cod, and a pleasing sight of Barney the Loggerhead Turtle near The Gap.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 25°C
- Visibility: 15m-20m
Dive Report by Andy
30th January 2022 – LEOPARD SHARKS!!!
There was no better way to spend the day than underwater at the Solitary Islands. While Mega Wild stopped off at South Solitary, 2 Wild ventured further north to North Solitary Island. The visibility at both islands was a magic 35 meters and 26 degrees.
Our North Solitary divers explored Anemone Bay and Fish Soup. The highlights on these dives included 10 or more leopard sharks, turtles, clown fish, box fish, bat fish, mackerel and banded coral shrimp. The same amazing conditions were enjoyed by our divers at South Solitary. Lots of turtles, eagle rays, black cod, Queensland grouper, and one very cute leopard shark were spotted on our dives!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature:
- Visibility:
Dive Report by Andy
31st January 2022 – Aquarium Like Conditions at South Solitary!
With conditions remaining ideal 2Wild cruised out to South Solitary Island for today’s diving!
First up our divers rolled in at Cleaner Station, seen during the dive were a large Queensland Grouper, Wobbegongs, Flutemouths, Trumpetfish, Nudibranchs, Gold Crown Sleeper Gobies and an Orangutan Crab.
For our second dive our divers again descended on Cleaner Station for a drift dive to South Boulder, with a minor detour to the Gap and back. highlights included; Black Cod, Marbled Rays, an Undulated Moray, several Green Turtles including two large males, and right at the end of the dive, a Leopard Shark came into the mooring to say hello!
Congratulations to Ash on completing his PADI Open Water Diver Course
Visibility: 25m
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 22°C-25°C
- Visibility: 25m
Dive Report by Tara
