DIVE REPORTS – JULY & AUGUST 2021
Take a look at our dive reports from July & August 2021! We’ve detailed what we saw, the temperature and visibility, and surface conditions of the Solitary Islands in Coffs Harbour in July & August 2021.
Dive Reports July & August 2021 – Table of Contents:
3RD JULY 2021 – EAGLE RAY GALORE
After almost a week out of the water, we took 2 Wild out to South Solitary Island for a double dive.
Due to abit of easterly swell, we dived Buchanans Wall first up which allowed divers to spot Green Sea Turtles, tonnes of Wobbegong Sharks, Lionfish, cool Nudibranchs, Anenome Fish, along with some Spotted Eagle Rays.
With the swell backing off slighty, the decision for the second dive was to check out Cleaner Station, and make our way around to South Boulder. During this dive, divers spotted plenty of Grey Nurse Sharks, an octopus, large Black Cod, and a fever of Spotted Eagle Rays around South Boulder, filmed by our instructor Stuart.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19-20°
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Tara
8th July 2021 – Tremendous Thursday!!
It started off as a gloomy, eerie morning, but turned out to be a beautiful day of diving at South Solitary with warmer blue waters greeting our divers.
First dive, we descended down Cleaner Station and got up close to a friendly Grey Nurse Shark, and loads of Wobbegong Sharks, in addition to a Cuttlefish, Nudibranchs, and great fish life throughout the dive. Divers could also hear whales singing throughout the dive which we estimate were only a few hundred meters away!
The second dive we decided to check out the Gantry, hoping to be lucky enough to see a curious Humpback Whale, but were instead greeted by Hawksbill Turtles, lots of Wobbegong Sharks, Moray Eels, Blue Spotted Stingray’s and loads of fish for all to see.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 15m
Dive Report by Tara
13th July 2021 – Great Day of Diving at South Solitary
Today we took 2 Wild out to South Solitary Island for a double dive with student and certified divers.
First up we checked out Cleaner Station to be met by Grey Nurse Sharks, Wobbegong Sharks, a Bull Ray, Green Sea Turtles, and tonnes of fish life including Silver Travelly, Kingfish, Stripey’s, Tarwhine, Black Cod, and Blue Grouper’s.
Next up we rolled in at The Gantry, where divers experienced constant background noise from singing Humpback Whales, in addition to a very well camoflaged Octopus, Green Sea and Hawksbill Turtles, Moray Eels, Anenome Fish, Blue Tangs, and lots of pregnant Wobbegong Sharks.
Congratulations to Tara who completed her PADI Advanced Open Water, and Emily for completing her PADI Open Water Course.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C-20°C
- Visibility: 10m-12m
Dive Report by Tara
19th July 2021 – Shark’s, Eagle Ray’s, a Seal and tonnes of fish life!
After a few windy and swelly days, today we took 2 Wild out to South Solitary for a double dive.
First dive we rolled in at Manta Arch, where we spotted approximately 15+ Grey Nurse Sharks including a few large pregnant females in addittion to Black Cod, schooling Travelly, and a few Moray Eels.
During our surface interval we even had a surprise visitor, a SEAL. It popped up a few times next to the boat to have a cheeky look at our divers.
The second dive we descended down Shark gutters, and checked out the top end of the island including the gutters and the Boulder Wall. Highlights include more Grey Nurse Sharks, 4 Eagle Ray’s, Lionfish, lots of large pregnant Wobbegong Sharks, and amazing fish life.
Congrats to Jess who completed her PADI Advanced Course and Darren who finished his final speciality as apart of his PADI Master Scuba Diver certificate. Well done!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 18°C-19°C
- Visibility: 8m-10m
Dive Report by Tara
24th July 2021 South Solitary Island
2 Wild cruised out to South Solitary Island this morning for a double dive with student and certified divers. Our first dive site was Cleaner Station, where divers saw a few Grey Nurse Sharks, Lionfish, large Black Cod, loads of active Wobbegong Sharks, and an abundance of schooling fish life also, including Fusilers, Tarwhine, Stripey’s and Surgeonfish. Our second dive, we checked out Buchanans Wall, which offered us abit more protection. Highlights include Hawksbill Turtle’s, Black Cod, Blue Grouper’s, Nudibranchs, and tonnes of Anenome Fish, Blue Tangs, and more Wobbegong Sharks.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 18°C-19°C
- Visibility: 10m
Dive Report by Tara
27th July 2021 – Terrific Tuesday!!
Today we were greeted with amazing surface and underwater conditions out at South Solitary, with “2 Wild’s” divers enjoying a great half day of diving!
First up, we had our certified divers drop down at Manta Arch and swim around to Cleaner Station, whereas our student divers stayed at Cleaner Station. Highlights include several Grey Nurse Sharks in around Manta Arch and Cleaner Station for all to see, Eagle Ray’s, a Hawksbill Turtle, large Black Cod, tonnes of friendly Blue Groupers, lots of lazy Wobbegong Sharks, and great fish life including Lionfish, Blue Tangs, Fusilers, Anenome Fish, and schooling Travelly.
For the second dive all divers drifted from Cleaner Station down to South Boulder, where there was plenty to see on the Boulder Wall, including a pregnant Grey Nurse Shark, along with lots of other smaller Grey Nurse Sharks, Green Sea Turtle’s, a massive Wobbegong Shark, Nudibranchs, a Moray Eel, and tonnes of fish life.
Congratulations to Luke who completed his PADI Open Water Course today!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 18°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Tara
31st July 2021 – Diving at South Sol and Split Soltary Island
“2Wild” made its way out to South Solitary Island this morning to get Dive One down before the wind kicked in. Certifed Divers and student divers all decended down the mooring line at Buchanans Wall. Down the wall there were Green Turtles, Wobbegong Sharks, Nudibranchs, and a Banded Coral Shrimp, along with a Pipefish (today’s image!).
Split Solitary Island was decided for Dive Two sheltering from the North/East wind, after morning tea all divers dropped in on Turtle Cove mooring. Lionfish, Black Cod, Moray eels, and a lonely Grey Nurse Shark was seen.
Congratulations to David, Maddison and Jenson on completeing there Padi Open Water Dive Course.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 18°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Tara
1st August 2021 – Split Solitary Sunday!
Today we took 2 Wild out to Split Solitary for a double dive with student and certified divers. Due to the North Easterly wind in the morning, Split Solitary was the best option, and it didn’t disapoint.
For both dives we rolled in at Turtle Cove, and checked out almost the entirety of the southern side of the island. Highlights from these include Blue Groupers, really cool Nudibranchs, large schools of stripey’s, Wobbegong Shark’s, Blue Tang’s, a Slipper Lobster, Anemone Fish, schooling Travelly, Black Cod, and Lionfish.
Congratulations to Mark who completed his PADI Open Water Course today!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 18°C-19°C
- Visibility: 10-15m
Dive Report by Tara
2nd August 2021 – Improving Visibility at South Solitary Island
We were welcomed to South Solitary Island this morning with beautiful visibility and some epic marine encounters!
Dive one was at Manta Arch where we had a Deep Specialty Course and some components of the Scientific Diver Course happening and we even had a Seal on the surface just before we went down which was very exciting for our divers. There was two Queensland Groupers near the Arch amoungest 10 or so Grey Nurse Sharks. We also had this cute little Cuttlefish down in the 28m displaying some amazing colours.
Dive two was at Shark Gutters and the Visibility was even better, schooling fish packed out Cleaner Cave and Shark Gutters while a few Grey Nurse Sharks crused around the boulders. Wobbegongs were scatted on the bottom throughout the dive and a very friendly Octopus near the mooring.
Photo taken today by Lindsay
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 18°C-19°C
- Visibility: 15m-18m
Dive Report by Lindsay
6th August 2021 – Student and Certified divers at South Solitary!
Today we took 2 Wild out to South Solitary for a double dive, with all divers enjoying their dives. The visibility today wasn’t specatcular, but the marine life didn’t seem to mind.
First up we descended down Cleaner Station mooring, where divers were greeted by half a dozen Grey Nurse Sharks, large Wobbegong’s, Blue Groupers, Black Cod, and lots of schooling fish.
For the second dive we descended down Shark Gutters, and drifted down to South Boulder. Highlights include, more Grey Nurse Sharks, Bull Ray’s, Eagle Ray’s, more Wobbegong Shark’s, and once again, great fish life along the Boulder Wall.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 18°C
- Visibility: 5m-10m
Dive Report by Tara
7th August 2021 – Clearer Water at South Solitary
South Solitary didn’t disappoint today, as we had a great day of diving. We had students completing their PADI Advanced Open Water course, in addittion to a few local certified divers.
For the first dive we checked out Cleaner Station, where we were greeted by approximately 6 Grey Nurse Sharks, Black Cod, Wobbegong Sharks, Lionfish, and Nudibranchs.
Due to an uphill current, the second dive we did a live drop at The Gap and made our way up to Shark Gutters. Highlights include a friendly Green Sea Turtle, a massive Wobbegong Shark, more Grey Nurse Sharks, an Octopus, and lovely fish life throughout the dive.
Congrats to Susan and Julia who completed their PADI Advanced Open Water course.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 18°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Tara
13th August 2021 – Whales Join our Divers!
Today 2 Wild headed out for a double dive to South Solitary Island with some students and certified divers.
For the first dive, we had our students drop into Cleaner Station whilst our certified divers headed into Manta Arch. Our students got an amazing experience at the start of their dive, as a Humpback Whale that was curious of our boat had swum right up to it, allowing our divers on the surface to have a look at it swimming through the water! They even spotted a second whale further below the first, Lucky divers got a Whale Swim as well as a double dive! You can catch the footage for this on our facebook and instagram pages. Here we saw a few Grey Nurse Sharks, including a very pregnant one, along will Bullseyes, some Nudibranches, Blue tangs and anenomefish and some Gunthers Butterfly fish, and an abbots moray eel.
On the second dive we headed from Cleaner Station to Shark Gutters. The Advanced Open Water students did a navigation dive whilst the certified divers and Open Water Students headed through the gutters. They spotted a turtled right at the start, and plenty of sharks hanging around in small groups all throughout the gutters. There was moon wrasse, tarwine, and bannerfish along with nudibranches, plenty of Morays, and a cheeky black cod. We also spotted lots of friendly blue groupers.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Tara
