Dive Reports – May 2015
Take a look at our dive reports form May 2015! We’ve detailed what we saw, the temperature and visibility, and surface conditions of the Solitary Islands in Coffs Harbour in May 2015.
Table of Contents:
6TH MAY 2015 – SHARKS ARE BACK @ SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND
After a week out of the water due to bad weather we were all very keen to get out for a dive at South Solitary Island today.
Although the visibility was a little basic there was still a lot to see. Buchanan’s Wall was today’s first dive site. Lionfish, Moray Eels, Octopus and a Green Turtle were just some of the highlights on this dive.
Dive two was at our favorite site, Shark Gutters. Among the thousands of schooling fish there was a few Grey Nurse Sharks spotted on this dive, great to see them once again in the shallow water.
Conditions Report:
- Nice on top today
- Temperature: 22°C
- Visibility: 5m
Dive Report by Andy
9TH MAY 2015 – FISH SOUP @ BOULDER WALL
What a day to be on the water! No wind and very little swell made for a smooth trip to South Solitary Island this morning.
The visibility was a little basic but this didn’t effect the amount of marine life spotted by our divers. Grey Nurse Sharks, Kingfish, Black Cod, Moray Eels, Lionfish, Wobbegong Sharks and what looked like one million schooling Tarwhine were just some of the highlights.
Conditions Report:
- Beautiful on top
- Temperature: 22°C
- Visbility: 5m
Dive Report by Lindsay
10TH MAY 2015 – GREY NURSE PATROL SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND
The visibility at South Solitary Island had improved today after a week of dirty water caused by the last east coast low pressure system which caused havoc on the Coffs Coast.
Grey Nurse Sharks were spotted at both Manta Arch and Cleaner Station dive sites. Again the Boulder Wall was alive with schooling Tarwhine, Goatfish and Sweep.
Congratulations to Ryan for completing his Open Water Course and Maddy for completing her Shark Awareness specialty course today.
Conditions Report:
- A little lumpy on top today
- Temperature: 22°C
- Visibility: 10m
Dive Report by Andy
12TH MAY 2015 – BARRACUDA, JEWFISH, SQUID AND SO MUCH MORE!
Sheltered by the southerly swell we dived the northern end of South Solitary Island today.
Plenty of Grey Nurse Sharks, five of which were spotted at Manta Arch plus another four around Shark Gutters. Apart from the Grey Nurse there was a real mixed bag of marine life spotted today, Jewfish, Barracuda, Squid and a giant Spanish Dancer to name a few.
Conditions Report:
- Not bad on top today
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 10m-12m
Dive Report by Andy
20TH MAY 2015 – DIVERS SWIM WITH MANTA RAY AT SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND!
Yep! You heard it right, our divers swam with a Manta Ray at South Solitary Island today. While enjoying a drift dive from Shark Gutters to the Gantry we stumbled across a Manta feeding in the shallows. Our divers spent more than 20 minutes checking out this gentle giant as he (or she) swam around us!
Today’s other highlights included six Grey Nurse Sharks, some giant Black Cod and a duo of Eagle Rays who were patrolling the Boulder Wall.
Congratulations to Elana & Chloe for completing their PADI Open Water Course today!
Conditions Report:
- A little choppy on top
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 12-15m
Dive Report by Andy
30TH MAY 2015 – GREAT DAY OF DIVING AT SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND!
With “Wild Fin” full of excited divers, we shot out to South Solitary Island for a day of diving. No wind and little swell made for ideal surface conditions.
Grey Nurse Sharks were spotted at both Manta Arch and Cleaner station dive sites along with some huge Black Cod, plenty of Lionfish, Mangrove Jack and schooling Jewies!
As per usual, the Boulder Wall was standing room only, schooling Tarwhine, Goatfish and Bullseyes were congregating together in their hundreds.
Conditions Report:
- Flat on top today
- Temperature: 21°C
- Visibility: 8m
Dive Report by Andy
31TH MAY 2015 FLAT SEAS FOR DIVING AT SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND!
Flat seas gave us a great trip out to South Solitary Island for today’s diving. No wind and little swell gave ideal surface conditions. Whilst everyone enjoyed the diving, we had the visibility down a bit more and reduced our field of view.
Grey Nurse Sharks were spotted at both Manta Arch and Cleaner Station again today along with Turtles on dive two at the Gap. The usual myriad of fish on Boulder Wall and even a small school of Squid. A Huge Black Cod at Manta hid in the Shadows until the last moment, until shooting away from the divers.
Conditions Report:
- Flat on top today
- Temperature: Down to 19°C
- Visibility: 8m in parts and mostly down to 6m
Dive Report by Mike
