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:


Wobbygong shark at South Solitary Island
Wobbygong shark at South Solitary Island

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

Grey Nurse Shark below Wild Fin
Grey Nurse Shark below Wild Fin Dive Boat by Jetty Dive

School of Barracuda in clear blue water
School of Barracuda, South Solitary Island by Jetty Dive

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

Manta Ray in blue water at South Solitary Island
Manta Ray at South Solitary Island by Jetty Dive

Grey Nurse Shark at South Solitary Island 31 December 2014 by Jetty Dive
Grey Nurse Shark (M Davey 2014)

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

Green Sea Turtle with diver in the background at South Solitary Island
Green Sea Turtle with diver at South Solitary Island

Where to find us.

OFFICE LOCATION

Jetty Dive Centre Dive Shop is at 398 Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450. This is where you begin your experiences with us! All Scuba Dives and Snorkelling must check-in before moving to departure point.

BOATS DEPARTURE POINT

All our boats leave from the Public floating pontoon wharf opposite the “Attitude Burgers “ building.

Jetty dive google maps with markers for priority locations