Dive Reports – May 2016
Take a look at our dive reports from May 2016! We’ve detailed what we saw, the temperature and visibility, and surface conditions of the Solitary Islands in Coffs Harbour in May 2016.
Dive Reports May 2016 – Table of Contents:
1ST MAY 2016 – FAREWELL SHARNEE! WE WILL MISS YOU!
With “Wild Fin” loaded with excited divers, we shot out to South Solitary for this mornings dives. Sheltered from the northerly, Buchanan’s Wall was our first port of call. While the wall was covered in Lionfish, Nudibranches and lazing Wobbegong Sharks, the islands Southern end was busy with plenty of fish, including a school of roaming Mackerel.
Making use of the current, dive two was a drift from Shark Gutters to the Gantry. Turtles, Black Cod, Cuttlefish and a Bullray were just some of the highlights. Unexpectedly, our divers even saw a Grey Nurse patrolling the shallows at the Gantry!
We must also say farewell to one of our Instructors Sharnee Hoe. Sharnee is off to work in the UK. We wish her all the best! You will be missed!
Vis 8-10m, temp 22/23c.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 22°c-23°C
- Visibility: 8m-10m
Dive Report by Andy
5TH MAY 2016 – CLEAR WATER RETURNS TO SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND
The clear water was back at South Solitary Island today with about 20-25m visibility, the day was made even better by the surface conditions!!
Dive one was at the Gantry where there was a slight surface current but the visibility was awesome. Lots of turtles roaming around, Anemone fish and one curious Octopus.
Dive two was a casual drift from South Boulder up to Shark Gutters, Bryce’s group seen a few Grey Nurse Sharks out in deeper water and a beautiful Juvenile Emperor Angle Fish with such a vibrant blue colour, also lot of Stripeys, Black Cod and Nudibranchs were seen near Cleaner Station.
Congratulations to Corey and Laura who completed their PADI Scuba Diver Course today and they loved it that much they have already booked their upgrade to the PADI Open Water Diver course in a few months!!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 20m-25m
Dive Report by Lindsay
7TH MAY 2016 – DIVING AT THE SOLITARIES DOESN’T GET MUCH BETTER!
South Solitary Island put on another great show for us today. Flat sea, sunny sky and clear blue water! What more could you ask for on a Saturday in Autumn! Whilst Manta Arch was inhabited by Grey Nurse Sharks, the Cleaner Station was buzzing with life. Black Cod, Turtles, Jewfish, Sweetlip and Bullrays amongst all of the usual macro life. Dive two took us on a swim down the Boulder Wall. More Giant Black Cod, Eagle Rays, schooling Tarwhine, Mado and Sweep were just some of the life spotted by our divers on this dive.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 20m
Dive Report by Lindsay
8TH MAY 2016 – 30 TO 35M VISIBILITY AT THE LIGHTHOUSE
Mid North Coast diving does not get any better than that!! Today at South Solitary Island we had an easy 30m visibility and water temp was around 23C, which is warm for this time of year. Surface conditions seemed like we were in Papua New Guinea with Mike and Deb.
Our divers saw just about everything today including Grey Nurse Sharks, Octopus, Mantis Shrimp, Eagle Rays, Black Cod, juvenile Emperor Angle Fish, and turtles everywhere. We also had a crew from Reef Life on the boat doing some research on the fish species we have at the Island.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 30m-35m
Dive Report by Lindsay
14TH MAY 2016 – ANOTHER GREAT DAY AT SOUTH SOLITARY
Beautiful diving conditions at South Solitary Island today. Grey Nurse Sharks, Black Cod, Lionfish and the rare sighting of a Giant Cuttlefish were just some of the highlights on dive one. Dive two was spent enjoying Shark Gutters and the Boulder Wall. Our divers spotted more Grey Nurse, a Giant Eagle Ray, Green Turtles and so much more!
Vis 10-15m, temp 22c
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 22°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Andy
15TH MAY 2016 – GREY NURSE, EAGLE RAYS, TURTLES AND MORE!
With Wildfin full of excited divers, we shot out to South Solitary Island for today’s dives. First up was Manta Arch. Grey Nurse Sharks, Black Cod, schooling Trevally and lots of cool Nudibranches were spotted on this dive.
Round two had us start at Buchanan s Wall, making a leisurely swim to the Gantry. Large schools of Kingfish, turtles and Eagle Rays were seen while diving.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 22°C
- Visibilty: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Andy
20TH MAY 2016 – GREAT DIVING AT SOUTH SOLITARY!
No better way to end the working week than with a dive at South Solitary. With amazing surface conditions, our divers slipped in at the Cleaner Station for the first dive of the day. Plenty of Grey Nurse, Black Cod, Turtles and Lionfish were just some of the highlights. Taking advantage of the slight current, dive two was spent drifting down the Boulder Wall. More Grey Nurse, Painted Crays, schools of Tarwhine and Goatfish, and a few lazy Wobbegongs were all spotted by our divers.
Congratulations to Lisa Butcher for completing your PADI Advanced Open Water Course today!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 22°C
- Visibility: 15m
Dive Report by Andy
21ST MAY 2016 – RARE TROPICAL SPECIES SPOTTED AT SOUTH SOLITARY
Today’s diving at South Solitary Island was like diving in the tropics! Our divers were lucky enough to see two Leaf Scorpion Fish and a pair of Porcelain Crabs, both of which are uncommonly seen in waters this far south.
Today’s other highlights included half a dozen Grey Nurse, some big Black Cod, Blue Angelfish, Spanish Dancers, Wobbegong Sharks and so much more. Today’s southerly breeze is helping improve visibility. Tomorrows conditions should be great.
Congratulations to Brian and Bryce for completing their PADI Sidemount Diver Specialty Course today.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 22°C
- Visibility: 15m-20m
Dive Report by Andy
22ND MAY 2016 – SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND HAS IT ALL
Yet another brilliant Sunday morning diving at South Solitary Island!!
Today our divers seen just about everything at the two dive sites which where Manta Arch and along Boulder Wall.
Turtles, Rays, Grey Nurse Sharks, Scorpion Leaf fish, Flutemouth Fish, Nudibranchs, Lionfish and Black Cod were just some of the life spotted underwater.
The weather looks a little nasty for the next few days so save your pennys to dive when the weather clears 🙂
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 22°C
- Visibility: 12m-15m
Dive Report by Lindsay
