Dive Reports – May 2021
Take a look at our dive reports from May 2021! We’ve detailed what we saw, the temperature and visibility, and surface conditions of the Solitary Islands in Coffs Harbour in May 2021.
Dive Reports May 2021 – Table of Contents:
1ST MAY 2021 – GREEN SEA TURTLES AT SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND
It was a slow trip out to South Solitaty Island due to the Easterly swell this morning but underwater was place to be.
Dive one was at Buchanan’s Wall we had schools of Bulleyes, Yellowback Fusiliers and Black Cod. Once morning tea was dished out we decided to do dive two at South Boulder as this was the calmest spot.
Boulder wall had lots to see including Flutemouth Fish, a Leopard Blenny, Blue Groupers, Painted Crayfish, Lionfish and some huge Green Sea Turtles near the gap and around Five metre rock.
Congratulations to Steven, Celia and Laura who all finished the PADI Open Water Course today.
Visibility 12-18m
Temp 23C
Conditions Report:
- Temperature:
- Visibility:
Dive Report by Lindsay
2nd May 2021 – Clear Water At South Solitary Island.
2Wild had another slow trip out to South Solitary Island this morning due to the easterly swell still pumping. Buchanans wall was decided for dive one, visibility had improved overnight, lots of marine life was seen down the wall and around Cable Trail. Green Turtles, Black Cod, schooling Blue Fusiliers, pomfreds, Nudibrancs, and some huge Wobbegong Sharks were sighted.
After morning tea “2Wild” ventured up to the northern end of the Island, all divers dropped in on Cleaner Station making the way to South Boulder. There was a little surge underwater but all divers had a great dive, Eagle rays were seen, Slipper lobsters, Lionfish, schools of Tarwhine, Goatfish, Bullseyes, and at least half a dozen Black Cod spotted down the Wall.
Congratulations to Keira and Jack on Completeing their PADI Open Water Diver Course.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Visibility: 15m-20m
Dive Report by Lindsay
3rd May 2021 – 20m+ Vis at South Solitary
With the swell and wind dropping from previous days, Wildfin travelled out to South Solitary with student and certified divers to be greeted by clear blue waters.
First up we checked out Buchanans Wall, where we saw large Green Sea Turtles, Wobbegong Sharks, Blue Groupers, Lionfish, Moray Eels, plus tonnes of great fish life including, Anenome Fish, and Blue Tangs.
For the second dive we did a drift dive from Cleaner Station to South Boulder. Highlights from this dive include great fish life along the boulder, great visibility, along with a lone Grey Nurse Shark around Cleaner Station, an Eagle Ray, massive Black Cod, Yellow Boxfish, and a massive Green Sea Turtle.
Alsoa big congratulations to Sharon who finished her PADI Open Water Course!!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 22°C-23°C
- Visibility: 15m-20m
Dive Report by Tara
8th May 2021 – Fish Frenzy
Today, on the 8th of May 2021, we took out Wild Fin to South Solitary Island for a double dive trip.
On the first dive, we dropped our divers down on Buchannan’s Wall. Here we spotted Cleaner Shrimp, some Wobbegongs and Lionfish, and both a Green Sea Turtle and a Hawksbill. There was heaps of schooling fish along with plenty of Anenome fish, and a really friendly Blue Grouper.
For the second dive we headed from Cleaner Station to South Boulder. Here there were more Green Sea Turtles and Wobbegongs, along with Blotched Fantail Rays, a huge amount of fish, some Nudibranches and some Black Cod.
Today’s image is a still from Heidi’s video of a Blotched Fantail Ray. Check out our instagram or facebook to see the video!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 22°c
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Tara
9th May 2021 – Mother’s Day Diving
Today on Sunday 9th of May we took both Wildfin and 2Wild out to South Solitary Island and was greeted by beautiful blue water.
On the first dive, Wild Fin dropped into Manta Arch. Here they spotted a really large Green Turtle when dropping down at the mooring. There were about a dozen Grey Nurse Sharks in the Arch, with about 20 in total on the whole dive. We spotted 2 large Blotched Fantail Rays, plenty of Anenome Fish, Pomfred, and schools of trevally and moon wrasse. Divers on 2 Wild rolled in at Cleaner Station for their first dive, where they saw tonnes of fish life also, Black Cod, Green Turtles, Moray Eels, and some enquisite Batfish hanging around the mooring line.
For Dive two Wild Fin drifted from Cleaner Station to the Gantry. There were at least a dozen black cod here, more Blotched Fantail Rays, some Eagle Rays, Blue Spotted Rays, and Sand Rays. It was Ray Day today! We saw a hawksbill trutle, 2 large green turtles playing/fighting (which is our featured image today taken by our Divemaster Cassie), half a dozen other green turtles and heaps of schooling fish. We spotted a school of blue tangs, black lionfish, and a spanish dancer. 2 Wild checked out the back gutter for their 2nd dive, where they encountered 10 Grey Nurse Sharks, Moray Eels, and schooling Fusiliers throughout the dive.
Congrats to Sam, Em, and Danae who completed their PADI Advanced Open Water Course today, along with Steve and Jasper who finished off their PADI Open Water Course today also. Well done to all of you!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 22°C
- Visibility: 20m+
Dive Report by Tara
14th May 2021 – “South Solitary Buzzing with Marine Life!!!”
Today we took 2 Wild out with CHEC students to South Solitary Island, some starting their PADI Open Water Course, and some just going for a certified dive. First dive we explored Shark Gutters, with Eagle Rays, Bull Rays, Grey Nurse Sharks, Wobbegong Sharks, schooling Travelly, and tonnes of fish life being the highlights.The second dive we did a wonderful drift dive from Shark Gutters to South Boulder. During this dive we saw more Grey Nurse Sharks, Black Cod, an Octopus, a huge Green Sea Turtle, Lionfish, Wobbegong Sharks, Blue Grouper’s, and once again great fish life including Fusilers, Anenome Fish, Pomfreds, and Tarwhine everywhere.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 22°C
- Visibility: 12m-15m
Dive Report by Tara
15th May 2021 – Blue Water At South Solitary Island
Calm conditions made it a quick trip out for “2Wild” this morning to South Solitary Island. Visibility had improved overnight, you could see the top of Manta Arch from the boat. Four Grey Nurse Sharks were in the Arch and a couple were seen in the Gutters, also seen on dive one were Nudibranchs, Wobbegong Sharks, schooling Silver Trevally and a large Spanish Dancer. After morning tea, the divers descended down Shark Gutters mooring and finished the dive at South Boulder. The dive was buzzing with marine life, Black Cod, Bull rays, schooling fish down Boulder Wall, more Wobbegong Sharks, and a couple of big Hermit Crabs at the bottom of the mooring line.
Picture is from Josh showing a Cuttlefish eating a fish on Boulder Wall.
Vis 20 Metres.
Water Temp 22 Degrees.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 22°C
- Visibility: 20m
Dive Report by Tara
17th May 2021 – Manta Arch Monday
With a full boat of certified divers and students, “Wildfin” made its way out to South Solitary island this morning. Manta Arch was decided for the certified divers finishing at Cleaner Station, whilst the student divers entered at Cleaner Station for their first ocean dive. Certified Divers were greeted at the entrance to the Arch by six Grey Nurse Sharks, also seen on dive one by all were Wobbegong Sharks, Nudibranchs, Moray Eels, Black Cod, and schools of Bulls-eyes and Pomfreds everywhere. After morning tea the southerly wind had picked up so it was decided all divers would explore the Northern end of the island. Diving from Shark Mooring checking out the Cave, Shark Gutters, and north Boulder Wall, they found plenty of marine life, including Lionfish, Octopus, Anemone Fish, and a small Hawksbill Turtle.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 22°C
- Visibility: 15m-20m
Dive Report by Lindsay
19th May 2021- Hump Day At South Solitary Island
Calm conditions made for a quick trip out to South Solitary Island this morning aboard “2Wild”. With the small group of divers on board, Shark Gutters was decided for dive one.
Cruising the cave of Cleaner Station, the swim-thru at Shark Gutters, and around the Third Gutter, we saw plenty of marine life including, Black Cod, Green Turtles, Lionfish, a few Nudibranchs, and a Blotched Fantail Ray. The Sci Diver students saw a Spotted Eagle Ray too.
After morning tea, “2Wild” made its way round to Manta Arch for Dive Two. The Sci Divers counted 7 Grey Nurse Sharks there, but all the action was round the Back Gutter where we counted another 12 Grey Nurse Sharks. Along the way we also had a few Wobbegong Sharks moving around and Huge schools of Silver Trevally and Tarwhine.
Congratulations to Bonnie and Zoe on Completing there PADI Open Water Course. 🙂
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 22°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Lindsay
20th May 2021 – Thursday fun at South
Today we headed out to South Solitary Island for a double dive.
On our first dive our group of certified divers headed down to Manta Arch, while student divers went to Cleaner Station. first thing greeting a swimming wobbeygong and some Grey Nurse Sharks. There were around a dozen Grey Nurses in and around the back gutter, along with lots of schooling fish. We spotted 2 octopus, some eels, and lionfish.
For the second dive our certified group and students headed from Cleaner Station to South Boulder. There were more moray eels here, some nudibranches, along with more Grey Nurse Sharks. There were lobster, eagle rays, bull rays, a hawksbill turtle, and heaps of black cod. There were also blue groupers, and a chill little green turtle just hanging out (picture taken by Cassie today!)
We also spotted the first whales of the season on our Surface interval!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 21°C
- Visibility: 10m-12m
Dive Report by Tara
