Dive Reports – November 2021
Take a look at our dive reports from November 2021! We’ve detailed what we saw, the temperature and visibility, and surface conditions of the Solitary Islands in Coffs Harbour in November 2021.
Dive Reports November 2021 – Table of Contents:
2ND NOVEMBER 2021 – HAMMERHEADS AND SEMICIRCLE ANGELFISH ON THE FIRST DIVE OF NOVEMBER
We headed out to South Solitary for a double dive today on Mega Wild.
For the first dive we dived from Manta Arch to Cleaner Station. On this dive we saw some interesting species of Nudibranch, along with some Lionfish blocking the view of them! There was a QLD Groper cruising around some Bream and getting a clean. There were plenty of schooling fish, and one of our divers even saw two hammerheads after seeing the surrounding fish scatter.
On the second dive our divers headed from Cleaner Station through Shark Gutters and to South Boulder. Here there was more QLD Gropers, and a Bullray made it’s way out of Cleaner Cave and swum around in circles above our divers. There were two turtles, and we even saw 2 Semicircle Angelfish on today’s dive, which feature in today’s dive report picture on instagram and facebook along with the bullray, taken by S’Kate. We also saw some batfish on this dive.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: A cold 21°C
- Visibility: 20m
Dive Report by Tara
4th November 2021- South Solitary Island
With only a small group of divers and snorkelers ” Mega Wild” steamed out to South Solitary this morning making a quick trip of the calm conditions.
Dive one had the divers do a live drop in the Back Gutter, making there way through the gap to the Gantry. At least ten Grey Nurse Sharks were spotted in the back gutter, along with Green turtles, Wobbegong Sharks, Lionfish, and a couple more Grey Nurse Sharks cruising through the Gap.
The snorkelers swam from South Boulder to the Gantry sighting Turtles, Blue Grouper, and lots of schooling fish.
After morning tea, the divers dropped in at Shark Gutters drifting round to the Gantry. Highlights on this dive were Black Cod, Bull-rays, Moray Eels, schools of Bullseyes, and Pomfreds, along with a couple of Hawksbill Turtles in the Gap.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 10m-12m
Dive Report by Lindsay
5th November 2021 – Turtle City at South Solitary Island, Coffs Harbour
In the comfort of our new boat “Megawild” we made our way to South Solitary Island for two great dives. Protected from the easterly swell, our divers jumped in at Buchanan’s Wall for today’s first dive. Black Cod, Turtles, Blue Groper, Wobbegong Sharks and loads of Nudi’s were spotted on this dive.
Dive two was spent enjoying the aquarium like conditions of the Gantry. The turtles stole the show on this dive as they were more than happy to mingle with our divers throughout the dive!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 8m-15m
Dive Report by Lindsay
6th November 2021 – Rays and Sharks swim with Divers
We had much better conditions this morning as we steamed out to South Solitary Island.
Dive one we descended down Buchanan’s Wall to be welcomed by a large Wobbegong next to the mooring. There were a few turtles in the shallows and a very camouflaged Octopus on the top of the Wall.
Dive two we planned to do the drift from Sharks Gutters around to The Gantry, the current down boulder wall was perfect to explore all the good spots. We had a single Batfish on the line which gives us a hint warm water could be on the way. There was 5-10 Grey Nurse Sharks as everyone got down the line, lots of Black Cod today along with turtles, Kingfish and some beautiful Bullrays/Blotched Fantail Rays swimming with divers along boulder wall.
Congratulations to Chance who finished her PADI Open Water Course today.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C-21°C
- Visibility: 8m-15m
Dive Report by Lindsay
7th November 2021 – Clean water on the way
When we arrived to South Solitary Island we were welcomed to improved visibility.
The certified divers got in around the back gutter while the students stuck to the shallows of The Gantry. There was a few Grey Nurse Sharks in the Back Gutter but none at Manta Arch. Turtles, Snapper and Sweep were spotted through the gap and around the Gantry.
Dive Two was a drift from the top end for the certified divers while the Advanced Open Water students done their Navigation at The Gantry. It was like fish soup on boulder wall today with Black Cod, Kingfish, Butterfly Fish, Bullrays, Slipper Lobsters and numerous Turtles near the gap.
Congratulations to the following new certifications!!
- PADI Open Water Diver – Steven Kay and Dylan Currie
- PADI Advanced Open Water Diver – Ben Williamson
- PADI Enriched Air Diver – Ben Williamson, James Hunt and Euan Belson
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C-21°C
- Visibility: 10m-20m
Dive Report by Lindsay
10th November 2021 – Divers Delight at South Solitary Island!
Protected from the northerly breeze today’s first dive was spent enjoying the marine life on Buchanan’s Wall. Wobbegong sharks, black cod, octopus, moray eels and lots of colourful nudibranches made up just some of the highlights. Ready for some big fish action our divers slipped in at Shark Gutters for a drift to the Gantry for dive two. Eight or more grey nurse, turtles, rays and masses of schooling tarwhine were spotted on this dive!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 8m-10m
Dive Report by Andy
12th November 2021 – Fun Friday at South Solitary!
Although the visibility was a little basic, the diving at South Solitary Island was fantastic today! Buchanan’s Wall was a hit with our divers as it was covered with macro life including lots of colourful nudi’s and a pair of banded coral shrimp.
Dive two was spent enjoying the shallows of the Gantry. Plenty to see on this dive including black cod, wobbegong sharks, moray eels and our favourite loggerhead turtle “Barney”!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 5m-8m
Dive Report by
13th November 2021 – Two Island Duo
Protected by the strong westerly breeze we jumped in at Manta Arch for our first dive of the day. Our divers were able to get up close and personal with plenty of friendly grey nurse sharks as both the arch and back gutter were full of sharks!
Round two saw us make our way to Split Solitary Island. Black cod, moray eels, loads of nudi’s plus schooling sweep, pomfrets and mado were just some of the highlights on this dive.
Vis ranged from 8-15m, temp 19c.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature:
- Visibility:
Dive Report by Andy
14th November 2021 – Scuba and Freedivers explore the Solitaries!
With Mega Wild loaded with excited divers we shot out to South Solitary Island for today’s first dive. Although the visibility was basic on dive one, our divers still enjoyed themselves, spotting grey nurse sharks, black cod, schooling tarwhine and mado.
In search of clearer water we ventured to Split Solitary Island for dive two. Turtle Cove was buzzing with life. More grey nurse, lionfish, schooling sweep and a friendly emperor angelfish were just some of the highlights.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 3m-12m
- Visibility: 19°C
Dive Report by Andrew
15th November 2021 Double Dive At Split Solitary Island
With only a small group of divers and snorkelers “2Wild” made its way to Split Solitary Island this morning hiding from the north east wind which had been forecasted.
Turtle Cove was decided for dive one, marine life seen on this dive were wobbegong sharks, schools of tarwhine, Sweep, Pomfreds, and a cute little Banded Coral Shrimp.
After morning tea “2wild” moved to Mikes Mooring for dive two, all divers descended down the line making there way through the gutters. Divers sighted a lonely Grey Nurse Shark, Nudibranchs, schooling Kingfish, Bullrays, and a Blue Devil Fish.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 10m-12m
Dive Report by Andy
16th November 2021 – Visibility on the improve!
With only a small crew of divers we made our way to South Solitary Island for two great dives today. Plenty of action at Shark Gutters on dive one! Twenty plus grey nurse sharks were spotted along with some big black cod, lionfish, moray eels, schooling surgeon fish and tarwhine.
Dive two was spent enjoying the Boulder Wall. More sharks, schools of pomfrets and mado plus a very friendly green turtle who was having a great time cleaning his shell.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 8m-10m
Dive Report by Andy
17th November 2021 – Returning Blue Water
We had only a small boat load today so 2Wild was the choice of transport to South Solitary Island.
Dive one was at Manta Arch and we only saw a handful of Grey Nurse Sharks as the swell was quite big and we think they had ventured to deeper depths.
Dive two was a much better dive at Shark Gutters as the visibility had improved dramatically and water temp had gone up a few degrees!!
Some of the life spotted underwater today, Wobbegongs, Kingfish, huge schools of Fusiliers, Bullrays, Lionfish, Turtles and some huge Black Cod near North Boulder.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°c-21°C
- Visibility: 8m-10m first dive, 12m-18m second dive
Dive Report by Lindsay
18th November 2021 – Back Gutter Packed
The swell today had dropped off a lot which made it doable to do the back gutter and get amongst some Grey Nurse Sharks.
There was about 16 to 20 Grey Nurse shark’s in the back gutter with a few schools of Fusiliers and Trevalley around the mooring.
Dive two was a drift from cleaner station down to the Gantry we had some feeding turtles around the third gutter and some big Black Cod on Boulder Wall.
Finishing at the Gantry the visibility had also improved and some of the divers spotting some Moray eels and Spanish dancers on Five Metre Rock.
Photo taken today in the back gutter
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C-21°C
- Visibility: 10m-18m
Dive Report by Lindsay
20th November 2021 – Fish Soup at South Solitary!
Our divers were treated with some excellent diving at South Solitary Island today! Sheltered from the northerly wind and swell we jumped in at Buchanan’s Wall for dive one. Black cod, moray eels, lionfish, banded coral shrimp and lots of nudi’s were spotted on this dive. Taking advantage of the current we opted for a drift from Sharks Gutters to the Gantry for dive two. Soooo much to see on this dive including six or more grey nurse sharks, turtles, black cod and what felt like a trillion schooling fish!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C-20°C
- Visibility: 8m-12m
Dive Report by Andy
21st November 2021 – North and South Solitary today!
Today we took out both Megawild and 2 Wild to head to North and South Solitary Island.
2 Wild made it’s way all the way out to North Solitary, diving Anenome bay for the first dive, and fish soup on the second. Anenome bay is a site with and abundance of anenomes, and was a beautiful dive for today! There were also some Grey Nurses spotted on this dive, and Green Sea Turtles. Also spotted was lionfish, nudibranches, and more schooling fish!
For the second dive at North Solitary Island, we dropped into fish soup. This dive definitely lived up to the name, with large amounts of schooling fish all around. More Grey Nurses were spotted on this dive, and some more turtles.
Overall a relaxed and enjoyable experience for our divers! Did you know we are trying to get a trip to North Solitary out every sunday? You can book it here.
For our dives to South Solitary, we visited Buchanan’s Wall, Shark Gutters, and The Gantry.
On the First dive our divers dropped into Buchanan’s wall. Here there was schooling fish, some nudibranches, Green Sea Turtles, and a Pipefish down deep.
On the Second dive, some of our divers headed from Shark Gutters to the Gantry, whilst others dropped in at the Gantry.
Our regular, friendly blue groper was found hanging around his home at the gantry, also seen were more Green Sea Turtles, and some black cod.
For the group who dropped in at Shark Gutters, there were some Grey Nurse Sharks seen, along with some Bull Rays.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: South: 15-20m North 15m
Dive Report by Tara
22nd November 2021 – Queensland groper greets divers!
The diving at South Solitary Island was nothing short of amazing today! The northern end of the island was buzzing with big fish action! Grey nurse sharks, black cod, bull rays, turtles and one monster Queensland groper were spotted amongst the thousand of schooling fish.
Congratulations to Emily on completing your PADI Advanced Open Water course today!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C-20°C
- Visibility: 15m-20m
Dive Report by Andy
25th November 2021 – Divers love the Solitaries!
Loaded with excited divers, Mega Wild made our trip out to South Solitary Island a breeze! Sheltering from the freshening northery wind, Buchanan’s Wall made the perfect site for dive one. The Wall was busy with life, black cod, nudi’s, wobbegong sharks and a pair of banded coral shrimp made up just some of the highlights.
Taking advantage of the current, dive two was a drift from Shark Gutters to the Gantry. Grey nurse sharks, turtles, bullrays, more black cod and myriad of schooling fish!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 8m-12m
Dive Report by Andy
30th November 2021 – Blue water at the Solitaries!
Arriving at South Solitary Island this morning we were greeted with warm blue water! Dive one was spent enjoying the northern end of the island. Grey nurse sharks, black cod, huge schools of tarwhine and goatfish plus a pair of pineapple fish made up just some of the highlights.
Taking advantage of the slight current, our divers enjoyed a leisurely drift along the Boulder Wall. More grey nurse sharks, lots of turtles, bull rays, eagle rays and a friendly ribbon eel were all spotted on this dive!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 22°C
- Visibility: 20m-25m
Dive Report by Andy
