Dive Reports – October 2016
Take a look at our dive reports from October 2016! We’ve detailed what we saw, the temperature and visibility, and surface conditions of the Solitary Islands in Coffs Harbour in October 2016.
Dive Reports October 2016 – Table of Contents:
1ST OCTOBER 2016 – SHARK SEASON!
First day of the month and we could not have asked for a better day. Despite the low visibility, our divers today were blessed with an array of marine life. The first dive started at Manta Arch and ended at Cleaner, where Grey Nurse Sharks were seen from all angles, also plenty of schooling fish, Wobbys, Nudis and a Hammerhead cruising by. While taking our morning tea we were also delighted with a breaching Humpback Whale only meters away from the boat. Then after some time spent watching the Whales, our divers jumped in at Shark Gutters for a swim to The Gantry. Again, plenty of Nurse Sharks were seen around Boulder Wall and also Turtles, Black Cods, Lionfish, and a Crayfish.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 10m
Dive Report by Andy
2ND OCTOBER 2016 – HAMMERHEAD SHARKS & COWNOSE RAYS!
Today was another great day of diving at South Solitary Island. The clam sea made for a smooth trip out, also spotting a couple of Humpback Whales splashing about on the surface. Our first dive of choice was at Manta Arch where Hammerheads and a fever of Cownose Rays were seen. Also loads of Grey Nurse Sharks, Batfish, Nudis, Schooling fish, Gropers, Black Cods, Wobbys and Turtles. The second dive was a slight drift from Cleaner Station to The Gantry, again, seeing masses of marine life including Crayfish, Moray Eels, and many more sharks.
Congratulations Lillian and Michael for completing their Open Water Diver Course.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 8m
Dive Report by Andy
3RD OCTOBER 2016 – GREY NURSE SHARKS KEEPING IN THE SHALLOWS
We bounced our way out to South Solitary Island this morning for 2 brilliant dives.
Dive one was a live drop from the southern end of the island around to Buchanan’s Wall, there was a few big Wobbygongs and a large Green Sea Turtle near the line.
Dive 2 was an amazing drift dive from Shark Gutters around to The Gantry, our divers seen around 12 Grey Nurse Sharks, Octopus, Tiger Cowrie, Golden Cowrie, Kingfish, Bluetangs, Numbrays and lots more.
We also had some very active Humpback Whales on our trip back to Coffs Harbour.
Dive Report by Lindsay
5TH OCTOBER 2016 – SO MANY GREY NURSE SHARKS!
Despite the slight chop on the surface, our divers had two amazing dives at South Solitary Island. To hide from the wind, both dives were at Shark Gutter, where we were surrounded with Grey Nurse Sharks, ‘Barnie’ the Loggerhead Turtle, Schooling fish, Blue Groper, Black Cods, Nudis, Wobbys, Moray Eels and the list goes on.
Conditions look amazing for Thursday and Friday so book on while we still have spots!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 10m
Dive Report by Lindsay
7TH OCTOBER 2016 – HAMMERHEADS, COW NOSE RAYS & SO MUCH MORE!
South Solitary Island put it on again today with more unusual sightings. First Dive was at Manta Arch and Cleaner Station, with a few Grey Nurse sharks at both. The first unusual sight was very close encounter with the large Fever (school) of Cow-nose rays at Manta Arch!
Another unusual sight was a lone Hammerhead Shark mid-water at Cleaner Station. Then we had all the regular schools of Tarwhine, Trevally and Mado’s especially in the gutters of the Island. On dive two, whilst the open areas were quiet, the rocky Boulder Wall was hiding all the schools and schools of fish. All of the dive, you could hear the sounds of Whales singing.
An odd site was captured it this picture, with a friendly Blue Grouper giving a Lionfish a hard time.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Lindsay
8TH OCTOBER 2016 – SUNNY SATURDAY DIVING SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND!
Under a blue, sunny sky, we shot out to South Solitary Island this morning for two very amazing dives.
Lots of Grey Nurse Sharks, schooling Tarwhine and Goatfish, Black Cod, Lionfish, Turtles and the list goes on!
Still plenty of spots left available on tomorrow’s dive. Give us a call to book on.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Andy
12TH OCTOBER 2016 – WHALE SWIMS WITHIN METERS OF DIVERS!
After some windy conditions, the sea was calm enough for a sneaky mid week trip out to South Solitary Island. Shark Gutters was our first choice, where our divers had a Humpback Whale swim only meters away from them on the surface. We also saw Slipper Crays, Grey Nurse Sharks, Blue Gropers, Black Cods, Lionfish, Wobbys, Turtles and many more. The second dive was a swim from Shark to South Boulder, Again, seeing Sharks, Schooling Fish, Nudis, and the majestic song of the Humpback Whale.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 15m
Dive Report by Andy
15TH OCTOBER 2016 – SOUTH SOLITARY LIGHTS UP!
It was a stunning day out at South Solitary Island. Before even arriving we were delighted with a Humpback whale breaching right at the front of the Lighthouse. All groups jumped in at Manta Arch where we were surrounded by a dozen Grey Nurse Sharks, also catching a glimpse of Cownose Rays circling the Arch. The second was a swim from Cleaner to The Gantry, seeing more Sharks, Slipper Crays, Schooling Fish, Nudis, Wobbys, Gropers, Black Cods and the list goes on.
Congratulations Ryan and Brian for completing their PADI Deep Diver Speciality Course.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 15m
Dive Report by Andy
18TH OCTOBER 2016 – HAMMERHEAD SHARK ON THE SURFACE!
It was smooth sailing out to South Solitary Island, almost running over a Hammerhead Shark basking on the surface. All groups started their first dive at Cleaner Station where we were surrounded by schooling Fish, Grey Nurse Sharks, Black Cods, Gropers, Wobbys, Moray Eels and Nudis. The second dive was a swim from Cleaner to South Boulder Wall, again, running into Grey Nurse Sharks, Bull Rays, Turtles, Crayfish, Mantis Shrimp and loads more.
Congratulations to Brad, Harry and Brodie for completing their PADI Open Water Dive Course.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 8m
Dive Report by Andy
19TH OCTOBER 2016 – 2 WILD’S MAIDEN VOYAGE!
With the arrival of our second boat, 2 Wild, we set out on its Maiden Voyage to South Solitary Island. Our first dive was at Cleaner Station, where we were surrounded by Grey Nurse Sharks, Schooling Fish, Gropers, Black Cods and Turtles. For the second dive we used the slight current to drift from Shark Gutters to The Gantry. Again, loads of Grey Nurses, Wobbys, Turtles, Octopus, Crayfish, Nudis, and a Mantis Shrimp.
Congratulations Wayde for completing his PADI Open Water Diver Course.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 8m
Dive Report by Andy
28TH OCTOBER 2016 – SUMMER IS ON ITS WAY!
After a week on land, our sea legs were aching to jump back into the water for some awesome dives at South Solitary Island. first dive was at Manta, seeing Grey Nurse Sharks, Wobbys, a Crested Horn Shark, Nudis, Moray Eels, Black Cods, and a Spanish Dancer. Second dive was around Cleaner and Shark where we spotted a rare Orangutan Shrimp in a anemone, also more Sharks, Schooling fish, Lionfish, Groper and many more.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 12m
Dive Report by Andy
29TH OCTOBER 2016 – GREY NURSE SHARKS UP CLOSE!
It was another great day out at the Lighthouse. Again, Manta Arch was our first dive site, seeing Grey Nurse Sharks, Wobbys, Slipper Lobsters, a Leafy Scorpion Fish, Gropers and a massive school of Kingfish. The second dive was around Shark Gutters and Cleaner Station where we all got up and person with some curious Grey Nurse Sharks, Octopus, Crayfish, Spanish Dancer, Nudis, Black Cods and Turtles.
Congrats Greg for completing his Deep Diver Speciality Course.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 8m
Dive Report by Andy
