Dive Reports – October 2023
Take a look at our dive reports from October 2023! We’ve detailed what we saw, the temperature and visibility, and surface conditions of the Solitary Islands in Coffs Harbour in October 2023.
Dive Reports – Table of Contents:
10th October 2023- Start to a great week!
Finally after some big winds and swell, 2wild was able to make its way out to South Solitary Island for some diving.
Divers got in at Buchanan’s Wall for the first dive and explored the area. We saw heaps of Nudibranchs up and down the wall, a Cuttlefish, a Skunk Anenome Fish, and a Black Lionfish.
The current allowed us to drift from Shark Gutters down to the Gantry for the second dive. The visbility was much better and the current made this dive very pleasurable. On this dive, we saw both large adult and small juvenile Grey Nurse Sharks around the gutters. A majestic Spotted Eagle Ray was spotted cruising along the Boulder Wall, saying hello to its Bull Ray cousin. Loads of Green Sea turtles were also seen on this dive, one even coming close to say g’day!!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 8m-15m
Dive Report by Teagan
11th October 2023
Unfortunately the visibility had dropped a little today from yesterday but we still had lots to see on both dives.
The dives today were up the northern end due to the swell from the south. These dives had Grey Nurse Sharks, Nudibranchs, Black Cod and Blue Groupers, Schools of Fusiliers, Wobbegongs swiming everywhere, Bullrays and plenty of turtles.
Congratulations to Andrew, Tom and Matt who finished their PADI RTO Scientific Diver course today.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 5m-8m
Dive Report by Lindsay
14th October 2023- Whales are singing!
Divers dropped in at Buchanans Wall for the first dive due to the direction of the wind and swell. Unfortunately the visbility wasn’t great but divers still had lots to enjoy. Two slipper cray’s were seen, as well as Black Cod, and a playful Octopus.
We slipped in at Shark Gutters for our second dive and drifted down to the Gantry. Two male Grey Nurse Sharks were seen at the bottom of the mooring, surrounded by a school of Bullseyes. Two yellow boxfish were seen around 5 metre rock as well as loads of massive Green Sea Turtles!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 5m-10m
Dive Report by Teagan
15th October 2023 – Sunny Sunday at South Solitary Island
Megawild loaded up with a big group of divers and finished the weekend off with two divees at South Solitary Island.
A couple groups descended at Manta Arch whilst the others descended at Cleaner Station. These divers encountered around a dozen or so Grey Nurse Sharks in the back gutter. We also saw a Numb Ray, some Lion Fish, and a massive Black Cod,
After a warm surface interval, we all rolled in at Cleaner Station and explored the ins and outs of the gutters. On this dive, some beautiful Nudibranchs were seen, a Spanish Dancer, Banded Coral Shrimp, Mosaic Moray Eel, and more active Grey Nurse Sharks!
On our way back in, a couple Humpback’s were spy hopping and gave our happy divers a good show!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 5m-10m
Dive Report by Teagan
16th October 2023- More bubbles at South Sol!
Divers started their week off with a bang and headed out to South Solitary this morning for a couple of dives. Surface conditions werent the kindest to us but we managed to drop in at the top end of the island for our first dive. We were delighted to see so many Grey Nurse Sharks still out and about, approximately a dozen. A Semicirculatus showed also showed its beautiful colours as it swam by! On our second dive, we dropped in at the Gantry and made our way into the Gap. Six Green Sea Turtles greeted us as they cruised through the current. Heading back down 5 metre rock, we saw a mega big Bull Ray and a Yellow Boxfish!
Congratulations Courtney for completing your PADI Advanced Open water Diver course!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 5m-10m
Dive Report by Teagan
20th October 2023- 25M Visibility
The recent southerly winds brought in some awesome visbility!!! Everything was out and about today, giving our divers a nice time in the water at South Solitary Island!
Our first dive was on the top end of the island, exploring the ins and outs of all gutters. Noteworthy marine life on this diver were the 6 massive Black Cod swimming around the back of Cleaner Station Mooring. We also saw a Peacock Mantis Shrimp, Octopus, and various Nudribanchs.
Our second dive was a drift from Shark gutters down to the Gantry. Grey Nurse Sharks were seen all throughout this dive, some massive Loggerhead Turtles and Green Sea turtles, Cuttlefish, Slipper and Painted Crays, Bull Rays, and Eagle Rays!
A big congratulations to Ethan for completing your PADI Open Water Diver Course!!!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 25m
Dive Report by Teagan
21st october 2023- amazing visbility again
Divers had a fantastic double dive at the Island, making the most of the sunny Saturday today.
The wind permitted us to descend at Buchanan’s Wall for our first dive. Notable marine life on this dive was the massive Loggerhead turtle that came in for a close to hello to our Open Water students. Divers also saw multiple different species of Nudibranch’s, making the wall full of colour!
For our second dive, most of our divers drifted from the top end of the Island down to the Gantry, while others expored only the Gantry. On this dive, 9 or 10 Green Sea Turtles were seen cruising around the shallow waters of the Gap. A spotted Eagle Ray, Grey Nurse Sharks, loads of schooling fish, and a some cute little Yellow Box Fish were also seen!
A big congratulations to Darren and Lisa for completing your PADI Open Water Diver Course!!! Woohoo!!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 21°C-22°C
- Visibility: 30m
Dive Report by Teagan
23rd October 2023- Good Viz and Warm Water!!!
2Wild loaded up with a group of divers and headed out for a double dive at South Solitary Island before the winds pick up this week.
Buchanons Wall looked like the best visbility so we descended there for the first dive. Divers saw a Loggerhead Turtle, Lionfish, Nudibranchs, and massive Wobbegongs. For our second dive, the top end’s wind and swell dropped down so we descended at Shark Gutters. On this dive, Grey Nurse Sharks were seen at the bottom of the Boulder Wall. Along with Green Sea Turtles, Octopus, massive QLD Grouper and Black Cod, and a whaler swimming in the shallows!!
Congratulations Jordan on completing your PADI Open Water Diver Course!!!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 21°C
- Visibility: 15m-25m
Dive Report by Teagan
30th October- LOADS OF TURTLES AT SOUTH SOL
Before the wind takes off over the next couple of days, 2Wild loaded up with some divers and headed out to South Solitary for a double dive to start the week off with a bang!
First up, everyone descended at Buchanans Wall. On this dive, we saw Pipefish, Octopus, a Slipper Cray, and loads of Blue Tangs. After our surface interval, divers descended at The Gantry for a drift down to Buchanan’s Wall. Highlight of the dive were the 15 Green Sea Turtle we saw in and around 5 metre rock!! We also saw cute little Yellow Box fish around the wreckage. There was a male Grey Nurse Shark that unfortunately had a fishing line tightly wrapped around its tail due to fishing.
Congratulations Col on completing your PADI Open Water Diver course!!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 21°C
- Visibility: 15m-20m
Dive Report by Teagan
