Dive Reports – September 2015

• 6th September 2015
• 8th September 2015
• 12th September 2015
• 13th September 2015

• 21st September 2015
• 22nd September 2015
• 30th September 2015

6TH SEPTEMBER 2015 – AMAZING DIVING AT SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND!

There was not a lot we didn’t see on our dives at South Solitary Island today! Grey Nurse Sharks, Black Cod, Lionfish, schools of Tarwhine and Mangrove Jack were all spotted by our divers on today’s first dive at the Cleaner Station.
Dive two was a leisurely one way swim from the Cleaner Station to South Boulder Wall. More Grey Nurse, a flock of Cow Nose Rays, Hawkesbill Turtles, schooling Goatfish and a wide variety of Nudibranches were just some of the highlights on this dive.

Conditions Report:

• Temperature: 19°C
• Visibility: 15m

Dive Report by Andy

8TH SEPTEMBER 2015 – 40 PLUS GREY NURSE SHARKS CRUISE SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND!

After a quick ride to South Solitary Island aboard “Wild Fin”, we hopped in at Manta Arch for our first dive of the day. Descending down the mooring line, we could already see half a dozen Grey Nurse Sharks happily cruising across the bottom. Everywhere we looked there was more Grey Nurse, approximately 40 or more throughout the Manta arch area!
Dive two was a leisurely swim from Shark Gutters to South Boulder Wall. More Grey Nurse, Black Cod, schooling Tarwhine, Moray Eels and a mantis Shrimp who has taken up residence in the Cleaner Station gutter.
The recent hype from the media regarding Sharks has created some unnecessary fear among the public. Grey Nurse Sharks can be prayed upon by other sharks such as Great White’s and Tigers. With so many Grey Nurse Sharks around it is pretty clear that there is none at South Solitary!

Conditions Report:

• Temperature: 19°C
• Visibility: 20m

Dive Report by Andy

12TH SEPTEMBER 2015 – GREAT DIVING CONDITIONS AT SOUTH SOLITARY

A Great day at South Solitary Island today. Visibility was up between 20 and 25 mtrs today and had a bit of a warm water thermocline in places. Grey Nurse Sharks were all around at Manta Arch and a few on the northern side. Large Kingfish were cruising through from time to time, along with Turtles enjoying the clean water.
No-one could avoid hearing the loud call of the Humpback whales today. On our drift dive to the Gantry they were very vocal

Conditions Report:

• Temperature: 19°C
• Visibility: 25m

Dive Report by Mike

13TH SEPTEMBER 2015 – BARNEY THE TURTLE HAVING A NAP AT MANTA ARCH

Yet another wonderful day out at South Solitary Island!!
Dive one today was at Manta Arch. Our divers were treated with a visit from Barney the beautiful Logger Head Turtle who is a resident to the island. She was having a nap near the Arch until the sound of divers woke her up!! Plenty of Grey Nurse Sharks in and around the Arch.
The hour surface interval was very relaxing with the sun beaming in and even the rare sighting of a SEAL on the surface!!
Dive two was a drift from Cleaner Station down to The Gantry, our divers spotted more Grey Nurse Sharks, Big Black Cod, Nudibranchs, Lionfish Octopus and lots of Green Sea Turtles at The Gantry.
Congratulations to David, Maddison and Liam for becoming PADI Open Water Divers today!!!!

Conditions Report:

• Temperature: 19°C
• Visibility: 12m-15m

Dive Report by Lindsay

21ST SEPTEMBER 2015 – BARNEY THE TURTLE KEEPS DIVERS AMUSED

It was a beautiful morning to be under the water!! Visibility was 15-20m at South Solitary Island and with the sun beaming down, it was picture perfect underwater.
Eastern Blue Groper, Cow nose rays, Lionfish, and much more were seen today. The highlight of the day was Barney the Loggerhead Turtle, she was hanging around The Gantry on the second dive and not even bothered with all the divers in her face. Congratulations to Riley for finishing his Open Water certification!!
Great day above and under the water!!

Conditions Report:

• Temperature: 20°C
• Visibility: 15m-20m

Dive Report by Lindsay

22ND SEPTEMBER 2015 – COW-NOSE RAYS BLANKET MANTA ARCH

The two dives at South Solitary Island today were exploding with life!! Manta Arch had about 15 Grey Nurse Sharks, some very large Wobbygongs, a Mantis Shrimp and a massive school of Cow-nose Rays drifting in the current. The Gantry had lots of Turtles, Moray Eels, Blue Tangs, Basslets and Nudibranchs.

Conditions Report:

• Temperature: 20°C
• Visibility: 15m-20m

Dive Report by Lindsay

30TH SEPTEMBER 2015 – MAGIC MORNING AT SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND

We couldn’t of asked for better conditions today as we steamed out to South Solitary Island for a double dive.
Grey Nurse Sharks, Turtles, King-fish, Snapper, Black Cod and beautiful Nudibranchs were just some of the life seen today. There was a large male Green Sea Turtle getting very close to the students near The Gantry at the end of the second dive, such an awesome experience!!!
Photo today is of Tayla with a Green Sea Turtle
Lets do it all again tomorrow!!!

Conditions Report:

• Temperature: 20°C
• Visibility: 20m-25m

Dive Report by Lindsay