Previous Dive Reports!!

Visibility Report

The Visibility at South Solitary was a good 20m today from Cleaner Station to Buchanans Wall.

Water Temperature

Water temp was a beautiful 24C!!

Sea Conditions

A 10-15kn NE and no Tsunami that we noticed.

What we saw out there today!

The first dive we spent around Buchanans Wall and Cable Trail, quite a few Octopus today, four on the first dive and heaps of Morays, some quite big ones that were not quite brave enough tocome all the way out. A few Wobbygongs and a Blind Shark lazing around at the bottom of the mooring line. A couple of Turtles and a fairly big Blubber Jellyfish.
Our second dive a one way dive from Buchanans Wall to The Gantry, lots of Anenomes and Anenome Fish between the two dive sites. Another two Octopus and five Stingarees having a nap at The Gantry. More Moray Eels and lots of schooling Happy Moments, Goatfish, Kingfish, Surgeonfish and the occasional Snapper. We are seeing quite a few Blue Tang around at the moment, especially at The Gantry.
A another couple of great dives.

Visibility Report

The Visibility at South Solitary was a good 20m today from Cleaner Station to Buchanans Wall.

Water Temperature

Water temp was 23/24C today, may finally be able to switch to the 5mm suit, maybe!

Sea Conditions

A slight 5kn NE with less than .5m swell and a .5kn current that made a good drift dive.

What we saw out there today!

The first dive we spent around Buchanans Wall and Cable Trail, lots of Moray Eels, big and small. Five Lionfish in total, common, spotfin and possibly a zebra. Quite a big school of Snapper in the shallows and quite a few Wobbygong lazing around. A Spanish Dancer, not dancing, an Octopus and a big green Turtle off in the distance.
Our second dive was a drift from Shark Gutters to The Gantry, schooling fish everywhere on Boulder Wall. Three Grey Nurse around Cleaner Station and three graceful Eagle Rays, one after the other on Boulder Wall. A couple more Octopus and a tiny Cuttlefish. Three Pencilled Surgeonfish at The Gantry and a few more Snapper and Kingfish, quite a big school of Happy Moments and some Black Cod.
A couple of great dives.

Date: Monday 22nd February 2010....

Visibility Report

The Visibility at South Solitary was 15m at the worse and out to 20 mtrs on the Northern side today, the water was looking blue with a bit , but not much current. The swell from the last few days had all but gone.

Water Temperature

Water temp was really quite nice! Around 22c and up to 24c at South Solitary today.

Sea Conditions

A slight but annoying NW 10kn breeze made it too choppy for snorkelling on the northern side of South Solitary Island. Divers went in on the choppy waters, with a bit more of current heading south..ending up on the calmer western side. Snorkelling was nice.

What we saw out there today!

A bit light on for reports underwater today other than at least 4 turtles and 5-6 Grey Nurse sharks around the top end of South Solitary. Lots of Schooling Tarwhine with great vis to show of the mountains of Bullseyes and Pomfreds. Might have to get out there and Dive myself and do a good report.


Further sightings of the "Lucky if you ever see one" Ornate Ghost-pipefish at Split Solitary Island, along with the rare Eastern Blue Devilfish

Date: Sunday 21th February 2010....

Visibility Report

The Visibility at South Solitary was 12-15m today, the water was a bit green, but getting a hint of clean blue water. The water had bits of particles as a result of the swell from the last few days.

Water Temperature

Water temp wasn't bad at all! Around 22c at South Solitary today.

Sea Conditions

After a week of strong southerlies we had a slight 10kn NE with swell up to a solid 1.5mtr. The Northern end of South Solitary Island was awash with choppy water, with a bit of current heading south..at last, the western side of South Solitary Island was nice.

What we saw out there today!

Dive one was down the bottom end of South Solitary Island at Cable trail. Unusual sightings of 3 Grey Nurse Sharks at the wrong end of the island and, time of the year for them too! Also a few Turtles and Lots of schooling fish on the southern point. Big Snapper in the shallows. Dive Two was up to the Gantry with a large range of critters, including a few new Nudibranchs. Tarwhine and Sweep, and Pomfreds and Bullseyes with Turtles, made all the divers happy. Another pic from Julz

Visibility Report

The Visibility at Split Solitary was 10-12m today, green in the shallows but a cloudy blue in the deeper water.

Water Temperature

Water temp at Split was a very cool 17C!

Sea Conditions

A slight 10kn NE with less than 1m swell.

What we saw out there today!

The first dive was spent at Turtle Cove and the find of the day was an Ornate Ghost Pipefish, only a small one at less than 10cm long. Lots of schools of Pomfreds and Bullseyes.
The second dive was at Mikes Mooring. Quite a big Numb Ray swimming around and a Turtle. A Slipper Lobster, lots of Nudibranchs and Egg and Tiger Cowries. A couple of big Blubber Jellyfish and stil lots of Sea Cones in the water. Even though it was a tad cool, we still had a couple of enjoyable dives with lots to see.

Visibility Report

The Visibility at South Solitary is a fantastic 20- 25m, very pleasant and lots to see! A small amount of suspended particles just didn't allow it to get to 30m.

Water Temperature

Water temp at South Solitary Island is 23/24C, oh how nice with the warmth!

Sea Conditions

A slight NW breeze made a few ripples on the Northern end, the swell still present, by abating nicely. The afternoon saw a breeze spring up from the NE.

What we saw out there today!

The start of the day saw us at Shark Gutters, then on dive two we ended up around at the Gantry with a drift, great viz and warm water, oh and just a few fish!!
Half a dozen Grey Nurses still hanging around, and schooling Pomfreds and Goatfish, not to mention the Tarwhine galour. Quite a few Moray Eels were out and Stingarees still dotted around. Wobbygong's galore too. A few turtles and suprising sightings of Blubber Jellyfish today and Vicky found a rare Nudibranch.. she thinks! Did I mention the big scholl of small kingfish?
Here is Vicky's Nudi.. any guess what it is you Slug experts??