Pimpernel Rock....... Solitary Islands Marine Park

Big Fish, Big Cave, Big Depth,.... Big Dive!!
This has some Big Mean Fish...!!

Pimpernel Rock is located right on the North western point of Solitary Islands Marine Park. It is a advanced dive site on it's best day, because of a few factors; The sheer depth of the site, and the vunerability of currents
Drawing courtesy of Tom Byron

Pimpernel Rock has no mooring, it can be accessed by an anchor line placed in the correct position, however, you cannot dive the area from a private boat without a permit to do so. So the area is usually dived by one of the charter boats that travel to the site.
The site is not always friendly! Any current can be difficult and more than slight current, can make it a challenge beyond diver's ability to get down to the site!
This area is known for Large Pelagics including big Kingfish and Mulloway and common sightings of Grey Nurse Sharks in the deeper cave areas.
Pimpernal Rock is mind blowing when you get the conditions right! The descent down the peak leads you into the entrance of the Cave that is more of a huge swim thru than a cave.
This cave is the size of a tunnel that would allow a Semi Trailer Truck thru! Within the cave is deep water marine life. Sea whips and Sea Tulips are something that you notice that are different, as these species don't thrive in shallow depths. The Bottom of the Cave is 39 metres and areas around can get deeper. Your dive time is very limited with the depth, but if you multi-level with the use of computers, you will extend your bottom times.
Nitrox can be an amazing difference in this site, especially if you plan 2 dives on the area.
Dive times are relatively short but offers some amazing animals for our area. To have Kingfish and Mulloway cruise close to you and know they are bigger than you is nothing short of exciting! Truely an Advanced to very Advanced Dive-site and should be done only with extra preparation and planning!

What you'll see at Pimpernel Rock..

What you see on most dives! (Click the picture for a larger view. Click the name for additional information.)
Blue Gropers	Jewfish or Mulloway	Goatfish	Black Cod	Sea Star	Pomfreds
Black Coral	Clownfish	Old Wife's	Tarwhine	Surgeonfish	Stripeys
Flutemouth's	Hulafish	Sweep	Wobbygong	Sergeant Baker	Moray Eels

What you might see, if you're lucky! (Click the picture for a larger view. Click the name for additional information.)
Lionfish	Blue Angelfish	Clown Triggerfish	Emperor Angels	Bullrays	Eagle Rays
Cuttlefish	Mantis Shrimp	Spanish Dancer	Grey Nurse Sharks	Leopard Shark	Bannerfish

Hazards or Dangers

Currents: Depending on the East Aussie Current, Pimpernel Rock can be exposed to quite strong currents, this can make it difficult to start and finish the dive in the same location. (The Pimpernel Rock gutter itself is usually calm)
The current usually heads from north to south around the Rock, and can be too strong to swim against. Pimpernel Rock on a small current day, is a great to Dive. Beware! The current at this point can swing divers out into the deep blue sea!
Be careful if you are diving from a boat without a surface watch! We do not recommend this in this area with that current!

We will run charter Dive Trips to utilize the calmer days, If there is no current and looking good, we start at the Jetty Dive shop EARLY!! Pimpernel Rock is 1.5 hours north by road to Minnie Waters, then the trip out to Pimpernal Rock.

We are constantly updating, so watch these spaces!
If you see any mistakes or wish to help add some information for others, just email us.. Please!

click here to Email US for any Information or Booking or just to say G'Day!

Jetty Dive Centre
398 Harbour Drive
The Jetty Strip
Coffs Harbour
New South Wales (NSW) 2450
AUSTRALIA
Tel (+61) 02-66-511-611 (All hours)
Fax (+61) 02-66-525-702
webmail send questions to mail@jettydive.com.au

Located in Coffs Harbour, NSW and diving the Solitary Islands Marine Park, we have Scuba Divers from all over Australia, dive our amazing sites.
Easy and cheap flights to the Banana Coast in Northern NSW, for Divers from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.