Dive Sites - South Solitary Island

Come Dive “The Light”…

Nick-named "The Light" because of it's most prominent feature (a lighthouse!), it is situated 8.5 miles north east of the harbour. Being further off-shore, the island is more exposed to the magnificent blue water currents. Here are some of it's stunning sites...

Typical marine life found round South Solitary Island includes Blue Groper, Grey Nurse Sharks, Wobbygongs, Shovelnose Rays, Bull Rays, Eagle Rays, Loggerhead Turtles, Frogfish, Anglerfish, King Fish, Bannerfish, Jewfish, Trevally, Wrasses, Moray Eels, Giant Cuttlefish, Blue Tangs, Clownfish, Nudibranchs, and the list goes on and on…

Manta Arch (1)

The Light's SHARK DIVE, with in excess of thirty Grey Nurse Sharks at one time, this dive is sure to get your adrenalin pumping. Situated near the northern tip of the island, there is an underwater arch surrounded with boulders and ridges peaking at 15 meters with gutters tailing down to 30 metres. The area is covered with large anemones and different varieties of Clownfish. Towards the island, from the arch, there is a pile of boulders rising up from 21 meters of water, this is the best place to watch the masses of schooling Pelagic fish.

Cleaner Station (2)

In addition the cleaner station itself, Barney the Loggerhead Turtle, and Charlie the Blue Groper are regular friends to visit here. Along with an array of marine life in the gutters and boulders, including Angelfish, Black Cod and Frogfish. Site 10m – 20m.

Grey Nurse Gutters (3)

In this area, the bottom is sliced by gutters radiating out from the shore in depths from 10 meters to 18 meters. This area is well known for it's abundant fish life and sightings of Grey Nurse Sharks. Schooling Kingfish, Silver Trevally, Jewfish, Pomfreds, Bullseyes and Tarwhine are often found in this area. Scattered amongst the boulders you will find anemone and clownfish, Blue Groper, Flute Mouth, lots of wrasses and bushes of black coral.

Boulder Wall (North 4 & South 5)

If prolific fish life is your liking, this dive is for you. Large boulders litter the top and cascade over the edge of the wall, levelling out to a comfortable 18 meters. This provides a perfect base for Crayfish to hide and corals full of tropical fish like Blue Tangs to thrive. Schools of fish are abundant with Silver Trevally, Goatfish, Tarwhine, Red Morwong and Snapper to name a few. During the winter, we have frequent encounters with Giant Cuttlefish along the wall which entices turtles to the island.

The Gantry (6)

The site where the old Gantry crane for loading supplies onto the island collapsed into the water. A great shallower dive 12-15m, with lots of marine life and wreckage. A turtle haven!

Buchanan's Wall (7)

Towards the southern end of the island, we have a wall on the south-west side of a rock mass starting at 15 meters, and ending at 30 meters. This is a good area for invertebrate life, including Nudibranch's, Spanish Dancers, encrusting soft corals and anemone's with clownfish that are big enough to wear boxing gloves!.

Cable Trail (8)

Just along from Buchanan's Wall there is a boulder pile and associated rock masses. There is the remains of old trawl cable draped around the area, hence it's name. This is another good area for fish and sightings of Grey Nurse. There is a large Black Ray residing in the area and Cuttlefish are often seen here.

Other Sites

Other sites at the island include Archie’s Cave (9) and the Steam Boiler.

South Solitary Island website

Go to the great website of the history of the lighthouse at South Solitary Island with a click here!

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