Groper Islet or South West Solitary Island

Groper Island - Gardens of Coral Reef

On the northern side of Groper Island or South West Solitary Island are three mooring (usually!), the perfect location for diving on a day of southerly winds
Groper Island is a divesite that like Split Solitary Island, can be amazing, with extensive Coral gardens of Plate coral, much more than the Great Barrier Reef!. This site hides a lot of macro life.

The moorings is located in 10-12 metres of water on the contour of deeper water and shallow 8 metre and shallower reef.
The Eastern end mooring has large gravel based gutters running into the island with rocky nooks as you venture around the eastern side of the island.
The Western end gently slopes away from the moorings an has very prolific coral cover, the more interesting parts of this area are in the shallows with unusual fish to be found. Lots of Egg Cowry shells and nudibranchs.
The divesite can get to 18 metres deep, but usually varing between 12 and 16 metres. Not as prolific with big fish compared to South Solitary, with usually poorer visibility, but on it's day, South West Solitary can be a great dive.

What you'll see at South West Solitary's Northern Moorings..

What you see on most dives! (Click the picture for a larger view. Click the name for additional information.)
Blue Gropers	Sweep	Goatfish	Hawkfish	Sea Star	Pomfreds
Gorgonian Coral	Morwong	Old Wife's	Tarwhine	Surgeonfish	Stripeys
Flutemouth's	Hulafish	Egg Cowry	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	Eastern Blue Devilfish	Turtles	Bullrays	Eagle Rays
Cuttlefish	Mantis Shrimp	Spanish Dancer	Grey Nurse Sharks	Nudibranch	Bannerfish

Hazards or Dangers

Currents: No current usually, an ideal site for the first dive in the area, as it is an easy dive.
Be careful with your navigation this area has been known to get people lost! The visibility at South West Solitary is not always good, hence this problem.
Navigation tip! If you are getting deeper, maybe you are moving away from the island!
Mike's Mooring is usually a good mooring in days with North easterly sea breezes, because is allows for protection behind the island.

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!

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