Double Dive to South Solitary Island Coffs Harbour

South Solitary Island gives you a real chance to see grey nurse sharks, leopard sharks, turtles, rays, and huge schools of fish in one morning on the water. The East Australian Current can bring warm, clear water and a mix of tropical and subtropical species to this protected marine area.

I like the sensible format: two underwater sessions for $182.90, with tanks and weights included, plus a full hour to warm up and eat between them. I also like that the crew chooses the site after checking conditions, rather than forcing every boat into one fixed location.

The main catch is equipment. You must be a certified scuba diver, show proof of certification, and arrange your BCD, regulators, mask, snorkel, fins, and wetsuit separately. Conditions can also change quickly, so the marine life and visibility are never guaranteed.

What makes this South Solitary trip worth considering

• Sharks and turtles are realistic possibilities: Past outings have produced grey nurse, leopard, sandbar, wobbegong, and leopard sharks, along with turtles and marble rays.
• A 30-minute boat ride keeps the island within easy reach: You spend less time commuting and more time at the marine park.
• The crew adjusts the site to the conditions: The best available location is chosen once the boat reaches South Solitary Island.
• Tanks and weights are included: You only need to arrange the rest of your personal scuba kit.
• A proper one-hour surface break is built in: Tea, coffee, cup-a-soups, and snacks help you reset before the second session.
• The group can be as large as 25 people: Small guided groups are used in the water, but the boat itself may feel busy on a full departure.

Leaving Coffs Harbour at 7:30 am

Your morning begins at Jetty Dive Centre, 398 Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour. The start time is 7:30 am, and the trip returns to the same meeting point after roughly six hours.

That early departure makes sense. You have enough daylight for two sessions and a useful break between them, while the crew still has time to select a suitable site at South Solitary Island. You should arrive ready with your certification proof and all equipment arranged in advance.

The centre is near public transportation, but you should still check your own route carefully because missing a 7:30 am departure would be a costly mistake. The mobile ticket is convenient, though confirmation is subject to availability and can arrive within 48 hours of booking.

This is not an introductory lesson or a casual snorkelling trip. You need current scuba certification, a reasonable level of fitness, and the physical and medical ability to take part in scuba activities. If your certification is not readily available, bring formal proof with you.

The 30-minute run to South Solitary Island

The boat ride to South Solitary Island takes about 30 minutes. That is long enough to get away from the harbour and feel the open-water setting, but short enough that the morning is not swallowed by transport time.

The Solitary Islands Marine Park is the main attraction here. The area includes a sanctuary zone, so it is protected from some extractive activity and can support a strong variety of marine life. The East Australian Current also matters. It can carry warmer water and tropical species southward, mixing them with animals more typical of subtropical waters.

You may see a very different underwater scene from one outing to the next. Visibility, current, water temperature, and animal activity all depend on the day. Some sessions can offer clear water and large schools of fish, while others may have reduced visibility or a stronger current.

That uncertainty is part of the deal with a marine park trip. The crew does not promise one exact animal list. Instead, the boat heads to the island and chooses the site with the best conditions available.

Choosing the site for your first underwater session

Once you reach South Solitary Island, the crew selects a location based on the conditions. This is one of the most useful parts of the operation because it gives the morning some flexibility.

The underwater groups are guided by a Divemaster and arranged to suit experience levels. That matters if you are still building confidence or have not been in the water for a while. Lindsay, Bryce, Julz, and Nathan are among the named crew members associated with previous outings, while boat skipper Steve and guides such as Heidi have also been singled out for their calm, professional approach.

You should still be honest about your experience. One reported situation involved divers who had not been underwater for three years and did not have certification proof available. The crew assigned an instructor to help that family, but you should not count on a special arrangement. Bring your documents and tell the staff if you need closer support.

Conditions can vary sharply between the two sessions. A strong current affected one first session, while the second was calmer and easier. That is why a two-session format is useful: even if the first descent feels demanding, the second may offer a more relaxed chance to enjoy the reef.

What you might see below the surface

The animal list here is unusually appealing for a coastal Australian outing. Reports from South Solitary Island include grey nurse sharks, wobbegong sharks, sandbar sharks, leopard sharks, turtles, marble rays, and other rays.

You may also encounter large schools of fish, including batfish, along with smaller creatures such as nudibranchs and starfish. The mix of tropical and subtropical species is one reason the area attracts experienced scuba enthusiasts.

The shark encounters are not presented as a guaranteed feature, but they are a genuine possibility. Several outings produced more than one shark species, and one session included a grey nurse shark. If large marine animals are high on your list, this trip has a stronger appeal than a standard harbour snorkel.

The small details matter too. Nudibranchs reward slow observation, while big schools of fish give you the scale and movement that make an underwater session memorable. You will get more from the trip if you can stay calm, manage your air carefully, and keep looking beyond the first large animal you spot.

Poor visibility does not always mean a disappointing day. One difficult outing still produced sharks, turtles, dolphins, fish, starfish, and rays. You should book for the marine environment and the crew’s site choice, not for a guaranteed crystal-clear view.

The one-hour break between sessions

After the first session, the boat pauses for about an hour. This is a useful amount of time, not just a token break before being asked to get back in.

Hot water is available for tea, coffee, and cup-a-soups, including vegetarian options. Snacks are also provided. You can use the time to eat, drink, warm up, check your equipment, and discuss conditions with the crew.

A full hour also gives your body a chance to settle. Scuba is physical work, especially when you are dealing with current, swell, or a wetsuit. If you are new to boat-based scuba or have not been in the water recently, this pause makes the schedule more manageable.

Do not expect a café menu. The food is simple boat fare, designed to keep you going rather than provide a full meal. Bring any special food or drink you need, since the included provisions are limited to the items described.

The second session and return to Coffs Harbour

After the surface interval, you make the second descent at the site selected by the crew. This may be calmer than the first, or it may present a different set of conditions. The point is not to repeat the same scene, but to give you another chance to explore the island’s underwater habitat.

Once the second session is complete, the boat heads back to shore. The whole outing lasts about six hours and ends at Jetty Dive Centre.

The schedule suits you if you want a focused morning at South Solitary Island rather than a full-day expedition. It also leaves the rest of your day open, though you should allow yourself time to recover after two sessions before planning anything strenuous.

How the $182.90 price works

At $182.90 per person, the price is reasonable if you already own or can borrow the major pieces of scuba equipment. Tanks and weights are included, which removes two standard costs from the total.

You must budget separately for the following:

• BCD
• Regulators
• Mask
• Snorkel
• Fins
• Wetsuit
• Other scuba equipment you may require

This distinction is important. The advertised price is not an all-equipment package. Ask Jetty Dive Centre what rental gear is available and what it costs before you book, especially if you are visiting Coffs Harbour without your own kit.

The value improves if you are already certified and equipped. You receive boat transport, two guided sessions, tanks, weights, the surface break, snacks, and the marine park setting in one six-hour outing. For a fully equipped diver, that is a tidy package.

The value is less clear for someone who must hire nearly everything. Add those costs before comparing this trip with another local operator. The mobile ticket and free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead are helpful, but they do not remove the need to check the equipment bill.

Group size, guidance, and comfort

The maximum group size is 25 people. That is not a tiny boat party, and the vessel may feel active when it is full. In the water, though, the sessions are guided in smaller groups suited to experience levels.

That arrangement gives you the benefit of a larger boat operation while keeping the underwater groups more manageable. Still, group spacing may vary with visibility and conditions. One busy outing involved 21 divers, and groups crossed paths several times.

If you prefer absolute quiet and plenty of personal space, this may not be your ideal format. If you want a guided trip with professional boat support and the chance to meet other certified divers, the scale is more practical.

The crew’s strongest quality appears to be its attention to safety and diver support. Names such as Heidi, Bryce, and Lindsay are linked with calm assistance and patient guidance, while the boat crew is described as professional and careful. You should still remember that a guide can support your decisions, but cannot replace good certification, fitness, and honest self-assessment.

Who should book this outing

I would choose this for a certified diver who wants access to a protected marine area and a good chance of seeing larger animals. It suits you especially well if sharks, turtles, rays, and schooling fish matter more than luxury facilities or a guaranteed species list.

It is also a sensible option for divers who have some experience but want a guided day. The crew chooses the site, leads the groups, and provides a full surface interval, so you are not managing every part of the outing alone.

You should think twice if you have not been in the water for a long time, do not have certification proof, or are unsure about your fitness for scuba. The crew may provide extra support in some situations, but the basic requirements remain firm.

This is not for someone who wants to snorkel casually, learn scuba from scratch, or rent a complete kit without checking the extra cost. It is built for certified participants who understand that ocean conditions can change.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 7:30 am start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Weather matters. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. Since the trip is booked about 26 days ahead on average, advance planning is wise, particularly if your Coffs Harbour visit has fixed dates.

Should you book the South Solitary Island trip?

Book it if you are a certified scuba diver, can arrange the required equipment, and want a serious marine encounter rather than a gentle sightseeing cruise. The combination of two guided sessions, a protected marine park, warm currents, sharks, turtles, rays, and large fish schools gives this outing real substance.

I would be cautious only about two things: the extra equipment cost and the unpredictability of ocean conditions. If you accept those limits, the $182.90 fare offers good value for a six-hour boat trip with tanks, weights, snacks, and a proper break included.

Bring certification proof, be honest about your recent experience, and leave room in your expectations for both excellent visibility and tougher conditions. On a good day, South Solitary Island can deliver the sort of animal encounters that make you want to return to Coffs Harbour with your scuba kit already packed.

FAQ

Do I need scuba certification for this activity?

Yes. This outing is for certified scuba divers only, and you must provide proof of certification.

What time and where does the trip start?

The trip starts at 7:30 am at Jetty Dive Centre, 398 Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450.

How long does the activity last?

The activity lasts approximately six hours, including the boat ride, two underwater sessions, the surface interval, and the return to Coffs Harbour.

Are tanks and weights included?

Yes. Tanks and weights are included in the $182.90 price.

Is the rest of the scuba equipment included?

No. You must arrange equipment such as a BCD, regulators, mask, snorkel, fins, and wetsuit separately. Snorkelling equipment is also not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also receive a full refund for cancellations made at least 24 hours before the start time.