Double Dive to South Solitary Island Coffs Harbour

Sharks, turtles, and tropical fish await offshore. This six-hour trip takes certified scuba divers from Coffs Harbour to the protected waters of South Solitary Island, where the East Australian Current can bring warm, clear water and an unusual mix of tropical and subtropical sea life. I like the guided small-group format, and I also like that tanks and weights are included in the $182.90 price. The main catch is that you must arrange the rest of your scuba gear yourself.

You leave Jetty Dive Centre at 7:30 am and travel about 30 minutes by boat to the island. I also appreciate the one-hour surface break with hot drinks and snacks, since two ocean sessions can take more out of you than expected. Conditions can change, though, and current or poor visibility may affect what you see.

Key points to know before booking

• South Solitary Island is reached by a 30-minute boat ride, keeping the outing focused on time in the water rather than a long transfer.
• Two guided scuba sessions are included, with the site chosen according to the day’s conditions.
• The East Australian Current can bring warm water and tropical species, alongside local subtropical marine life.
• Sharks, turtles, rays, large fish schools, nudibranchs, and starfish have all been seen, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
• Tanks and weights are included, but you must arrange a BCD, regulator, mask, snorkel, fins, and wetsuit separately.
• The trip is limited to 25 people, with a 97 percent recommendation rate and a 4.9 rating from 31 reviews.

Why South Solitary Island makes a strong scuba outing

South Solitary Island sits within the Solitary Islands Marine Park, a protected area where marine life benefits from sanctuary rules. The East Australian Current helps explain the island’s appeal. It can carry warmer water and tropical species southward, creating a meeting point between tropical and subtropical life.

That mix is the real reason to choose this trip. You may see ordinary reef fish alongside species more often linked with warmer waters. Past sightings have included large schools of fish, batfish, sharks, turtles, marble rays, nudibranchs, starfish, and dolphins.

The range is impressive, but you should keep your expectations sensible. Ocean conditions rule the day. One outing produced excellent visibility, several shark species, and large fish schools. Another had poor visibility and a stronger current, yet still produced sharks, turtles, dolphins, rays, and plenty of fish. The island can reward you even when the water is not perfect.

Because the site is in a sanctuary zone, the setting feels less like a controlled attraction and more like a real marine environment. You are not visiting an aquarium with guaranteed sightings. You are entering a protected section of open ocean, where the conditions and animal behavior shape each session.

Leaving Coffs Harbour at 7:30 am

Your morning begins at Jetty Dive Centre, at 398 Harbour Drive in Coffs Harbour. The trip starts at 7:30 am and finishes back at the same meeting point, making it easy to plan around a stay in town or nearby.

The boat ride to South Solitary Island takes about 30 minutes. That is a useful balance. You travel far enough to reach offshore marine habitat, but you are not spending most of the morning in transit.

The boat is one of the stronger parts of the operation. It has been described as new, well maintained, and well equipped, with a professional crew focused on safety. Captain Steve has been singled out for his work aboard the So Wild, while dive leaders such as Julz and Nathan have been praised for their calm and capable approach.

You should arrive ready for an early start and a full morning on the water. The outing lasts roughly six hours, so this is not a quick coastal activity you can squeeze between breakfast and lunch. It is the main event for the day.

Choosing the site at South Solitary Island

Once you reach the island, the crew selects the site with the best conditions. This matters because the ocean can change quickly, and the most scenic location is not always the safest or clearest choice on a particular morning.

The guided format also helps you make better use of your time underwater. A Divemaster leads each group, and groups are arranged to suit experience levels. That is especially useful if you are certified but have not been in the water recently, or if you are still building confidence in open-ocean conditions.

One visitor described a first session with a stronger current and a calmer second session. Another reported crossing paths with other groups during a busy outing with 21 divers. The maximum group size for the whole boat is 25, so this is not a private charter. Even so, the use of smaller guided groups gives the crew a way to keep the underwater groups more manageable.

If you have been out of the water for a long time, tell the crew before departure. On one outing, an instructor named Teagan was assigned to a family whose divers had not been underwater for three years and had not yet provided certification proof. That extra attention shows the sort of support the crew may provide when they know your background.

What you might see below the surface

The marine life is the main reason to pay for this trip. South Solitary Island has produced sightings of grey nurse sharks, leopard sharks, wobbegong sharks, and sandbar sharks. Some outings have also included turtles, marble rays, dolphins, batfish, and huge schools of smaller fish.

You may also find the quieter details that reward a slow pace. Nudibranchs, starfish, and other small creatures have been spotted among the larger animals. If you enjoy searching rather than simply waiting for a large animal to appear, ask your guide to point out smaller species.

Grey nurse sharks are a particularly notable sighting. They can make a first ocean session feel dramatic, especially for a newer certified diver. One newer diver described seeing sharks, including a grey nurse shark, during a stronger current on the first session, then enjoying a calmer second session with turtles and colorful fish.

Still, do not book this outing on the promise of a particular animal. The supplied experiences show how much conditions can vary. Excellent visibility may reveal small nudibranchs and distant fish schools. Poor visibility may limit the view, but sharks, rays, turtles, and dolphins can still appear.

The first underwater session and the surface interval

The crew takes you into the water for the first guided session after selecting the best available site. The duration and exact route are not specified, so you should ask Jetty Dive Centre if you need a detailed profile before booking.

Afterward, you return to the boat for a one-hour surface interval. Hot water is available for tea, coffee, and cup-a-soups, including vegetarian options, along with snacks. This is a simple touch, but it matters. You can warm up, drink something, eat a little, and let your breathing and energy settle before returning to the water.

Bring any personal food or drink you prefer, but the included refreshments cover the basic needs of a morning at sea. The break also gives you time to discuss the first session with your guide and understand what to expect next.

The boat is not a luxury lounge, and the trip is not built around comfort between sessions. The refreshments are practical rather than elaborate. That is perfectly fine for a scuba-focused trip, but it helps to know where the $182.90 is being spent: boat access, crew, tanks, weights, and two guided sessions, not a full catering package.

The second session and return to Coffs Harbour

After the hour-long break, you return to the water for the second guided session. This second portion can feel very different from the first. Currents may ease, visibility may improve, or the crew may choose a site with a different character.

One outing had a calmer and more enjoyable second session after a stronger current at the start. That is a useful reminder not to judge the entire day by the first few minutes underwater.

After the second session, the boat heads back to Coffs Harbour. The activity concludes at Jetty Dive Centre, where you began. With a six-hour total duration, you should have most of the afternoon free, though your own energy level may suggest a quiet meal and an easy schedule afterward.

What the $182.90 price really includes

At $182.90 per person, the trip offers fair value if you already own or can borrow the needed scuba equipment. Tanks and weights are included, which removes two of the more basic rental costs.

The price does not include the main personal equipment used for the sessions:

• BCD
• Regulators
• Mask
• Snorkel
• Fins
• Wetsuit

You must organize those items individually with the operator. This is the most important pricing detail. If you need a full equipment package, your final cost will be higher than the advertised rate, so contact Jetty Dive Centre before paying.

For an experienced certified diver who already has gear, the price is easier to justify. You receive a boat trip to an offshore marine park, two guided sessions, tanks, weights, crew support, and refreshments. The protected location and chance of seeing large marine animals add real value.

For someone who needs every piece of equipment, compare the final rental cost with other local options. The trip may still be worthwhile, but the headline price does not tell the full story.

Safety, fitness, and certification rules

This outing is for certified scuba divers only. You must provide proof of certification, and the operator also requires you to be physically and medically fit for scuba activity.

You should not treat certification as the only preparation needed. Open-ocean conditions can include current and changing visibility. A moderate level of physical fitness is required, and you should be honest with the crew about your recent experience in the water.

The guided groups are a strong safety feature. Divemasters lead the sessions, and the crew can match groups to experience levels. Staff members including Bryce, Lindsay, Heidi, Julz, Nathan, and Teagan have been praised for staying calm, offering reassurance, and paying close attention to individual needs.

That said, the trip is not a refresher course for uncertified people. If you have never completed scuba certification, this is not the place to learn. If you have certification but have not used it for years, ask the operator what preparation they recommend before booking.

The group size and overall atmosphere

The boat can carry up to 25 people. That is a moderate group for an offshore boat trip, though it will not feel private on a busy day. One outing had 21 divers, and the groups crossed paths underwater several times.

The best fit is someone who enjoys a social boat atmosphere and understands that other groups may be nearby. The advantage is that a larger operation can provide several guides and accommodate people with different levels of experience.

The crew receives strong praise for professionalism, boat quality, and care with divers. Mike has been mentioned as especially welcoming, while Heidi has been praised for being reassuring and calm. These details matter if you are nervous about current, large animals, or returning to scuba after a break.

The overall rating is 4.9 from 31 reviews, with 97 percent recommending the experience. That is a strong result, but the occasional complaint about group size and poor visibility is worth taking seriously. You should book for the setting and the chance to encounter wildlife, not for guaranteed solitude or perfect water.

Weather, cancellations, and practical planning

The trip requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can accept another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, and local time controls the cut-off.

Confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The meeting point is near public transportation, which is useful if you are staying in Coffs Harbour without a car.

The most important practical tip is to settle the equipment question early. Tanks and weights are included, but the rest must be arranged separately. Also bring proof of scuba certification and allow enough time to arrive prepared for the 7:30 am start.

Who should book this South Solitary Island outing?

I would recommend it most strongly to certified divers who want access to an offshore marine park and already have their own equipment or can arrange rentals without trouble.

It suits you if you enjoy:

• Large marine animals such as sharks, turtles, and rays
• Searching for smaller creatures such as nudibranchs and starfish
• Guided groups rather than an independent boat charter
• A full morning on the water
• Changing natural conditions rather than a guaranteed display
• A crew that can offer extra reassurance when needed

It may not suit you if you are uncertified, medically unfit for scuba, uncomfortable with open-ocean conditions, or hoping for a private and quiet outing. It is also less convenient if you need a complete equipment package and want one simple all-inclusive price.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you are a certified scuba diver who values access to protected offshore water, strong boat operations, and the possibility of seeing sharks, turtles, rays, and tropical fish in one outing. The included tanks and weights, two guided sessions, one-hour surface break, and experienced crew make $182.90 a reasonable starting price.

Before booking, confirm the full equipment cost and consider your recent water experience. If you are prepared for changing visibility, current, and a shared boat, South Solitary Island offers a memorable and wildlife-filled morning from Coffs Harbour.

FAQ

Is this trip suitable for uncertified scuba participants?

No. The activity is for certified scuba divers only, and you must provide proof of certification.

How long does the experience last?

The outing lasts approximately six hours, including the boat trip, two scuba sessions, the surface interval, and the return to Coffs Harbour.

What time does the trip begin?

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

How long is the boat trip to South Solitary Island?

The boat journey takes about 30 minutes.

How many scuba sessions are included?

Two guided scuba sessions at South Solitary Island are included.

Are tanks and weights included in the price?

Yes. Tanks and weights are included.

Is the rest of the scuba equipment included?

No. You must organize a BCD, regulators, mask, snorkel, fins, and wetsuit separately with the operator.

Are refreshments provided?

Yes. Tea, coffee, cup-a-soups, vegetarian options, and snacks are provided during the one-hour surface interval.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.