Double Dive to South Solitary Island Coffs Harbour

South Solitary Island is the draw here: a sanctuary zone where tropical and subtropical sea life meet. You could see grey nurse sharks, leopard sharks, wobbegongs, turtles, rays, batfish, nudibranchs, and thick schools of smaller fish, though the ocean always has the final word.

I like the two separate underwater sessions, which give you more time to see the site without cramming everything into one short descent. I also like the calm, practical setup: a 30-minute boat ride, a one-hour surface break with hot drinks and snacks, and small groups led by a Divemaster. The main catch is that tanks and weights are included, but most other scuba gear must be arranged separately.

Key points

• South Solitary sanctuary zone: Protected waters can support sharks, turtles, rays, schooling fish, and smaller creatures.
• Two guided descents: The first and second sessions are separated by a full one-hour surface interval.
• 30-minute boat ride: The island is close enough for a half-day outing, but conditions can still change offshore.
• Certified divers only: You must show proof of scuba certification and be medically and physically fit.
• Equipment costs extra: Tanks and weights are included, while a BCD, regulator, mask, snorkel, fins, and wetsuit are not.
• Maximum of 25 people: The total boat group can be fairly sizeable, even though underwater groups are arranged by experience.

Why South Solitary Island is worth the boat ride

The Solitary Islands Marine Park benefits from the East Australian Current, which often brings warmer, cleaner water to this stretch of coast. That current helps explain the unusual mix of species. You are not limited to the familiar temperate fish of southern Australia, yet you are not looking only at tropical life either.

That variety is the best reason to choose this trip. On one outing, you might find small nudibranchs and other tiny creatures, then look up to see large schools of fish or a shark moving past. Reported sightings have included wobbegongs, sandbar sharks, leopard sharks, grey nurse sharks, turtles, marble rays, dolphins, starfish, and batfish.

No sighting is promised, and visibility can shift with weather and water movement. One outing had excellent visibility and a long list of marine life. Another had poor visibility, a stronger current, and plenty of sharks, turtles, rays, and fish anyway. That is useful context: this is a wild marine setting, not an aquarium with guaranteed viewing conditions.

A simple 7:30 am start at Jetty Dive Centre

You meet at Jetty Dive Centre, 398 Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour, at 7:30 am. The activity ends at the same place after the boat returns.

The early start makes sense. It allows the crew to reach South Solitary Island, complete two sessions, and return within roughly six hours. You should arrive ready to organize your equipment and complete any required checks before boarding. The provider confirms bookings within 48 hours, subject to availability.

The centre is near public transport, which helps if you are staying in Coffs Harbour without a car. The supplied information does not state a hotel pickup service, so plan to make your own way to the jetty.

This is not a casual introduction to scuba. You must be a certified scuba diver and show proof of certification. You also need to be physically and medically fit, with a moderate level of fitness expected. If you have not been underwater for a long time, tell the crew before setting out. One group had divers who had not been in the water for three years, and the staff assigned an instructor to give them extra support.

The 30-minute run to the island

The ride to South Solitary Island takes about 30 minutes aboard one of Jetty Dive Centre’s larger boats. That short run keeps the outing manageable, but it does not remove the normal realities of an offshore trip. Wind, swell, current, and visibility all affect the day.

Once you arrive, the crew chooses the site with the best conditions at that time. This is a sensible approach. You are not locked into one exact underwater route if another area offers safer or clearer conditions. It also means the actual scenery and marine life can vary from one departure to the next.

The boat carries up to 25 people, so the overall group may feel busy. Underwater, the crew forms smaller groups suited to experience level and led by a Divemaster. That arrangement matters most if you are newer to certified scuba or uneasy in current.

The names of individual staff can change, but the crew connected with this operation includes Divemasters and instructors such as Bryce, Lindsay, Julz, Nathan, and Heidi, along with Captain Steve on the So Wild boat. Their roles may not be assigned to your particular outing, so treat those names as examples rather than a promise.

What the first underwater session may offer

The first session is your chance to settle into the site and see how the conditions feel. South Solitary Island can offer large animals and tiny subjects in the same area, so pace helps. If you rush after every large fish, you may miss the small creatures tucked into the reef.

The marine life recorded on this route gives you a good idea of the range. Wobbegongs and leopard sharks may appeal to anyone hoping for unusual shark sightings. Grey nurse sharks and sandbar sharks have also been seen. Turtles, rays, and large schools of fish add movement when the larger sharks are not nearby.

You might also find nudibranchs, starfish, and other smaller subjects. Ask your Divemaster what to look for before entering the water. A guide who knows where to point can make a major difference, especially when visibility is less than perfect.

Current is another factor. One reported outing had a stronger current during the first session, while the second was calmer. Your own conditions may be different, but you should be ready for the water to feel more demanding than a sheltered shore entry.

The crew guides groups according to experience, which is useful, but you still need to be comfortable with your certification skills. This is not a refresher class. If you are rusty, contact the centre before booking and ask what support is available.

The one-hour surface interval

After the first session, the boat pauses for about an hour. This is the practical heart of the schedule. You have time to recover, drink something hot, eat a snack, and prepare for the next descent without rushing straight back into the water.

Hot water is available for tea, coffee, and cup-a-soups, including vegetarian options. Snacks are included. That is a modest detail, but it matters on a cool or tiring morning, especially after dealing with current and boat movement.

Use the break to drink, eat, check your kit, and discuss the first session with the crew. You can also ask about the next site or what marine life is likely in the chosen area. The supplied details do not specify a full meal, so do not treat the snacks as lunch.

A one-hour break also makes the price easier to assess. You are not paying for two rushed entries. The schedule gives the crew time to manage the surface interval properly and gives you a genuine second chance at the island.

The second session and the trip home

The second session may feel calmer, as it did on one outing, but you should not count on that. Sea conditions can shift during the morning. The crew chooses the site according to conditions, and your group may see a different part of South Solitary Island on the second entry.

This second chance is especially valuable when the first session has poor visibility or stronger current. You may see a turtle, shark, or school of fish that was absent earlier. You may also find that the second entry suits you better once you have adjusted to the boat, water temperature, and group pace.

After the second session, you return to shore. The trip takes about six hours from start to finish, making it a substantial half-day activity rather than a quick add-on between other Coffs Harbour plans.

What is included, and what you must arrange

The $182.90 price includes the boat trip, two guided scuba sessions, tanks, and weights. Tea, coffee, cup-a-soups, and snacks are also included during the surface break.

You must arrange other equipment separately. This includes:

• BCD
• Regulator
• Mask
• Snorkel
• Fins
• Wetsuit

This is the biggest practical point to check before paying. If you already own your equipment, the price is easier to understand. If you need to hire nearly everything, ask Jetty Dive Centre about availability and additional costs before booking. The listed price is not an all-in equipment package.

The mobile ticket is convenient, but it does not remove the need to bring certification proof. Keep your scuba certificate available for the check-in process.

Is $182.90 good value?

For a certified diver with most equipment already arranged, I think the price is reasonable for a six-hour offshore outing. You receive two guided entries, boat transport to South Solitary Island, tanks, weights, a full surface interval, and basic food and drinks.

The value rests on the marine park and the two-session format. A single short trip can be spoiled by poor visibility or by missing the animals you hoped to see. Two sessions give you more time and reduce the sense that the morning depends on one brief window underwater.

The price looks less attractive if you need to hire a BCD, regulator, mask, fins, and wetsuit. Those costs are separate, so calculate the total before comparing this trip with another operator.

The operation has received a 4.9 rating from 31 recorded ratings, with 97 percent recommending it. The most consistent praise focuses on the crew’s care, the boats, organization, and the quality of the underwater outings. That does not guarantee perfect conditions, but it does suggest that service and safety are central parts of the experience.

Boat, crew, and group size

The boats are described as new, well maintained, and well equipped. That matters on a site where the boat is your base for several hours. You want room to prepare, recover, and manage equipment without unnecessary confusion.

The crew’s strongest role is helping you make good decisions in changing conditions. Staff members have been praised for staying calm with less experienced certified divers and for giving extra attention when needed. Heidi and Lindsay are two names associated with reassuring guidance, while Julz and Nathan have led groups at South Solitary Island.

The total limit of 25 people is worth noting. That is not a tiny private charter. The underwater groups are smaller and matched to experience, but groups can still cross paths at a popular site. If you prefer a very quiet, highly personal outing, ask about the expected numbers for your date.

Who will enjoy this outing most?

This trip suits certified divers who want a chance to see larger marine animals as well as small reef life. It is a good match for people who already have their basic scuba skills and are comfortable taking direction from a Divemaster.

It also suits divers returning to the water after a break, provided they are honest about their recent experience and contact the centre in advance. Extra supervision may be possible, but certification and physical fitness remain required.

I would not choose it for someone seeking a first-ever scuba experience. It is also a poor fit if you want a guaranteed shark encounter, a sheltered swim, or a complete equipment package included in the headline price.

Bring a sensible attitude to conditions. You might get clear water and several shark species. You might instead get lower visibility, current, and a rewarding search for smaller creatures. Both are genuine versions of this marine park.

Weather, cancellations, and booking timing

The trip requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the outing, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached, with a different date or experience offered as an alternative.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 7:30 am start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses local Coffs Harbour time.

This trip is usually booked about 26 days ahead, so popular dates may fill. That lead time is a useful planning guide, not a guarantee. If your schedule is fixed, book early and leave room for a weather change.

Should you book the South Solitary Island trip?

Book it if you are certified, comfortable offshore, and interested in a broad mix of marine life rather than one guaranteed animal. The two-session format, protected marine park, hot drinks, snacks, and attentive crew support make this a well-rounded half-day outing.

Check the equipment costs first. That is the one issue most likely to change your final budget. Also accept that current and visibility can vary, even when the crew does everything right.

For an experienced or recently refreshed scuba diver who wants sharks, turtles, rays, schooling fish, and the chance to spot small reef creatures, this is one of the stronger ways to spend a morning in Coffs Harbour.

FAQ

Is this activity for certified scuba divers only?

Yes. You must be a certified scuba diver and provide proof of certification.

How long does the activity last?

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

What time does the trip start?

You meet at Jetty Dive Centre at 7:30 am.

Where do I meet the boat?

The meeting point is Jetty Dive Centre, 398 Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450.

How long is the boat trip to South Solitary Island?

The boat ride takes about 30 minutes.

Are tanks and weights included?

Yes. Tanks and weights are included in the listed price.

Is the rest of the scuba equipment included?

No. You must arrange a BCD, regulator, mask, snorkel, fins, and wetsuit separately.

Are food and drinks provided?

Yes. The crew provides tea, coffee, cup-a-soups, and snacks during the one-hour surface interval. Vegetarian cup-a-soup options are available.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather or insufficient numbers cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund.