Dive-site story
Located off the northern side of South West Solitary Island, also locally called Groper Island, this site features a maze of rocky gutters cut through sandstone reefs and boulder fields. Because the Solitary Islands Marine Park sits directly in the mixing zone of the East Australian Current and cooler southern flows, sub-tropical hard corals mix directly with temperate kelp and sponge gardens. Divers navigate parallel trenches where schooling fish gather to shelter from offshore currents.
Series of rocky gutters sheltering aggregation of wobbegongs and stingrays
Resident, curious eastern blue gropers shadowing divers throughout the gullies
Fascinating blend of tropical coral species and temperate kelp beds in one location
Location
Use the map to plan with your operator and confirm the exact entry point on the day.
Seasonality
Warmer waters and tropical fish species arrive with the East Australian Current in summer and autumn, while winter brings cooler conditions and higher numbers of grey nurse sharks.
Marine life
| Species | Likelihood | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern blue groperAchoerodus viridis | Common | ||||||||||||
| Spotted wobbegongOrectolobus maculatus | Common | ||||||||||||
| Grey nurse sharkCarcharias taurus | Seasonal | ||||||||||||
| Black codEpinephelus daemelii | Common | ||||||||||||
| Green sea turtleChelonia mydas | Common |
Marine forecast
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