Double Dive to South Solitary Island Coffs Harbour

Big marine life begins offshore. This six-hour trip from Coffs Harbour takes you by boat to South Solitary Island for two guided scuba sessions in the Solitary Islands Marine Park, where tropical and subtropical species meet. I like the chance to see everything from nudibranchs and huge schools of fish to wobbegong, leopard, and grey nurse sharks. I also like the practical one-hour break between sessions, with hot drinks, cup-a-soups, and snacks on board. The main catch is simple: the $182.90 price includes tanks and weights, but you must arrange your own BCD, regulators, mask, fins, snorkel, and wetsuit.

This is a serious outing for certified scuba divers, not a first-time introduction. The boat ride takes about 30 minutes each way, and the crew chooses the site based on conditions when you reach South Solitary Island. That flexibility is useful, though sea conditions can change the feel of the day, from calm and easy to current-affected and less clear.

Key points to know before booking

• Two South Solitary Island sessions: You spend the day at one of Coffs Harbour’s main offshore marine sites, with two separate underwater sessions.
• Marine life can be spectacular: Past outings have included sharks, turtles, rays, dolphins, nudibranchs, batfish, starfish, and large schools of fish.
• The crew provides personal guidance: Groups are arranged around experience levels, with guides such as Bryce, Lindsay, Julz, Nathan, Heidi, and others praised for calm, attentive support.
• Tanks and weights are included: Most other scuba equipment is extra and must be organized directly with Jetty Dive Centre.
• A maximum of 25 people keeps the outing manageable: That is not the same as a tiny private trip, and larger groups can sometimes meet underwater.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, so keep some flexibility in your schedule.

Starting at Jetty Dive Centre at 7:30 am

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

The early start makes sense. You need time to check certification, prepare equipment, and board before the boat heads out. Bring your scuba certificate proof, because it is required. You also need to be physically and medically fit for scuba activity, and the operator asks for a moderate fitness level.

I would sort out rental equipment before the morning of departure. Tanks and weights are part of the $182.90 cost, but BCD, regulators, mask, snorkel, fins, and wetsuit are not. That difference matters when you compare the headline price with your actual total.

The centre is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying in Coffs Harbour without a car. The information supplied does not specify a hotel pickup, so plan to reach the Harbour Drive meeting point yourself.

The 30-minute boat ride to South Solitary Island

Once everyone is ready, the boat travels roughly 30 minutes to South Solitary Island. The trip is short enough to avoid becoming an all-day passage, yet long enough for weather and sea conditions to affect your comfort.

The boat is one of the strongest parts of the operation. It has been described as new, well maintained, and well equipped, with a professional crew and a capable captain. One captain named in the feedback is Steve, while guides including Julz and Nathan have led groups at the island.

The crew does not lock you into one fixed underwater site. Instead, they choose the location with the best conditions after reaching South Solitary Island. That is a smart approach for an offshore trip, since visibility, current, and surface conditions can vary.

You should still expect some uncertainty. A past outing had poor visibility and a stronger current, although the group still encountered sharks, turtles, dolphins, fish, starfish, and rays. Another session had excellent visibility and a notably broad mix of marine life. The lesson is clear: come for the chance to see South Solitary’s wildlife, not for a guaranteed list of species or perfect water.

What South Solitary Island can offer underwater

The Solitary Islands Marine Park is a sanctuary zone, so the site is protected and known for abundant marine life. The East Australian Current often brings cleaner and warmer water than you might expect this far south, while tropical and subtropical species can appear in the same area.

The wildlife list is unusually strong. Past groups have encountered wobbegong sharks, sandbar sharks, leopard sharks, and grey nurse sharks. Turtles, marble rays, dolphins, batfish, starfish, and large schools of fish have also appeared.

Small creatures receive attention too. Nudibranchs and other tiny marine animals can reward a slower pace, especially when visibility is good. If you like scanning rocks and reef surfaces for small finds, tell your guide. A fast-moving group can miss the details.

At the same time, the marine park is not a controlled aquarium. Current can affect your position, and visibility may be poor on some days. One newer scuba diver found the first session challenging because of current, then enjoyed a calmer second session. Your comfort and experience level should guide how you approach the outing.

The first underwater session and guide support

The first session takes place after the crew selects a suitable site at South Solitary Island. You are placed in a small group that matches your experience as closely as possible, then accompanied by a scuba guide.

The strongest praise for this trip focuses on the people in the water. Bryce received special thanks for keeping a close eye on a diver and helping make the day feel special. Lindsay was described as patient and calm with someone on only a second scuba outing. Heidi was singled out for reassurance and competence, while Julz and Nathan were praised for leading groups with care.

That sort of support matters more than cheerful talk on the boat. If you are certified but have not been underwater for some time, tell the crew before the first session. The company has assigned an instructor to less-current or recently inactive groups in the past, but you should not rely on that as a substitute for honest communication about your ability.

The group system has one limitation. On a busy day, as many as 21 people have been on board, and groups occasionally crossed paths underwater. The official maximum is 25 people. That is reasonable for a commercial boat, but it is not the same as having a private guide and empty water around you.

The one-hour surface interval

After the first session, the boat pauses for about an hour. This is more than a snack stop. It gives you time to rest, warm up, talk through conditions, and prepare for the second underwater session.

Hot water is available for tea, coffee, and cup-a-soups, including vegetarian choices. Snacks are included. Those modest comforts are welcome after time in the water, particularly if the day is cool or the sea has been active.

Use this hour sensibly. Eat, drink, and listen to the crew’s briefing rather than treating the break as dead time. Your second session may be calmer than the first, as it was for one less experienced participant, but conditions can also change in the other direction.

The surface interval also gives you a chance to decide how ambitious you want to be. If the first session tested your comfort, speak up. The best part of this trip is not collecting two underwater entries at any cost. It is getting back in safely and enjoying the marine park at a pace that suits you.

The second session and return to Coffs Harbour

The second session follows the same basic pattern: equipment check, guide briefing, entry into the water, and time exploring the selected site. Because you have already experienced the boat, the crew, and the local conditions, you may feel more settled by this point.

Wildlife can vary from one session to the next. One outing produced sharks and turtles on both sessions, while another included large marble rays, leopard sharks, and grey nurse sharks. You might instead spend much of the time with schooling fish and smaller creatures. The variety is part of the appeal, but it also means no two trips should be treated as identical.

After the second session, the boat heads back to shore. The activity ends at Jetty Dive Centre, with the full outing taking about six hours. The schedule is long enough to feel like a proper marine expedition, but short enough to leave your evening open in Coffs Harbour.

Is $182.90 good value?

The price sits in a reasonable middle ground for a boat-based outing with two sessions, a professional crew, tanks, weights, snacks, and hot drinks. The boat trip is not a simple shoreline entry, and reaching South Solitary Island gives you access to a protected marine area with the possibility of large animals and excellent visibility.

The equipment policy is the key value question. If you own a full kit, the price is easier to judge because tanks and weights are already included. If you need a BCD, regulators, mask, fins, snorkel, and wetsuit, add those costs before booking. The advertised figure is not an all-equipment package.

I also think the value depends on your priorities. A wildlife-focused scuba diver may find the price attractive because the setting can deliver sharks, turtles, rays, and unusual small life in one morning. Someone seeking a private guide, guaranteed calm water, or a very small group may find the maximum of 25 less appealing.

Who should book this Coffs Harbour outing?

This trip suits certified scuba divers who want two guided sessions rather than a casual snorkel from shore. It is particularly useful for people who appreciate a crew-led approach, changing site selection, and the chance to see both large animals and tiny marine life.

It can also suit a diver rebuilding confidence, provided you are open about your recent experience and fitness. The crew has supported less experienced participants with calm guidance, and the groups are arranged around ability where possible.

I would think twice if you have not scuba dived for several years and are hoping the boat trip will act as a full refresher course. A past family group had not been underwater for three years, and questions arose around current ability and certification proof. Bring the required documentation and be realistic about your skills.

This is not suitable for uncertified participants. The operator requires proof of certification, and scuba activity also requires suitable physical and medical fitness.

Booking, weather, and cancellation advice

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since the trip is commonly booked about 26 days ahead, I would reserve early if your Coffs Harbour dates are fixed.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 7:30 am start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted. The operator can also cancel because of poor weather or because too few people have booked, in which case you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

That policy makes flexibility useful. If South Solitary Island is the main reason for your visit, avoid placing the trip on the final morning of your stay.

My recommendation for South Solitary Island

I would book this outing if you are a certified scuba diver with your proof of certification ready, your equipment costs understood, and enough schedule space for weather changes. The combination of a well-equipped boat, attentive guides, two sessions, and a protected marine setting gives you a strong chance of a memorable morning.

I would not book it solely because you want to see one particular shark or expect perfect visibility. Conditions vary, and larger groups can share the water. For the right diver, though, $182.90 offers a well-organized route to South Solitary Island, with the possibility of sharks, turtles, rays, dolphins, schooling fish, and the small creatures that reward patient searching.

FAQ

Is this South Solitary Island trip suitable for beginners?

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

What time does the trip start?

The meeting time is 7:30 am at Jetty Dive Centre, 398 Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales 2450.

How long does the activity last?

The full outing takes about six hours, including the boat ride, two underwater sessions, the one-hour surface interval, and the return to Coffs Harbour.

What scuba equipment is included?

Tanks and weights are included. BCD, regulators, mask, snorkel, fins, and wetsuit are not included and must be arranged separately with the operator.

Are food and drinks provided?

Yes. Hot water is available for tea, coffee, and cup-a-soups, with vegetarian options, and snacks are included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.