Diving South West Rocks and solitary Is.

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Nick added 2010-02-15

The signature dive site at SW Rocks is Fish Rock Cave, a 100m+ tunnel running through the rock with Grey Nurse in a gutter on exit. Take an powerful dive light and back up. Fish Rock Dive Centre is one of the two dive operations. the place is small so accomodation is limited but last time I was there the dive centre organised a nice 4 bed house (self catering).

As for Solitary Islands, I have always dived with Stan at Wooli Dive Centre. (woolidive.com.au). Heaps of experience and most importantly the closest dive operation to Pimpernel Rock, the signature site. Its a pinnacle starting at 8m below the surface and extending down to 45m+ with a huge cave/tunnel running through it with Grey Nurse inside, great fish life around, Kingfish, Jewfish, morays and I've seen a Blue Ringed on my stops. I'm not sure that the operations out of Coffs/Mulloway ever get that far north but wherever you come from you need flattish seas and expect current! but thats why the fish are there!

Other dive sites to look out for in the more sheltered islands are Fish Soup (don't need to explain that one!), The Steps (deeper - I've seen a Bull Shark there), Mackerel Run (Eagle Rays occasionally) and the more laid back Anemone City.

The problem with Wooli is the lack of accom. although there are self catering places that Stan can sort out very close to the beautiful beach or you can stay at the local pub, comfortable but basic.

Coffs would have more choice of course and they also dive the South Islands which is somewhere Stan does not go to very often. I've heard of manta sightings there.

Wherever you stay, you'll have a great time. Solitaries are some of the best diving I've done on the East Coast (including most of the Barrier Reef). Fingers crossed for good weather but if it gets bad there, Julian Rocks at Byron Bay is only an hour and a half north.

Nick

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