New South Wales · 38 sites
Coffs Harbour & Solitary Islands dive sites
The Solitary Islands Marine Park is where the tropics meet the temperate zone: hard corals grow alongside kelp, anemonefish share ledges with blue gropers, and grey nurse sharks, turtles, mantas and leopard sharks all pass through. North Solitary's Anemone Bay has the densest carpet of anemones and clownfish in the country; South Solitary has the lighthouse, Manta Arch and Buchanan's Wall. Split Solitary and North West Solitary are closer in and quieter.
- Sites
- 38
- Wrecks
- 2
- Shore
- 2
- Boat
- 34
- Beginner
- 16
- Deepest
- 40 m
Conditions outlook · Late September – October 2026
Written 27 September 2026Grey nurse sharks are still at South Solitary and the Pinnacles until about November, in 18–19 °C water with the East Australian Current starting to push warmer, clearer water down. The Solitaries are at their best in the spring westerlies before the summer nor'easters.
Getting there
Coffs Harbour is a six-hour drive or a one-hour flight from Sydney. Charters leave from Coffs Harbour marina; North Solitary trips run from Wooli or Coffs and take 40–60 minutes each way.
When to go
Year-round. February to May brings the warmest water and tropical visitors; June to October gives grey nurse sharks and the clearest conditions.
Water & suit
Summer 24-26 °C · winter 18-19 °C. 3 mm shorty/full suit summer, 5-7 mm full suit or semi-dry winter
Nearest chamber: Prince of Wales Hospital (Randwick, Sydney)
Most recorded marine life in Coffs Harbour & Solitary Islands
- Turtles 19
- Nudibranchs 17
- Wobbegongs 17
- Moray eels 8
- Grey nurse sharks 7
- Kingfish 6
- Blue groper 5
- Crayfish 5
- Resident reef fish 5
- Sponges 5
- Bullseyes 4
- Egg cowries 4
- Reef fish 4
- Giant cuttlefish (winter) 3
Plan a dive trip to Coffs Harbour & Solitary Islands →Find your diveCompare the top 4 side by sideNew diver? Start here
The most-dived sites in Coffs Harbour & Solitary Islands
Suggested trip
A 3-day dive trip to Coffs Harbour & Solitary Islands
Built from the sites in this region: an easy start, the signature dives, then something deeper or further. Swap days around the weather; the site pages say which winds and swell close each one.
Build your own Coffs Harbour & Solitary Islands plan: pick days, level and must-dive sites →Day 1 · Settle in
Start with Coffs Harbour & Solitary Islands's easier shore dives: check your weighting, get used to the water temperature and dive the sheltered side of the coast.
- Mutton Bird Island (Coffs Harbour)Shore/Rock Platform · Max 15 m · Open Water
- Diggers Beach (Coffs Harbour)Shore/Rock Platform · Max 6 m · Snorkel/Any
Day 2 · The signature dives
A charter day on the sites people travel to Coffs Harbour & Solitary Islands for, including the main wreck.
- South Solitary Island – Manta ArchPinnacle/Bommie · Max 30 m · Advanced Open Water
- South Solitary Island – Shark GuttersReef · Max 18 m · Open Water
Day 3 · Deeper or further
For divers with the certification and the weather: the deeper walls, pinnacles or less-visited sites of Coffs Harbour & Solitary Islands.
- South Solitary Island – Buchanan's WallWall · Max 30 m · Advanced Open Water
- Wooli – Sandon ShoalsReef · Max 25 m · Advanced Open Water
Dive centres and charters in Coffs Harbour & Solitary Islands
All New South Wales operators →Operators recorded as running sites in this region. Each profile lists the specific sites it goes to.
Jetty Dive Centre
ProfiledConfirmed Sept 2026
Coffs Harbour · Coffs Harbour & Solitary Islands · NSW
Coffs Harbour's PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre, running the Solitary Islands dive fleet from the Jetty Strip with training, retail, Nitrox and whale swims.
jettydive.com.au · (02) 6651 1611
Full serviceTrainingCharterPADI10 services29 sites
Wooli Dive Centre
ProfiledConfirmed Sept 2026
Wooli · Coffs Harbour & Solitary Islands · NSW
The closest operator to North Solitary Island and Pimpernel Rock, with its own 12-metre catamaran and riverside divers' accommodation in Wooli.
woolidive.com.au · (02) 6649 7100
DestinationCharterTrainingPADI7 services10 sites
Map of Coffs Harbour & Solitary Islands dive sites
Click a pin for the site. 16 sites without published coordinates are not shown.
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22 pinned sites. Pins marked approximate on their pages show the general area only; not for navigation.
All 38 Coffs Harbour & Solitary Islands dive sites
All Coffs Harbour & Solitary Islands sites at a glance
38 sites in Coffs Harbour & Solitary Islands · click a column to sort
| Black Rock (Coffs Harbour) | Reef | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Boambee Beach reef | Reef | Max 12 m | Open Water | Shore | Rare |
| Bullocky Reef | Reef | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Diggers Beach (Coffs Harbour) | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 6 m | Snorkel/Any | Shore | Occasional |
| Marsh Shoal | Reef | Max 25 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Mutton Bird Island (Coffs Harbour) | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 15 m | Open Water | Shore or Boat | Weekly |
| North Solitary Island – Anemone Bay | Reef | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Rare |
| North Solitary Island – Bubble Cave | Cave/Cavern | Max 18 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Rare |
| North Solitary Island – Elbow Cave | Cave/Cavern | Max 13 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Rare |
| North Solitary Island – Fish Soup | Reef | Max 22 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Rare |
| North Solitary Island – Grey Nurse Gutters | Reef | Max 22 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Rare |
| North Solitary Island – Muttonbird Gutter | Reef | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Rare |
| North Solitary Island – The Aquarium | Reef | Max 18 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Rare |
| North Solitary Island – The Boulders | Reef | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Rare |
| North West Solitary Island | Island | Max 18 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Pimpernel Rock | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 40 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Sawtell Reef | Reef | Max 15 m | Open Water | Shore or Boat | Rare |
| South Solitary Island – Anemone Flat | Reef | Max 14 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| South Solitary Island – Archie's Cave | Cave/Cavern | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| South Solitary Island – Buchanan's Wall | Wall | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| South Solitary Island – Cable Trail | Reef | Max 18 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| South Solitary Island – Cleaner Station | Reef | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| South Solitary Island – Lighthouse Bommie | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| South Solitary Island – Manta Arch | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| South Solitary Island – North Boulder Wall | Wall | Max 18 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| South Solitary Island – Shark Gutters | Reef | Max 18 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| South Solitary Island – South Boulder Wall | Wall | Max 18 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| South Solitary Island – Steam Boiler | Wreck | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| South Solitary Island – The Gantry | Reef | Max 16 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| South West Solitary Island (Groper Island) | Island | Max 18 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Split Bommie (Coffs Harbour) | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Split Solitary Island – Cod Rock | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 21 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| Split Solitary Island – Coral Corner | Reef | Max 18 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| Split Solitary Island – South Side Moorings | Wall | Max 18 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| Split Solitary Island – The Arch | Cave/Cavern | Max 16 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Split Solitary Island – Turtle Cove | Reef | Max 18 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| The Wash (Coffs Harbour) | Reef | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Wooli – Sandon Shoals | Reef | Max 25 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Occasional |
Coffs Harbour & Solitary Islands diving FAQ
How do I get to the dive sites in Coffs Harbour & Solitary Islands?
Coffs Harbour is a six-hour drive or a one-hour flight from Sydney. Charters leave from Coffs Harbour marina; North Solitary trips run from Wooli or Coffs and take 40–60 minutes each way.
When is the best time to dive Coffs Harbour & Solitary Islands?
Year-round. February to May brings the warmest water and tropical visitors; June to October gives grey nurse sharks and the clearest conditions.
How many dive sites are there in Coffs Harbour & Solitary Islands?
38 documented sites, including 2 wrecks and 2 that can be dived independently from the shore. The deepest reaches 40 m.
Are there beginner dive sites in Coffs Harbour & Solitary Islands?
Yes, 16 sites are rated beginner. Look for the green Beginner tag in the list below, and check the weather notes on each page before diving.
How cold is the water in Coffs Harbour & Solitary Islands?
Typically 24-26 °C in summer and 18-19 °C in winter. Most divers wear 3 mm shorty/full suit summer, 5-7 mm full suit or semi-dry winter.
Which dive centres operate in Coffs Harbour & Solitary Islands?
Jetty Dive Centre, Wooli Dive Centre are recorded as running sites in Coffs Harbour & Solitary Islands. Each site page lists the operators known to go there.
Where is the nearest recompression chamber to Coffs Harbour & Solitary Islands?
Prince of Wales Hospital (Randwick, Sydney). In an emergency call 000, then DAN Asia-Pacific on 1800 088 200.
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