New South Wales
A 75-kilometre marine park where tropical, subtropical and temperate species genuinely overlap.
The Solitary Islands Marine Park stretches approximately 75 kilometres along the coast and covers around 71,000 hectares. It is one of the largest and most ecologically interesting marine parks in New South Wales.
Its proximity to the East Australian Current produces a distinctive mixture of tropical, subtropical and temperate marine life — hard corals growing alongside temperate species that would be out of place on a tropical reef.
Visit NSW particularly highlights extensive anemone beds and soft corals around North Solitary Island, which is one of the region's signature underwater features.
| Water temperature | Roughly 18–26°C. |
|---|---|
| Visibility | Commonly 10–30 m, best when the current runs clean. |
| Season | Year-round. Grey nurse sharks are strongly associated with cooler months; tropical species peak in late summer. |
| Diving types | Marine park, Reef, Shark diving, Soft coral |
| Businesses documented | 2 |
| Dive sites documented | 2 |
Choose the experience
Coffs Harbour & the Solitary Islands is documented for marine park, reef, shark diving and soft coral. Compare operators by the sites, schedule, group model and support your planned dives require.
Time the visit
Year-round. Grey nurse sharks are strongly associated with cooler months; tropical species peak in late summer. Visibility: Commonly 10–30 m, best when the current runs clean.
Build the shortlist
This guide connects 2 documented businesses and 2 dive sites. Read the individual profiles, then verify availability and suitability with the operator.
Useful next reads: interpreting dive conditions, exposure protection and the Australian packing list.
The species mix changes noticeably with distance offshore and with season, which makes repeat diving here more rewarding than a single visit suggests.
Coffs Harbour is the main access point for the southern and central parts of the marine park. Wooli provides access to the northern marine-park region and surrounding islands, including North Solitary Island.
The distinction matters: which island a boat can reach in a day depends heavily on where it departs from.
Each profile separates what is verified from what is advertised, and lists the questions still worth asking the operator directly.
Jetty Dive CentreCoffs HarbourPADICoffs 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.BoatCoursesAdvancedProNitroxHireSource-backed profile
Wooli Dive CentreWooliPADIThe closest operator to North Solitary Island and Pimpernel Rock, with its own 12-metre catamaran and riverside divers' accommodation in Wooli.BoatCoursesAdvancedHireStaySource-backed profileUse these guides to match the region to the right season, experience level and style of diving.
Before you book
Capabilities and requirements change. Read how to choose a dive centre for what to actually evaluate, and confirm certification requirements, equipment hire and conditions directly with the operator before travelling.
Year-round. Grey nurse sharks are strongly associated with cooler months; tropical species peak in late summer.
Water temperature: Roughly 18–26°C.. Visibility: Commonly 10–30 m, best when the current runs clean.. These are planning ranges rather than guarantees for a particular dive.
This directory currently connects 2 businesses with 2 documented dive sites. Read individual profiles because training, boats, equipment and gas services differ.
Beginner training or beginner-classified sites are documented in the region. Suitability still depends on the exact site, weather, supervision and the diver's comfort on the day.
Match the operator to the intended site and support required. Compare current schedule, group size, guiding, equipment, cancellation terms and how the operation assesses recent experience.
