Manta Arch (South Solitary Island)
Manta Arch is a drift dive at the northern end of South Solitary Island, about 15 km north-east of Coffs Harbour, in the Solitary Islands Marine Park. The dive starts at about 22 m, reaches 29 m in the gutter under the arch and then follows the eastern side down to a mooring at the northern tip over large boulders, cracks and gutters. In June about 10 grey nurse sharks were counted, along with wobbegongs, kingfish and clown triggerfish. Winter brings more grey nurse sharks and giant cuttlefish.
Facts
- Region: New South Wales – Byron Bay to Eden (Australia)
- Area: Solitary Islands (Coffs Harbour–Wooli)
- Depth: 13–29 m
- Level: advanced
- Current: strong
- Type: reef, wall, drift
- Coordinates: -30.2045, 153.268 (approximate)
- Highlights: grey nurse shark, wobbegong, yellowtail kingfish, clown triggerfish, Queensland groper, giant cuttlefish (winter)
- Tips: Position is estimated from the north end of South Solitary Island (island summit 30.207 S, 153.267 E on Wikipedia); no published GPS for the dive itself. Boat only from Coffs Harbour, about 15–20 minutes (Jetty Dive). Depths to 29 m and drift conditions: Advanced Open Water or better; visibility was only about 7 m after rough seas, so check recent weather.