North Solitary Islands

★★★★☆ (131)

Boat dive- Distance from Wooli: Only 7 nautical miles away (approximately a 20-minute boat ride).Depth Range: Diving sites here vary from 10 to 42 meters. Diverse Reef Fish: North Solitary Island boasts the highest diversity of reef fish among all the islands.

Coral Diversity: Over 46 species of coral thrive here. You can also find huge colonies of anemone fish, sharks, rays and schools of fish life

Dive Activity

Potential Wildlife Sightings

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography

Green Turtle
6 Sightings
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2
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0
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0
S
2
O
0
N
1
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame

Moray Eel
6 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
0
A
2
M
0
J
0
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0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto

Wrasse
3 Sightings
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0
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1
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0
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1
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1
O
0
N
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0
Alamy-National Geographic Creative

Leatherback Turtle
2 Sightings
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0
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
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0
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0
O
1
N
0
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0
iStock-ShaneGross

Loggerhead Turtle
2 Sightings
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2
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0
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0
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0
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0
O
0
N
0
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0
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov

Hawksbill Turtle
2 Sightings
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A
1
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0
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0
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0
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N
1
D
0
Alamy-Christian Zappel

Scalloped Hammerhead
1 Sightings
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0
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0
J
0
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0
A
0
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0
O
0
N
1
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

iStock/Dimitrios Stefanidis

Sand Tiger Shark
1 Sightings
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0
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0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 27

iStock-Global_Pics

Barracuda
1 Sightings
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0
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0
M
0
J
0
J
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S
1
O
0
N
0
D
0
iStock-Nigel Marsh

Wobbegong
17 Sightings
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4
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M
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A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
4
O
1
N
2
D
4
Show More

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 2

AdobeStock-hakbak

Nurse Shark
14 Sightings
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F
0
M
2
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
5
A
0
S
2
O
3
N
0
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker

Grouper/Basslets
12 Sightings
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2
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1
M
0
A
3
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
3
O
0
N
0
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 28

Udo Kefrig

Clownfish
11 Sightings
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M
0
A
3
M
0
J
1
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0
A
1
S
6
O
0
N
0
D
0
AdobeStock-Marc Henauer

Grey Reef Shark
8 Sightings
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0
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0
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0
J
4
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer

Stingrays
7 Sightings
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F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
2
O
2
N
0
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 12

iStock/cinoby

Lionfish
7 Sightings
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0
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0
A
1
M
1
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0
J
0
A
1
S
2
O
0
N
0
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3000

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Nudibranch
7 Sightings
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0
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0
A
2
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
1
N
0
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 85

iStock-mirecca

Surgeonfish
6 Sightings
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0
A
0
M
0
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1
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0
A
1
S
2
O
0
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2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey

Angelfish
4 Sightings
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0
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0
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0
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1
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0
A
0
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0
O
1
N
0
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 100

iStock-burnsboxco

Parrotfish
4 Sightings
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0
M
0
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0
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0
A
0
S
2
O
0
N
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2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal

Damselfish
4 Sightings
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2
M
0
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0
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0
A
0
S
1
O
1
N
0
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR

Pufferfish
4 Sightings
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0
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0
A
0
M
0
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0
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
1
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3400

Shutterstock-Shane Gross

Shrimp
4 Sightings
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0
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0
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1
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0
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0
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0
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1
O
0
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0
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek

Butterfly Fish
3 Sightings
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
A
1
S
1
O
1
N
0
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl

Bannerfish
3 Sightings
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0
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1
O
0
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2
AdobeStock-Magnus

Zebra Shark
2 Sightings
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1
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
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0
O
0
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0
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 30

Shutterstock-s_a_j

Sand Eel
2 Sightings
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0
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0
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0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis

Snapper
2 Sightings
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0
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0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
0
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Soldierfish
2 Sightings
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0
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0
A
1
M
0
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0
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0
A
0
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1
O
0
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0
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk

Goatfish
2 Sightings
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
A
0
S
2
O
0
N
0
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 15

Shutterstock-Al McGlashan

Tuna
2 Sightings
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0
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0
A
0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
O
0
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0
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Shutterstock-Miroslav Halama

Cornetfish
2 Sightings
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo

Trumpetfish
2 Sightings
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0
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0
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0
A
0
M
0
J
1
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0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
0
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 30

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Stonefish
2 Sightings
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0
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0
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0
A
0
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0
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0
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0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
1
D
0
iStock-FionaAyerst

Lemon Shark
1 Sightings
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0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
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0
O
0
N
0
D
0
AdobeStock-Nikolai Sorokin

Blacktip Reef Shark
1 Sightings
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0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

iStock-Christian von Mach

Pipefish
1 Sightings
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0
M
0
A
1
M
0
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0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.

Scorpionfish
1 Sightings
J
0
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0
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0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
0
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 50

istock-atese

Frogfish
1 Sightings
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0
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0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix

Sweetlips and Grunts
1 Sightings
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0
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0
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0
A
0
M
0
J
0
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0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

iStock-wrangel

Triggerfish
1 Sightings
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0
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0
A
1
M
0
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0
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0
A
0
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0
O
0
N
0
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 15

Shutterstock-Hans Gert Broeder

Garfish
1 Sightings
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0
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0
M
0
A
0
M
0
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0
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0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
0
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 20

iStock-stephankerkhofs

Porcupinefish
1 Sightings
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0
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1
M
0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
N
0
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel

Boxfish
1 Sightings
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0
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0
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0
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0
M
0
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0
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0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
0
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 7000

iStock-Michael Zeigler

Crab
1 Sightings
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0
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0
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0
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0
M
1
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
N
0
D
0
AdobeStock_Sean

Lion’s Mane Jellyfish
1 Sightings
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0
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0
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0
A
1
M
0
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0
J
0
A
0
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0
O
0
N
0
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 22

Shutterstock-andrzej_67

Cod
1 Sightings
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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N
1
D
0

Dive Sites Nearby

MERIMBULA DIVERS LODGE, 2548 MERIMBULA

Hauler Wreck (★4.0)

The Hauler wreck is a tug purposely sunk for diving in 1979. This is conducted as a boat dive only and is exposed to easterly and northerly weather. Divers should either be undertaking advanced training, or qualified (Deep-30m) for deeper dives.
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

Navy Warf (★4.0)

Diving the Navy Warf is a relatively easy entry/exit dive. Majority of the dive could be spent exploring the pylons under the warf. Sandy bottom with patches of seaweed to the left (West)of the warf.
MERIMBULA DIVERS LODGE, 2548 MERIMBULA

Merimbula Wharf (★4.0)

Easy Entry - Giant stride or fall in. Max depth 16m. Site is on the southern side of the headland and faces south, best with no swell or larger swells and wind coming from the north.
ST PETERS ANGLICAN COLLEGE, 2537 BROULEE

Shark Bay (★4.8)

The beach is part of a permanent sandbar that connects Broulee Island with the mainland. Much of the bay is fairly shallow (3-4 metres), with seagrass beds on the sand and reefs around the rocky sides.
JEREMY T. (#4070382)

Guerrilla Bay (★3.1)

The site offers two dive locations. The Pot, on the north side is for more advanced divers in the right conditions. The Beach, on the south side is rocky with a flat reef extending up in walls on a roughly 35-degree angle and sheer walls that stretch up to ten metres.
DIVE NEAR ME PTY LTD, 2500 Wollongong

Hole in the Wall (★4.6)

Hole In The Wall is just as it say’s, a hole in the reef with no roof. You can only dive this site in very calm conditions. There is only room in the hole for 3-4 divers and you may experience a bit of surge on entry and exit.
SSI AUSTRALIA, 4207 YATALA

Bushrangers Bay (★4.1)

Stop at the most Western car park. This will give access to a viewing platform of Bushrangers Bay. There a a timber staircase that leads down to the entry point. It is a rocky beach so footwear is highly recommended. Great spot for snorkelers and day visitors. No take marine protected area.
Mares

Lou’s Reef (★3.0)

Access this dive site is either by boat or scooter if you are scuba diving or the experienced freediver can snorkel out to the reef. At times you may face a current, however this is why Lou’s Reef has such an abundant fish life.
DIVE NEAR ME PTY LTD, 2500 Wollongong

Gravel Loader (★3.6)

A dive along this jetty and around its end can be very productive. You can sometimes see grey nurse sharks who make this there home over the summer. You can also find banded coral shrimp in a cut off pylon and lionfish in the summer.
DIVE NEAR ME PTY LTD, 2500 Wollongong

The Gutter (★3.9)

The Gutter is an entry point to one of the best dives at Bass Point. Jumping off the rocks into 4 meters of water and swimming north you hitting a 10 meter rock. From here you can venture out to many spots or just hang out in The Gutter itself.
DIVE NEAR ME PTY LTD, 2500 Wollongong

3rd Gutter (★3.7)

A great dive site for all levels of experience. With a depth between 18 and 22 meters and a lot of area covered with vegetation, you can always find some interesting animals.
DIVE NEAR ME PTY LTD, 2500 Wollongong

Blue Devil Cave (★3.8)

The site is one of the best shore dives on the NSW south coast. With at least 3 Blue Devil Fish living in and around a small cave. At max depth of 22 meters & a short swim out to the cave you have plenty of time to take in the marine life on your way out & back. Entry point is at The Gutter.
Mares

Bare Island West (★3.6)

Despite the lower visibility on the western side of Bare Island this is a very popular Dive Site with average depths between 7 - 12mIt’s also one of the few dive sites in Sydney for reliable sightings of the curious Red Indian Fish.,
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Bare Island East (★3.5)

Bare Island is one of the prettiest dive sites in Sydney, with vibrant and diverse sponge gardens populated by lots of delicate creatures such as pygmy pipefish, nudibranchs, sea stars and seahorses
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

Camp Cove South (★3.4)

Shallow easy dive site suitable for beginners and training. Sea grass bottom with boulders , kelp and assorted marine life. A great spot for navigation training.
PRO DIVE CENTRAL COAST, 2261 KILLARNEY VALE

The Valliant (Wreck) (★4.0)

The Valiant was a small tug that sank off Barrenjoey Headland in the early eighties. This site has attracted divers from all over as a small, safe wreck in less than thirty meters of water.
Mares

SS Galava (Wreck) (★4.5)

Lying just over three nautical miles east off Terrigal, the SS Galava wreck is an impressive dive. Due to the depth at 51 meters, this dive is suitable for experienced divers only.
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

Avoca (★3.8)

Avoca is a shore dive. This is a nice dive site when the wind is blowing from the west, as it is a protected area with lots of colors and marine life.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Adelaide (Wreck) (★4.1)

The Adelaide is a former warship scuttled in April 2011 as an artificial reef. Since its sinking, the wreck has proven its worth by providing homes to numerous fish species and is an ideal research area for local Marine Science students from the nearby university.
Mares

The Slide, Terrigal (★3.5)

The reef slope is made up of small boulders and rocks. Once you hit ~13m, the reef will drop off more sharply to ~18m. It is in this area and along the sand line of the reef that the magnificent sponge gardens can be found.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Skillion Cave (★3.7)

The Skillion Cave is a fantastic shore dive. . The cave is not really a cave as such but rather a very large crevice in a reef wall that a large boulder has fallen into to form a “cave“. This dive can only be attempted on a calm day which makes it an all to rare treat from shore unfortunately
Aqualung

Terrigal Haven (★3.5)

You can start your dive from either the boat ramp or the second ramp on the Terrigal Dive side of the Haven. The area underneath the moored boats is sand flats and seagrass. The seagrass in the Haven is a much-overlooked habitat with some of the most interesting critters.
PRO DIVE CENTRAL COAST, 2261 KILLARNEY VALE

Foggy Shark Cave (★4.3)

The cave is just over the edge at a point where two cliffs come together. This dive site is part of an extensive reef system running north to south with a few great dive sites along it.
Mares

3 mile Bommie (★3.7)

Located three nautical miles offshore from the Entrance township, this sizeable reef of approximately 30 hectares holds a vast array of dive sites from shallow reefs droopier to 20 metres. further sites to deeper water, shallow caves and channels.
Mares

Norah Head (Cabbage Tree Bay) (★3.7)

Beginner dive site - perfect for open water courses. Boat ramp/shore entry. Wall dive with a sandy bottom. Max 14m (deepest as you head to the point of the wall).