Meet the site
Elbow Cave sits on the western side of the southern part of North Solitary Island, where a reef fans out from the island in a broad semi-circle for 75 to 100 m, cut by a series of gullies running roughly north-south across the reef top. The cave itself is a small, uncomplicated swim-through best entered from its southern side, delivering divers into the main gully system at around 12 to 13 m — an easy, non-technical overhead section rather than a demanding cave dive, which keeps the site accessible to Open Water divers. The site's real drawcard is the sheer volume of life packed into a shallow, sheltered setting: tens of thousands of anemones carpet the reef, hosting several clownfish species side by side — Clark's, red, false clown, three-spot dascyllus and orange anemonefish have all been recorded here — alongside guineafowl moray eels, a good range of nudibranchs, Spanish dancers and egg cowries. Scattered through the site, now so heavily encrusted with coral and sponge growth that identification is difficult without local knowledge, are the remains of a fishing trawler that sank here around 1988 or 1989, adding a modest wreck element to what is otherwise a pure reef dive. Concrete plaques installed some years ago by the NSW Marine Parks Authority as part of an interpretive underwater trail can still be found around the site, though their upkeep has not kept pace with the growth covering them. What sets Elbow Cave apart from many Solitary Islands sites is the sheer amount of time divers can comfortably spend there: with depths rarely exceeding 13 m and typically excellent visibility of 20 to 30 m, dives here regularly run 75 to 80 minutes, far longer than the 30-40 minute dives typical of the deeper sites at South Solitary Island or Pimpernel Rock. Combined with calm, current-free conditions in the lee of the island, this makes Elbow Cave one of the best sites in the whole marine park for unhurried macro photography, and it is accessible only through Wooli Dive Centre, which requires a minimum group of six to run the trip.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
North Solitary Island – Elbow Cave is recorded as Cave/Cavern in Coffs Harbour & Solitary Islands. The listed access is boat (day trip). Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Topics flagged by the stored research
These are questions prompted by the existing notes, not a verified or complete hazard assessment.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- Overhead environments
- Ask whether the plan stays entirely in open water. A wreck or cave listing is not permission or training to enter.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is North Solitary Island – Elbow Cave suitable for my certification?
The record lists Open Water. That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book North Solitary Island – Elbow Cave through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
Tens of thousands of anemones with multiple clownfish species (Clark's, red, false clown, three-spot dascyllus, orange anemonefish), guineafowl moray eels, nudibranchs, Spanish dancers, egg cowries
Location
Western side of the southern section of North Solitary Island: a reef running out from the island in a semi-circle for 75-100 m with north-south gullies, a small swim-through cave, and the wreckage of a fishing trawler sunk around 1988-89.
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
michaelmcfadyenscuba.infoRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.