Meet the site
North Solitary Island's Grey Nurse Gutters are a series of channels cut into the island's reef, functionally similar to the better-known Shark Gutters at South Solitary Island but sitting in a far more remote and lightly dived part of the marine park, reachable only via the 75-minute run from Wooli. The gutters run through typical Solitary Islands rock terrain in roughly 10 to 22 m, providing the current shelter that grey nurse sharks favour when resting during the day. Because North Solitary Island receives a fraction of the diver traffic that South Solitary Island sees from the much larger Coffs Harbour operator, sharks using these gutters tend to be less habituated to divers and correspondingly more easily disturbed, making a slow, low, non-confrontational approach even more important here than at the busier southern site. Wobbegong sharks, turtles and typical Solitary Islands reef fish share the gutters with the resting grey nurse sharks, and the site's isolation means encounters here feel considerably more solitary and unhurried than at the marquee South Solitary Island sites. As with the rest of North Solitary Island, a visit to Grey Nurse Gutters depends on a settled weather window and Wooli Dive Centre's minimum group size requirement for the longer trips, and the site is generally worked into a broader day alongside Anemone Bay and Fish Soup rather than targeted as a stand-alone destination. For divers who have already done the more accessible grey nurse shark dives further south and want a quieter, more remote encounter, this is a worthwhile if logistically demanding option.
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 – Grey Nurse Gutters is recorded as Reef 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.
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 – Grey Nurse Gutters suitable for my certification?
The record lists Advanced 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 – Grey Nurse Gutters 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
Grey nurse sharks, wobbegongs, turtles, general reef fish typical of North Solitary Island
Location
A series of gutters on North Solitary Island distinct from the South Solitary Island site of the same nickname, used by grey nurse sharks moving along this more remote, less-visited part of the marine park.
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
jettydive.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.