Meet the site
The Boulders occupies the eastern flank of the northern part of North Solitary Island, where enormous boulders and a series of deep gullies create some of the most dramatic large-scale topography anywhere in the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Depths start around 20 m close in against the island and increase quickly to 25-30 m or more moving east, and the standout feature is a channel running between the island's two sections that local divers have nicknamed the Grand Canyon for the scale of the boulder walls rising either side of the swim. This scale attracts correspondingly large marine life: grey nurse sharks use the gullies and cave mouths as resting spots, Queensland groper of well over two metres have been recorded emerging from caves here, and huge rays, eagle rays and big schools of kingfish and yellowtail work the current lines between the boulders, alongside firefish and bream in the more sheltered pockets. This is unmistakably a site for experienced divers: there is no permanent mooring, so the boat must track divers' bubbles and wait for them to surface, entries are typically negative or fast to beat any current, and the depths involved put much of the site's best features at or beyond recreational no-decompression comfort margins for less experienced divers. Because of the depth, the lack of a mooring and the generally more exposed position on this side of the island, Wooli Dive Centre only runs The Boulders in calmer weather windows and, as with its other remote sites, requires a minimum group of six divers to justify the run. For divers with the certification and experience to handle 25-30 m depths and moderate current, though, this is regarded as one of the most impressive big-topography, big-animal dives in the entire Solitary Islands Marine Park, on a par with the more famous Manta Arch at South Solitary Island but with a fraction of the diver traffic.
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 – The Boulders 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.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
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 – The Boulders 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 – The Boulders 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, Queensland groper (2 m+), huge rays, eagle rays, firefish, bream, kingfish, yellowtail
Location
Eastern side of the northern section of North Solitary Island: huge boulders and gullies with caves and swim-throughs, including a channel between the island's two sections nicknamed 'the Grand Canyon'.
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.