Meet the site
Lighthouse Bommie sits on the sheltered western side of South Solitary Island, directly below the island's landmark lighthouse — first lit in 1880 and one of the more remote and historically evocative lighthouse stations on the NSW coast — and close to the collapsed gantry wreckage found a short distance away. Like the Gantry and the nearby Boulder Walls, its position on the lee side of the island keeps it reliably diveable even when swell has closed the more exposed north-eastern moorings such as Manta Arch. The bommie itself rises from the surrounding sand and reef to within about 10 m of the surface, dropping to 18-20 m at its base, and supports a solid population of resident reef fish, turtles resting in its lee, and the same rich sponge and coral growth typical of this side of South Solitary Island. It lacks the singular drawcard of a grey nurse shark aggregation or a dramatic swim-through, but its gentle depth range and sheltered position make it a comfortable, reliable dive well suited to Open Water divers and to pairing with a visit to the historic Gantry wreckage close by. For visitors keen to combine a good, easy reef dive with a sense of South Solitary Island's maritime history, Lighthouse Bommie is a natural complement to a day otherwise built around the more demanding grey nurse shark sites on the island's exposed side, and Jetty Dive Centre will often use it as a calmer second or third dive once the main objectives for the day have been achieved.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
South Solitary Island – Lighthouse Bommie is recorded as Pinnacle/Bommie 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.
- 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 South Solitary Island – Lighthouse Bommie 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 South Solitary Island – Lighthouse Bommie 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
Turtles, schooling reef fish, wobbegongs, sponges and soft corals, nudibranchs
Location
A bommie off the western side of South Solitary Island, below the historic 1880 lighthouse, near the Gantry wreckage site, on the more sheltered side of the island.
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.audivernet.comRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.