Meet the site
Split Solitary Island, only 9 km from Coffs Harbour and reachable in about 20 minutes, is by far the most heavily used site in the marine park precisely because its proximity and generally sheltered aspect make it diveable on days when wind or swell rules out the more exposed islands further offshore. The southern side, where most of the named moorings sit — Shrimp Mooring, Cowry Mooring, Moray Mooring, Lobster Lair, Mike's Mooring, The Wall and Kingfisher Point among them — follows an irregular drop-off marking the edge of a shallow plateau at around 10 m, with the bottom flattening out and gradually deepening to 15-18 m beyond it. The names of the individual moorings are a fair guide to what divers find at each: moray eels, egg cowries and banded coral shrimp are resident throughout the area, and the flat sections beyond the drop-off are thickly covered with hard and soft corals, sponges, ascidians, bryozoans, tube worms and algae, providing exceptional habitat for nudibranchs and other small invertebrates. Turtles move through regularly, and the general resident reef-fish population is dense even by Solitary Islands standards, making this less a single dramatic dive site than a rich, continuously interesting stretch of reef that rewards slow, attentive diving. Because Split Solitary is the default fallback for Jetty Dive Centre whenever conditions elsewhere are marginal, it also carries the bulk of the operator's training and check-out dives, and visibility here is typically lower than at the more exposed South Solitary Island, since the site sits closer to the mainland's river and creek outflows. What it lacks in the singular spectacle of Manta Arch, it makes up for in reliability and sheer density of smaller, photogenic marine life, and for many visiting divers this becomes the site they end up doing most often simply because it is the one most likely to actually run.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Split Solitary Island – South Side Moorings is recorded as Wall 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 Split Solitary Island – South Side Moorings 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 Split Solitary Island – South Side Moorings 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
Moray eels, egg cowries, banded coral shrimp, nudibranchs, hard and soft corals, sponges, ascidians, bryozoans, tube worms, turtles, resident reef fish
Location
The southern side of Split Solitary Island, closest of the group to Coffs Harbour, along an irregular drop-off marking the edge of a shallow plateau; several named moorings (Shrimp, Cowry, Moray, Lobster Lair, Mike's, Kingfisher Point) sit along the same wall in 10-18 m.
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.comjettydive.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.