The Solitary Islands are a small archipelago of five granite islands a few kilometres offshore from Coffs Harbour, sitting on the boundary where the warm East Australian Current meets the cooler southern waters. The result is one of the most biologically diverse stretches of coast in Australia: tropical reef fish, soft corals, grey nurse sharks, the local Black-spotted Stingaree, and dolphins year-round.
The grey nurse aggregation at South Solitary Island is the main attraction for divers — large, placid sharks that can be approached closely in clear water. Day boats and snorkel charters run from the marina; Jetty Dive and Dive Quest are the established operators. Whale-watching cruises follow the same boats from June to November when humpback whales pass close to the islands.