Black Rock is a submerged rocky reef within the Solitary Islands Marine Park, about five minutes by boat off Coffs Harbour. This open-water snorkel site sits near the western edge of South Solitary Island, where nutrient-rich currents support a remarkable blend of tropical, subtropical, and temperate marine life. Depths range from 5 to 20 metres, with rocky formations, gutters, and coral-encrusted bommies creating a vibrant underwater landscape. Access is by boat charter only, and conditions demand confident swimming ability — this is deep-water snorkelling with no shallow bottom to stand on.
Black Rock (Coffs Harbour)
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Wave Height 0.4 mSwell Period 6.3 sWind Speed 9.7 knPrecipitation 0.0 mmTidal Phase flood
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Moderate risk: Variable ocean conditions
Surface conditions can become choppy or too rough for snorkelling; swell and wind are common even in shelter of the islands.
Moderate risk: Deep water only (5-20m)
No shallow areas to stand — snorkellers must be able to tread water in depths of 5 to 20 metres throughout the entire visit.
Low risk: Strong currents
Nutrient-rich currents around the reef can be unpredictable and strong, requiring competent swimming ability.
Low risk: Restricted visibility
Visibility varies greatly; minimum 15m is required for trips to run, but conditions can change rapidly.
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Getting in
Snorkel tour
Entry
Black Rock is accessed via boat charter from Coffs Harbour. Jetty Dive (at the Coffs Harbour Jetty) runs snorkelling trips to the Solitary Islands Marine Park sanctuary zones, including Black Rock. The boat ride takes approximately 5 minutes from the western edge of South Solitary Island. Trips are weather-dependent and must be booked in advance.
Parking & facilities
Paid and free parking available near the Coffs Harbour Jetty precinct, including the Marina Drive car park and Jetty Beach carpark.
parkingtoilets
Snorkel tours approximately $170 per person (includes wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins, and morning tea). Prices may vary.
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About this data
- Conditions last evaluated
- Spot data last updated
- Data sources
- Open-Meteo (marine & weather conditions), tide predictions via UTide, community contributors (descriptions, hazards, marine life).
- License
- Spot content licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. How's the Spot is open source.
Weather & swell ┬╖ Open-Meteo marine & weather APIs Tides ┬╖ UTide harmonic analysis Sea & safety ┬╖ community reports