[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":306},["ShallowReactive",2],{"leaderboard-total":3,"spot-seo-north-solitary-island-bubble-cave":9,"spot-north-solitary-island-bubble-cave":51},{"entries":4,"total":5,"period":6,"type":7,"generated_at":8},[],0,"all_time","reports","2026-10-03T06:32:05.526386Z",{"title":10,"description":11,"canonical_url":12,"og_image":13,"structured_data":14,"breadcrumbs":44},"Snorkeling Conditions at North Solitary Island - Bubble Cave - How's the Spot","Check snorkeling conditions at North Solitary Island - Bubble Cave, New South Wales. Excellent conditions, water 21.8°C, waves 0.08m","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.com\u002Fspots\u002Fnorth-solitary-island-bubble-cave","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_north-solitary-island-bubble-cave_0_7370afe4c5fe.jpg",[15,28],{"@context":16,"@type":17,"name":18,"description":19,"url":12,"geo":20,"address":24},"https:\u002F\u002Fschema.org","Place","North Solitary Island - Bubble Cave","The North Solitary Islands, part of the Solitary Islands Marine Park, are a stunning snorkeling destination 7 nautical miles offshore from Wooli on the NSW Mid North Coast. This is where the warm t...",{"@type":21,"latitude":22,"longitude":23},"GeoCoordinates",-29.929429,153.391466,{"@type":25,"addressRegion":26,"addressCountry":27},"PostalAddress","New South Wales","Australia",{"@context":16,"@type":29,"name":30,"description":11,"url":12,"breadcrumb":31},"WebPage","Snorkeling Conditions at North Solitary Island - Bubble Cave",{"@context":16,"@type":32,"itemListElement":33},"BreadcrumbList",[34,39,42],{"@type":35,"position":36,"name":37,"item":38},"ListItem",1,"Home","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.com",{"@type":35,"position":40,"name":26,"item":41},2,"https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.com\u002Fexplore?region=new-south-wales",{"@type":35,"position":43,"name":18,"item":12},3,[45,47,49],{"label":37,"href":46},"\u002F",{"label":26,"href":48},"\u002Fexplore?region=new-south-wales",{"label":18,"href":50},"\u002Fspots\u002Fnorth-solitary-island-bubble-cave",{"id":52,"name":18,"slug":53,"latitude":22,"longitude":23,"description":54,"difficulty":55,"image_url":13,"status":56,"tide_constituents":57,"hazard_entries":108,"access_info_structured":218,"area_boundary":113,"routes":113,"created_at":230,"updated_at":231,"today_conditions":232,"today_verdict_view":253,"images":278,"submitted_by":303,"region_name":26,"verification_status":305,"verified_at":113,"disputed":289,"verifier_count":5,"last_verified_display_name":113},"efa23fa0-fbed-4b41-a824-3806327ce14c","north-solitary-island-bubble-cave","The North Solitary Islands, part of the Solitary Islands Marine Park, are a stunning snorkeling destination 7 nautical miles offshore from Wooli on the NSW Mid North Coast. This is where the warm tropical currents of the Great Barrier Reef meet cooler southern waters, creating a unique biodiversity hotspot. Sheltered bays and coves around the islands offer crystal-clear waters teeming with subtropical marine life, hard and soft corals, and abundant tropical fish. It's considered some of the best snorkelling in NSW — accessible by boat tour from Wooli or Coffs Harbour, with protected conditions ideal for families and beginners, while also rewarding for experienced snorkelers.","intermediate","published",{"name":58,"amplitude":74,"phase":90,"latitude":22,"model":106,"epoch":107},[59,60,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72,73],"2N2","J1","K1","K2","M2","M4","MF","MM","N2","O1","P1","Q1","S1","S2","T2",[75,76,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,84,85,86,87,88,89],0.02499829346809106,0.008629678454586658,0.18621042946714855,0.035393036426403506,0.53262241543786,0.003592528547706191,0.004181799128426683,0.004282786053682233,0.11249454219531867,0.09508761823867243,0.0570528639982124,0.021879427625188196,0.01234202727428212,0.1423469264462048,0.01363706257884253,[91,92,93,94,95,96,97,98,99,100,101,102,103,104,105],295.56342750099316,11.528551387909657,342.78827206176186,297.47990035517336,302.1366588252953,270.01746853816104,206.54688866215778,43.15663413261257,294.57989609646154,315.7281718940403,340.8931549608084,277.902203288942,323.45813712551376,313.81856237440047,339.1313964741661,"EOT20","1992-01-01T00:00:00Z",[109,114,118,121,126,129,133,136,139,142,145,148,151,154,157,160,163,166,169,172,175,178,181,184,187,190,193,196,199,202,205,208,211,215],{"name":110,"description":111,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Strong currents at NW point","Strong currents can develop around the north-western point of the island; snorkellers should avoid going around the corner.","warning",null,{"name":115,"description":116,"severity":117,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Deep drop-offs","The bay floor drops sharply from 15 m to 25–30 m at the outer edge; less experienced snorkellers should stay inside the bay.","caution",{"name":119,"description":120,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Remote island access","Anemone Bay is 14 km (25 min boat ride) offshore — no shore-based facilities, emergency services, or shelter beyond the boat.",{"name":122,"description":123,"severity":117,"season_start":124,"season_end":125},"Cold water (winter)","Winter water temperatures drop to 19°C, increasing hypothermia risk for extended snorkel sessions without a wetsuit.",6,8,{"name":127,"description":128,"severity":117,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Boat traffic at moorings","Several moorings in the bay are used by dive boats; surface awareness required to avoid boat traffic.",{"name":130,"description":131,"severity":112,"season_start":36,"season_end":132},"Strong North-South Current","The East Australian Current sweeps strongly from north to south around the island, especially on the eastern side. Can make swimming back to the mooring difficult and may cause unplanned drift dives.",12,{"name":134,"description":135,"severity":112,"season_start":36,"season_end":132},"Swell and Surge in Channel","The narrow split between the two rocks concentrates swell energy, creating surge conditions that can push snorkelers against the rocks. Requires calm seas to safely navigate the gap.",{"name":137,"description":138,"severity":117,"season_start":36,"season_end":132},"Boat Traffic","Access is by boat only from Coffs Harbour or Wooli. The site is a popular charter destination with dive boats mooring at the western side. Be aware of mooring lines and vessel traffic.",{"name":140,"description":141,"severity":112,"season_start":36,"season_end":132},"Strong ocean currents","The East Australian Current can create strong north-to-south currents around the island, making swimming back to the mooring challenging.",{"name":143,"description":144,"severity":117,"season_start":36,"season_end":132},"Limited visibility variation","Visibility ranges from 5 metres on poor days to 30 metres on good days; sudden changes can disorient swimmers.",{"name":146,"description":147,"severity":112,"season_start":36,"season_end":132},"Cave entanglement risk","The cave entrance can be tight and dark; snorkelers entering the cave risk disorientation and entanglement.",{"name":149,"description":150,"severity":117,"season_start":36,"season_end":132},"Depth variability","Bottom depth ranges from 5 metres at the cave entrance to 15 metres at the sandy base; strong buoyancy control needed.",{"name":152,"description":153,"severity":112,"season_start":124,"season_end":125},"Ocean swell and choppy surface conditions","Even in the shelter of the islands, wave action is common. Snorkel trips are often cancelled when swell makes conditions unsafe or visibility drops below 15m.",{"name":155,"description":156,"severity":112,"season_start":36,"season_end":132},"Offshore current (East Australian Current influence)","The meeting of northern and southern currents creates rips and variable currents around the island. Snorkelers must stay aware of drift.",{"name":158,"description":159,"severity":117,"season_start":36,"season_end":132},"Deep water snorkelling (5-20m depth)","There is no shallow standing bottom — snorkellers are over 5-20m depths at all sites. Competent swimming and snorkel skills are mandatory.",{"name":161,"description":162,"severity":117,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Marine stingers (seasonal jellyfish)","Box jellyfish and other marine stingers can be present in warmer months, typical for northern NSW coastal waters.",{"name":164,"description":165,"severity":117,"season_start":36,"season_end":132},"Boat traffic in marine park channels","Access is by boat only. Snorkelers share waters with dive charter and fishing vessels transiting sanctuary zones.",{"name":167,"description":168,"severity":112,"season_start":124,"season_end":125},"Ocean swell and choppy conditions","Surface conditions can become rough and choppy, especially outside the protected coves. Snorkel trips are frequently postponed due to unfavourable sea states.",{"name":170,"description":171,"severity":117,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Strong currents at convergence zone","The island sits where northern tropical currents meet southern temperate currents, creating unpredictable currents around the island's exposed sides.",{"name":173,"description":174,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Deep water snorkelling (5-20m)","Snorkelling sites are in depths of 5 to 20 metres with no shallow standing areas — snorkelers must be competent swimmers with no option to touch the bottom.",{"name":176,"description":177,"severity":117,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Swell and Wave Action","Even in the shelter of the islands there is always some wave action; surface conditions can become choppy or rough, requiring competent snorkelling skills.",{"name":179,"description":180,"severity":117,"season_start":124,"season_end":125},"Variable Water Visibility","Visibility must exceed 15m for safe enjoyable snorkelling; poor conditions frequently cause trip postponements or cancellations.",{"name":182,"description":183,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Depth Hazard","Snorkelling sites range from 5m to 20m depth with no shallow standing points — snorkelers must be confident swimmers as there is no bottom to touch.",{"name":185,"description":186,"severity":117,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Strong Currents","Where northern tropical currents meet southern temperate currents, rips and tidal flow can develop around the island channel.",{"name":188,"description":189,"severity":117,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Marine Stingers","Box jellyfish and other stingers may be present during warmer months in northern NSW waters.",{"name":191,"description":192,"severity":117,"season_start":124,"season_end":125},"Grey nurse sharks","Grey nurse sharks (protected species) are commonly sighted in the Shark Gutters area during winter, and year-round. Generally docile but require respectful distancing.",{"name":194,"description":195,"severity":117,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Boat traffic","Access is solely by boat\u002Fcharter. Mooring buoys are used but divers\u002Fsnorkellers must be aware of vessel movements during entry and exit.",{"name":197,"description":198,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"East Australian Current","The East Australian Current can create strong sweeping currents around the islands, especially at northern and eastern points, which can make swimming difficult for inexperienced snorkelers.",{"name":200,"description":201,"severity":117,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Swell and Sea Conditions","Exposed outer edges of the islands can experience ocean swells and choppy conditions. Snorkeling is best in the sheltered bays and coves on calm days.",{"name":203,"description":204,"severity":117,"season_start":124,"season_end":125},"Exposed Rocky Outcrop","Fish Soup is located at a group of wave-washed rocks (North West Rock) with no shelter, meaning surface conditions can be rough with surging swell.",{"name":206,"description":207,"severity":117,"season_start":36,"season_end":132},"Depth Variation","Depth ranges from 5 to 24 metres with sudden drop-offs and gutters, requiring good buoyancy control and awareness of depth limits.",{"name":209,"description":210,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Boat-only access","The site is offshore with no shore entry; requires boat transport and a mooring pickup. Challenging in rough seas.",{"name":212,"description":213,"severity":214,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Cave entrapment","The Bubble Cave has a single entrance and overhead environment; snorkelers entering the cave risk disorientation or becoming trapped inside the air pocket.","danger",{"name":216,"description":217,"severity":112,"season_start":124,"season_end":125},"Strong currents and surge","Exposed western side of the island can experience ocean swell, surge in gullies, and tidal currents that can push snorkelers away from the mooring.",{"directions":219,"parking":220,"facilities":221,"fees":228,"access_method":229},"Bubble Cave is located off North Solitary Island, approximately 45 km south-west of Coffs Harbour, NSW. Access is exclusively by boat via charter operators such as Wooli Dive Centre or Jetty Dive Centre, which run snorkel and dive tours from Coffs Harbour marina or Wooli. The site is within the Solitary Islands Marine Park, about a 35–45 minute boat ride offshore.","Parking is available at the Coffs Harbour marina precinct (paid parking) or at the Wooli boat ramp area (free street parking nearby).",[222,223,224,225,226,227],"parking","toilets","showers","drinking_water","picnic_tables","boat_ramp","Charter tour fees apply — approximately $120–$180 per person depending on group size and inclusions. There is no direct entry fee for the marine park.","snorkel_tour","2026-07-27T02:55:57.253201Z","2026-08-04T05:37:15.121082Z",{"verdict":233,"evaluated_at":234,"models":235},"go","2026-10-03T02:21:57.136169Z",[236,243,248],{"model_name":237,"is_favourable":238,"value":239,"threshold":240,"unit":241,"operator":242},"Wind Speed",true,1.65,10,"kn","lte",{"model_name":244,"is_favourable":238,"value":245,"threshold":246,"unit":247,"operator":242},"Wave Height",0.078,0.5,"m",{"model_name":249,"is_favourable":238,"value":250,"threshold":40,"unit":251,"operator":252},"Visibility",2.76,"","gte",{"verdict":233,"rating":254,"evaluated_at":234,"generated_at":234,"source":255,"confidence":256,"visibility":259,"parameters":260,"models_passed":273,"models_total":273},"Excellent","precomputed",{"level":257,"value":258},"High",100,{"score":250,"rating":113,"confidence":113},[261,263,267,270,275],{"name":244,"value":262,"label":113,"unit":247,"favourable":238,"score":43,"optimal_max":246,"marginal_max":36},0.07800000000000001,{"name":264,"value":265,"label":113,"unit":266,"favourable":238,"score":43,"optimal_max":125,"marginal_max":132},"Swell Period",6.75,"s",{"name":237,"value":268,"label":113,"unit":241,"favourable":238,"score":43,"optimal_max":240,"marginal_max":269},1.6503201600000001,15,{"name":271,"value":5,"label":113,"unit":272,"favourable":238,"score":43,"optimal_max":273,"marginal_max":274},"Precipitation","mm",5,20,{"name":276,"value":113,"label":277,"unit":251,"favourable":238,"score":43,"optimal_max":113,"marginal_max":113},"Tidal Phase","slack",[279,286,291,296],{"id":280,"image_url":13,"sort_order":5,"is_primary":238,"moderation_status":281,"license":282,"license_url":283,"attribution":284,"author_name":285},"3bd5dc04-674e-4199-812e-4571b1f05165","approved","CC BY 3.0","https:\u002F\u002Fcreativecommons.org\u002Flicenses\u002Fby\u002F3.0\u002F","Photo by JWarnes","JWarnes",{"id":287,"image_url":288,"sort_order":40,"is_primary":289,"moderation_status":281,"license":290,"license_url":113,"attribution":113,"author_name":113},"51e8c5ea-420b-455d-9218-0ad876eeea0f","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_north-solitary-island-bubble-cave_2_857950ff81b3.jpg",false,"Public domain",{"id":292,"image_url":293,"sort_order":43,"is_primary":289,"moderation_status":281,"license":294,"license_url":295,"attribution":113,"author_name":113},"aec7368c-e62f-4e08-98ee-0b637ef06452","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_north-solitary-island-bubble-cave_3_113d5ae650f4.jpg","CC BY-SA 4.0","https:\u002F\u002Fcreativecommons.org\u002Flicenses\u002Fby-sa\u002F4.0\u002F",{"id":297,"image_url":298,"sort_order":299,"is_primary":289,"moderation_status":281,"license":300,"license_url":301,"attribution":285,"author_name":302},"e8b1ca81-6df8-4f75-82ed-11235f078469","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_north-solitary-island-bubble-cave_4_23db1f7754d1.jpg",4,"CC BY-SA 3.0","https:\u002F\u002Fcreativecommons.org\u002Flicenses\u002Fby-sa\u002F3.0\u002F","Muhandes",{"display_name":304},"Daniel","unverified",1791009180524]