Solitary Islands Marine Park

Solitary Islands Marine Park is a place where the warm waters of the East Australian Current meet cooler waters from the south. They bring together tropical, subtropical and temperate marine life.

Many species mingling here are at the northern or southern limit of their range.

The marine park includes Pimpernel Rock, a submerged pinnacle rising to within a few metres of the surface.

Critically endangered grey nurse sharks gather here, making it a popular dive spot.

The Yaegl people are the Traditional Owners of the land and sea in the northern Solitary Islands. The Githabul / Gumbaynggirr people are the Traditional Owners of the land and sea in the central and southern Solitary Islands.

The marine park is offshore from northern New South Wales. It covers 152 square kilometres, with depths from 15 metres to 70 metres.

It has National Park, Multiple Use and Special Purpose zones.

Explore

Solitary Islands Marine Park adjoins the New South Wales park of the same name. There are plenty of opportunities for diving, snorkelling and nature watching in both.

Catch a glimpse of a rare grey nurse shark at Pimpernel Rock on a dive tour from Coffs Harbour or Wooli, or join a whale-watching tour or fishing charter.

Find out more from the NSW Solitary Islands Marine Park website.

Discover

Parks Australia has been collaborating with researchers from the New South Wales Government and universities to better understand the habitats and communities within the park for over 20 years.

Find out more about its natural values, both subtidal reef and soft sediment habitats and communities  in the Solitary Islands MP mapping final report.

Publications

To access peer-reviewed scientific articles and publications about our marine parks, visit Scientific publications.

Select the park area on the map below to see what you can do in the Solitary Islands Marine Park.