Dive Site: Fish Soup

About Fish Soup

Fish Soup is a renowned dive site located off North West Rock, approximately one kilometer north of North Solitary Island on the New South Wales North Coast of Australia. The site is aptly named for the incredible concentration of marine life, with fish schools so dense they often resemble a "soup." This area is part of the Solitary Islands Marine Park and benefits from the warm East Australian Current, which brings a mix of tropical and temperate species, making it one of NSW's most biodiverse dive locations. Access to this boat-only site is typically from Wooli or Woolgoolga. The underwater topography consists of a large rock formation and smaller surrounding rocks, split by a channel about 10 meters wide at the surface. Divers explore depths ranging from 8 meters on the upper structure to 25 meters on the surrounding sandy bottom, with most activity occurring between 15 and 22 meters. The reef features extensive hard and soft coral cover, including the southernmost tropical hard coral species, alongside bommies, gutters, and overhangs that provide shelter for diverse marine creatures. The standout feature of Fish Soup is its exceptional marine life. The site is famous for one of the highest concentrations of anemonefish on the Australian east coast, including resident pink anemonefish. Grey nurse sharks aggregate seasonally in deeper sections, and wobbegong sharks are commonly found under ledges. Schools of jewfish, kingfish, mackerel, and trevally, along with dense baitfish, swarm the structure. Eastern blue gropers, lionfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, parrotfish, octopus, cuttlefish, and moray eels are also abundant. Humpback whales pass during their migration from May to November. While currents can range from mild to moderate, necessitating good buoyancy control, the dive is generally considered suitable for Open Water certified divers due to its maximum depth of 18 meters on recreational profiles. The site requires relatively calm seas for optimal enjoyme

Dive site facts: Fish Soup

Depth

8–25 m

Typical dive

15–22 m, ~60 min

Current

Mild to moderate

Visibility

12–20 m (up to 30 m)

Water temperature

18–26°C

Entry

Boat

Level

Open Water Diver recommended

Dive type

Reef, big_animals, macro, fish_schools

Region / port

New South Wales, Australia

Coordinates

29° 54' 50" S, 153° 22' 55" E

Conditions & Currents

Currents at Fish Soup vary from mild to moderate, significantly shaping the aggregation patterns of marine life, but requiring divers to maintain good buoyancy and situational awareness. The eastern side of North West Rock almost always experiences a current, making normal diving difficult there due to the risk of being swept south. Diving conditions depend heavily on calm seas, especially when attempting to swim through the rock split from west to east. While specific tide dependencies are not detailed, strong East Australian Current (EAC) pushes can enhance visibility, potentially reaching up to 30 meters. Divers should be prepared for potential shifts in water flow and clarity, as these conditions can fluctuate. This dynamic environment means that proper planning for drift diving or current management is essential, and the site is best enjoyed by divers with some experience in moving

Marine life & sighting chances

Anemonefish

common

Pink anemonefish

common

Grey nurse sharks

May to November · occasional

Wobbegong sharks

common

Jewfish

common

Kingfish

common

Mackerel

occasional

Trevally

occasional

Eastern blue gropers

common

Lionfish

occasional

Butterflyfish

occasional

Angelfish

occasional

Parrotfish

occasional

Octopus

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Diving at Fish Soup typically begins with a drop to the bottom on the western side of North West Rock, where boats moor, at a depth of about 15 meters. From there, divers proceed due east, moving towards the channel that splits the rock formation. As you approach the channel, the depth gradually decreases to approximately 10 meters, passing over areas of hard coral. The route leads directly into the split, where depths can reach 8 meters over a sandy or broken shell bottom. The dive often involves exploring the large boulders and swim-throughs found within this split. While no specific turnaround point is mentioned, the dive aims to maximize time within the concentrated fish schools and unique rock structures. Safety stops are usually conducted as the dive concludes, likely near the mooring point or during ascent, depending on current conditions.

Underwater photography

Fish Soup is an exceptional location for wide-angle photography due to the immense schools of fish and abundant hard coral formations. A wide-angle lens is ideal for capturing the "soup" effect of dense baitfish and the overall topography, including the rock split and large boulders. For macro enthusiasts, the site offers plenty of opportunities for close-up shots of anemonefish, nudibranchs, and other small creatures among the vibrant sponge and coral growth; a macro lens would be beneficial here. External strobes are recommended to bring out the natural colors, especially in deeper sections or within overhangs. Buoyancy control is crucial, particularly when navigating the rock structures and variable currents, to avoid disturbing marine life or kicking up sediment. Divers should maintain awareness of their surroundings to capture the dynamic interactions of the schooling fish and ensure ethical photography practices, respecting the resident creatures.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Fish Soup is exclusively by charter boat, with departures primarily from the coastal towns of Wooli or Woolgoolga in New South Wales. These towns are approximately an 8-hour drive north of Sydney, serving as key embarkation points for diving the North Solitary Islands region. Divers flying in would typically arrive at Sydney Airport for southern/central regions or potentially Brisbane in Queensland for northern regions of NSW, then arrange ground transport. Trip lengths can vary, with day trips focusing on the Solitary Islands or liveaboards incorporating multiple sites in the area. There are no specific permits or fees mentioned beyond standard dive charter costs, though the site is within the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Fish Soup is often dived as a second dive due to its shallower profile compared to North Solitary Island.

Safety & environment

The nearest recompression chamber or advanced medical facilities are likely in larger regional centers, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive dive insurance for any offshore diving in this region. Evacuation from the North Solitary Islands area would typically involve boat transport back to the mainland, potentially followed by road or air ambulance, depending on the severity of the incident and weather conditions. Site-specific hazards include potentially strong and variable currents, especially on the eastern side of North West Rock, which requires good buoyancy control and situational awareness. Entry and exit may involve surge in certain conditions. Divers should be well-versed in current management techniques and always dive within their training and certification limits. It is advisable to dive with experienced local operators familiar with the specific conditions of Fish Soup.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Fish Soup FAQ

Liveaboards diving Fish Soup

These liveaboards may visit Fish Soup on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Spoilsport

Australia

28 guests30 m

$408/day

Odyssey Liveaboard

Australia

20 guests24 m

$392/day