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A scuba diver interacts with tropical fish in an underwater setting, showcasing marine diversity.
📷 sofiya walrus · Pexels

The Mackerel Run

3.6 — based on 19 community signals
4.3 12 especies 30 colaboradores

The Mackerel Run is a year-round dive site near North Solitary Island in Australia's protected Solitary Islands Marine Park, known for diverse marine life.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers chasing chasing pelagics.

🐢 MPA · Solitary Islands Marine Park updated 4 months ago
Dificultad
Intermedio
MPABoatOnlyPelagic hotspotYearRound

De un vistazo

Actividad
dive
Dificultad
intermediate
Mejores meses
Todo el año
Vida marina
Nudibranquio

Mapa

Este spot POIs Aeropuerto Spots cercanos
Mapa de ubicación de The Mackerel Run © Google · Datos del mapa © Google, colaboradores
Abrir en Google Maps

Condiciones hoy

Condiciones

Open-Meteo
Viento
4.1 kn
Olas
1.2 m
Agua
20.5°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: E (19%)
Now: W (279°)
Marea (7 días)
amplitud: 1.42m

Próxima: Alta a las 01:00 (+0.31m)

+0.9 m0 m-0.5 m
▲ 01:00 · +0.31m ▼ 07:00 · -0.05m ▲ 14:00 · +0.72m ▼ 21:00 · -0.04m
Sáb 19Dom 20Lun 21Mar 22Mié 23Jue 24Vie 25
UV7.2 · high Aire PM2.59 · good 05:40 17:40
Día Viento Olas UV Lluvia
09-19 10.7 1.28 7 0mm
09-20 19.9 1.12 7 0mm
09-21 28.1 1.16 7 0mm
09-22 27.6 1.8 5 0mm
09-23 15.8 1.62 5 0mm
09-24 12.7 1.4 5 3mm
09-25 14.2 1.44 7 5mm

About this spot

The Mackerel Run sits within the Solitary Islands Marine Park off New South Wales, a protected marine area that safeguards its reef systems and pelagic life. The site gets its name from the schools of mackerel that move through the waters, though the underwater landscape supports far more than one species. The reef here attracts a steady mix of reef fish, and the protection status means the ecosystem remains robust and well-managed. Visibility and conditions vary throughout the year, but the site is diveable in all seasons. The proximity to North Solitary Island Light marks the general location, though the actual dive site is offshore. Divers visit year-round, suggesting the site offers consistent access regardless of season. The marine park designation means strict environmental protocols are in place—no coral bleaching stress has been recorded here, a sign of a healthy reef system. With 12 documented species observations and community video documentation, the site has earned attention from local and visiting divers. The data points to a well-established site with regular activity and reporting. Planning a visit requires awareness that you're entering a marine protected area with its own rules. The Solitary Islands Marine Park maintains conservation standards, so familiarizing yourself with current park regulations before arrival is essential. Local dive operators familiar with the park can guide you through entry requirements and conditions on any given day.

📖 Guía: Buceo en Australia: 61 sitios desde arrecifes de coral hasta pecios en aguas frías

Mejores meses

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Vida marina

Nudibranquio

Tipos de buceo

ArrecifeBarcoPelágico

Esenciales del viaje

Todo lo que necesitas antes de hacer la maleta — checklist, sol, logística.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type I · 230V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Información de sostenibilidad
🌍 CO2 footprint MAD ↔ 17625km · ~4054kg · €73

Desde tu país de salida

Estados Unidos
Puntuación de origen: 53/100
  • Visado: e-Visa · 90 días máx.
  • Vuelo: 16h · directo
  • Jet-lag: 9h este · 6 días de recuperación

Preguntas frecuentes

Can you dive The Mackerel Run year-round?

Yes. The Mackerel Run is diveable in all seasons, though weather and swell conditions may vary throughout the year. Check local reports before heading out to confirm conditions on your chosen dates.

What marine life will I see?

The site is named for mackerel schools and hosts 12 documented species. Expect reef fish and pelagic life typical of the Solitary Islands region. The protected marine park status supports a healthy, diverse ecosystem.

What rules apply to diving here?

The Mackerel Run lies within Solitary Islands Marine Park, a protected area with conservation regulations. You must follow park guidelines before and during your dive. Confirm current rules with the marine park authority or a local operator.

How do I get there?

The site is accessed via boat from the New South Wales coast near North Solitary Island. You'll need to arrange a charter with a local dive operator familiar with the Solitary Islands Marine Park and its entry procedures.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Observaciones verificadas de especies marinas

50 registros · 36 especies · fuentes: OBIS, GBIF

Carcharodon carcharias

White Shark
Elasmobranchii · Lamnidae
OBIS
Última observación:
3 jun 2021
×1registros
Profundidad:
25 m

Carcharodon carcharias

White Shark
Elasmobranchii · Lamnidae
OBIS
Última observación:
28 ago 2020
×1registros
Profundidad:
29 m

Carcharodon carcharias

White Shark
Elasmobranchii · Lamnidae
OBIS
Última observación:
25 oct 2019
×3registros
Profundidad:
24–48 m

Carcharodon carcharias

White Shark
Elasmobranchii · Lamnidae
OBIS
Última observación:
15 oct 2018
×2registros
Profundidad:
31 m

Galeocerdo cuvier

Tiger Shark
Elasmobranchii · Galeocerdonidae
OBIS
Última observación:
6 ene 2018
×1registros
Profundidad:
0 m

Carcharodon carcharias

White Shark
Elasmobranchii · Lamnidae
OBIS
Última observación:
7 sept 2017
×2registros
Profundidad:
32 m

Ophiura flagellata

Ophiuroidea · Ophiuridae
OBIS
Última observación:
1 ene 2017
×1registros
Profundidad:
1226 m

Carcharhinus plumbeus

Sandbar Shark
Elasmobranchii · Carcharhinidae
OBIS
Última observación:
27 mar 2016
×1registros
Profundidad:
50 m

Carcharhinus plumbeus

Sandbar Shark
Elasmobranchii · Carcharhinidae
OBIS
Última observación:
21 jul 2015
×4registros
Profundidad:
11–43 m

Carcharhinus plumbeus

Sandbar Shark
Elasmobranchii · Carcharhinidae
OBIS
Última observación:
26 abr 2014
×1registros
Profundidad:
20 m

Platorchestia paraplatensis

Malacostraca · Talitridae
OBIS
Última observación:
16 mar 2004
×1registros

Flabelligeridae

Bristle-cage Worms
Polychaeta · Flabelligeridae
OBIS
Última observación:
22 feb 2003
×1registros

Datos: 187.991 observaciones de OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) y GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

EP. 14 - Spearfishing for Spanish Mackerel, Jobfish and other North West Australian Species

Ocean Timers
💬 2 top comments
  • Aweh...cool edit!

    @jasonheyne9293 · 👍 1
  • Awesome video!

    @fishhunter348 · 👍 0

FREEDIVING UAE | with a Spanish Mackerel (Fujairah)

DeepBlueSpirit2
💬 2 top comments
  • Hello, senior, your videos are really great. Can I use some of your footage to make a video? Hope to get your agreement! I will explain in the video description that the clips used are from you, so please rest assured. (Google Translate may not be grammatically accurate, please understand)

    @deepcold4884 · 👍 0
  • un pescasub tiene mucho de psicologo submarino

    @pejepeineFuerteventura · 👍 0

Solo Diving For Mackerel | Catch & Cook | Gear Run through

Dan Young
💬 3 top comments
  • Hey Mate good to meet you I really enjoy you video’s 💪🏻 they are full of cool dives and fishing trips. Catch cooks and camping ⛺️ keep doing what you’re doing loving it. If I could make one observation, I notice you don’t use the kill switch rope around your wrist when you’re up and on the plain. Trust me it can save your life when you loose your footing and fall off the boat while it’s on the p

    @falsebaytrips4394 · 👍 0
  • Get yourself a reflector to throw , the Mackies love coming in to investigate!!

    @kkct09 · 👍 1
  • Yeah brilliant mate ….

    @graemejackson3699 · 👍 1
wind peaks Oct-Sep-Apr, calmest Mar-Feb-Jun, dry Jan-Dec.

Clima mensual de 5 años

60 muestras
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
rango p25–p75 Mediana Viento (nudos) Aire (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: May (100/100) Worst: Mar (0/100) Now: Sep (44/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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Anemone Bay

Anemone Bay offers year-round diving in a protected marine park with healthy corals and diverse marine life near North Solitary Island.

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The Canyons Australia Buceo
🇦🇺 Australia

The Canyons

The Canyons dive site in Australia's Solitary Islands Marine Park offers year-round diving with excellent coral health and rich marine biodiversity.

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Bubble Cave Australia Buceo
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Bubble Cave

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Sugerir un operador

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