Wolf Rock Dive Report - April 2026

Fiona Butler, Wolf Rock Dive Centre

The weather rarely makes things easy for diving at Wolf Rock - and that’s part of its appeal. On recent dives, despite swell surging across the site, and recent floodwater runoff having reduced visibility to a hazy blur in some points, beneath the chop, the ocean is very much alive.

Dropping down the mooring line, divers quickly found themselves surrounded by movement. Manta rays, emerging like shadows, gliding effortlessly against the surge. Despite the low visibility, their size and grace were unmistakable. 

They circle the site, occasionally passing close enough for divers to appreciate the intricate patterns on their undersides. For the underwater photographers on the dive, this is an opportunity to capture ‘belly shots’ - clear images of the ventral markings, each one unique, like a fingerprint. 

These photographs contribute to ongoing research through Project Manta, helping scientists identify individual rays, track their movements, and understand whether they’ve been encountered before.

We are lucky enough to have visiting Manta Rays on the dive site through to the late winter months, giving us the opportunity to contribute to Manta Ray conservation as well as documenting our Grey Nurse Shark behaviour, numbers and identification. 

Current sightings at Wolf Rock include around 40 female grey nurse sharks, eagle rays, leopard sharks and manta rays. Even in challenging conditions, the energy of the site and close encounters ensure the dive rarely disappoints.

Bookings available online though the website www.wolfrockdive.com.au

Project Manta recently posted on their Facebook page about an identification tag having washed up and been found and tracked in Rainbow Beach. 

Here is a photo of the tag below in case someone found it and didn’t know what it was. 

Please contact Project Manta if you know the location of the tag: www.facebook.com/ProjectMANTA or projectmanta@usc.edu.au