Great white shark cage diving in Port Lincoln

Day trip or expedition?

• Day tripCalypso Star Charters, MV Calypso Star II. A long day: about 3 hours each way, with the rest at the Neptune Islands. The crew uses natural fish berley, under permit, to bring the sharks close to the boat and cage.
• Liveaboard expeditionsRodney Fox Shark Expeditions runs the only liveaboard at the Neptune Islands, on the MV Rodney Fox. You get more time with the sharks, the ocean floor cage for certified scuba divers, sea lion snorkelling, fur seal trips in the tender, walks on the islands and evening shark research talks.
• Surface cage or ocean floor cageAnyone can go in the surface cage; no diving experience is needed. The ocean floor cage, on the expeditions, is for certified scuba divers only.

Sharks are wild and come and go as they please, so sightings can’t be guaranteed. Each operator’s terms set out what happens if no sharks are seen: see the terms and conditions.

Where you start

The day trip’s return time depends on the weather and the sharks. Stay two nights in Port Lincoln (the night before and the night of the trip) so you don’t miss a flight.

• Day tripCheck in at 6:00 am at the operator’s office in Port Lincoln. The address is on your booking voucher.
• ExpeditionsThe crew meets you at the Marina Hotel, Port Lincoln, and walks you to the boat: 11:15 am for the 3-day, 2-night and 4-day, 3-night trips; 7:45 pm the evening before for the others.

What’s included

• Day tripBreakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, tea, coffee and filtered water. 7 mm wetsuit, hood, boots, gloves and mask. The marine park visitor use fee, paid when you book.
• Expeditions: accommodation and mealsYour cabin and all meals as per the itinerary, plus snacks
• Expeditions: towelsFor personal use and diving
• Expeditions: dive equipmentScuba tanks, weights and fins. For the surface cage: fins, weight belt and regulator. Bring your own mask.

Not included

• Day trip: soft drinks and bottled waterFor sale on board, with a licensed bar on the way home. The boat is cashless: card only.
• Day trip: transfersFrom Port Lincoln accommodation, at extra cost. Book before 5:30 pm the day before.
• Day trip: camera hireGoPros for hire on board, and a highlights package for sale
• Expeditions: other scuba gearEverything except tanks, weights and fins, unless it’s part of your booking
• Expeditions: alcoholShip’s bar only. Don’t bring your own.
• Expeditions: wetsuit hireWetsuits aren’t included. A 7 mm wetsuit is for hire, from AUD $80.
• Expeditions: Neptune Islands park feesNeptune Islands Government Park entry fees, from AUD $180, are extra and payable separately.

Day trip

1. Check in6:00 am

   Transfers from Port Lincoln accommodation if you’ve booked one.

2. The journeyAbout 3 hours

   Through lower Spencer Gulf and the islands of Thorny Passage, often with dolphins and, in season, whales. Seasickness medication is strongly recommended.

3. The cageAt the Neptune Islands

   Groups of up to 8 take turns in the cage. Time in the cage varies with shark activity; there’s plenty to see from the deck while you wait.

4. ReturnAbout 6 pm – 9 pm

   The crew stays longer if it gives everyone a chance to see sharks.

A typical expedition

1. Day 1Board

   Cabins, introductions and a safety talk, then the trip out through Thorny Passage.

2. On the wayHopkins Island

   Usually an hour or so snorkelling with Australian sea lions, weather permitting.

3. Shark daysNeptune Islands

   Surface cage for everyone, then the ocean floor cage for certified scuba divers. No time limit in the cages, as long as everyone gets a fair share. Tender trips to the fur seal colonies and island walks.

4. EveningsOn board

   Buffet dinners, shark research talks and time to relax.

5. Last dayReturn

   Leave the Neptune Islands by 3:00 pm, back in Port Lincoln by about 8:00 pm.

Itineraries are indicative and depend on the weather.