So, what can you expect when you go cage diving with great whites sharks?
First and foremost, you can expect an adrenaline rush like no other. Cage diving with great white sharks is an exhilarating and unforgettable experience that allows you to get up close and personal with one of the most iconic and misunderstood animals in the ocean.
Cage Diving with Sharks in Australia
There are a few places in the world where one can dive with sharks. However, there is only one or two places in the world that get you up close and personal with the iconic Great White.The small town of Port Lincoln in South Australia is the number one spot for getting up close and personal with the oceans biggest predator.
There are two major Shark Diving charters in Port Lincoln, Calypso Star Charters and Rodney Fox Expeditions.
Calypso Star Charters is a family-owned and operated business that offers cage diving and surface viewing of great white sharks.
Rodney Fox Expeditions is a company that was founded by Rodney Fox, who is a well-known shark expert and conservationist. They offer a range of shark diving experiences, including cage diving, snorkeling, and surface viewing of great white sharks.
The two main difference between the two charters is the duration & types of shark viewing. Calypso offers a one full day trip whereas Rodney Fox emphasizes multi-day expeditions.
We had limited time in Australia and decided to book with Calypso Star Charters on their full day tour. We highly recommend this option and loved every second of it!
I recommend that you book as soon as you know your travel dates. The tours can book out months in advance!
Note: Calypso Star is also fully government licensed and holds an Advanced Eco Certification. They are the largest and only employers of Eco Certified Guides in the Shark Cage Diving industry in Australia.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO CAGE DIVING WITH SHARKS
The cost of the trip was $561 AUD (equivalent to around $378 USD). This cost included all meals & diving equipment. You do not need previous diving experience to get in the cage! They provide a regulator that you will use to breathe in the cage as well as your mask & wetsuit.
In regards to food, they do provide lunch onboard. However, if you have dietary restrictions I would recommend to bring your own sandwiches and snacks. There is a Woolworths grocery store in town where you can easily pick something up.
In addition, there is a professional photographer on board that takes photos throughout the day. However, plan to purchase them at the end of the day. It was our honeymoon and the photos are only around $30, so we thought it was worth it for the some stunning photos that we couldn’t capture on our iPhones / GoPros.
Items not included but that you should plan to bring:
- Dramamine & Ginger tablets – even if you aren’t prone to seasickness it can get pretty rough. Make sure you take it before you get on the boat its preventive!!
- Sunscreen – the Australia sun is no joke and some folks got pretty burned when we were there even though it was winter.
- GoPros – your diving in a cage with sharks & its likely not something you’re never going to do again. If you don’t want to purchase one, they do have a couple for rent on the boat, but I recommend to bring your own or borrow a friends!
Getting to Port Lincoln
Because it is such a small city, there are a limited number of ways to get to Port Lincoln. The charters always recommend that you arrive 24 hours before the tour leaves because they do not refund no-shows. So plan to arrive a day earlier than your planned excursion. You can check out my blog post on how we spent our 24 hours there.
We flew from Carins to Adelaide and then Adelaide to Port Lincoln. I recommend flying as the best option if you have limited time. The other option is to travel by car.
Port Lincoln is located about 800 kilometers (500 miles) west of Adelaide, and it takes around 8 hours to drive there. The journey can be done in a single day, but you could also break it up and stay in a town along the way. The drive is scenic, taking you through the rolling hills of the Yorke Peninsula and the Flinders Ranges.
Staying in Port Lincoln
There are limited places to stay in Port Lincoln and similar to the tours, they book up really quickly. We stayed at the Marina Hotel, while not the most luxurious it did the trick for a couple days. It has a connecting restaurant on the water and was walking distance to the dock for Calypso which came in handy.
The other option we looked into was the Port Lincoln hotel, this one you will need to organize a pick up with Calypso but is closer to downtown so a nice option if you want to walk around to visit cafes and shops.
Overall, cage diving with great white sharks in Port Lincoln is a thrilling and unique adventure that offers the opportunity to learn more about the natural beauty of Australia and gain a deeper appreciation for the wonders of the ocean. Whether you are a seasoned diver or a first-timer, this is an experience that you will never forget!
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