Duration:
Operated By:
This 4-Nights/5 Day Tour is perfect for people who are looking for an intimate Great White Shark experience and learn a lot about great whites.
On this Expedition, we launch the world’s only Ocean Floor Cage (for qualified SCUBA Divers). However, all guests are able to get up-close and personal with Great Whites in our Surface Cage. It is an expedition for people who are very interested sharks and their behaviour, experienced divers, adventurers, shark photographers and anyone who, like us, has a passion for spending lots of time with these incredible creatures.
Briefings and travel to our first dive location are covered on the first evening prior to Dive Day One .
Up to Four days are dedicated to Great White Shark Diving at both the North and South Neptune Islands groups, at the various reef, weed bank and sandy bottom locations.
A part of one dive-day ( usually first morning or last evening) is planned to target another South Australian underwater icon, the Australian Sea Lions at Hopkins Island.
Also included is a beautiful tour around the pretty Neptune Island fur seal colonies with our tender boat. Conditions permitting, a walking tour is also a possible option up on the Neptune Islands, a treat exclusive to Rodney Fox Expeditions.
At night, we enjoy great local food and wine, and usually a fun quiz night or a shark research talk.
First Day
We’ll meet you outside of the Marina Hotel, Port Lincoln at 10.00 AM. We take you back to our expedition vessel and officially welcome all aboard. Formal inductions and safety talk will begin, followed by being shown to your cabins to unload your belongings. A light lunch is provided and then we depart for the day with anchorage at a location near our next day’s activities, either for the Australian Sea lion Swim at Hopkins Island or all the way down to the Neptune Islands, home of the great white shark. .We expect to have frolicking sea lions eager to meet us. For an hour or so where there is an option to snorkel/dive with these adorable creatures in shallow sheltered waters, where we’ll be looking to spot a few dorsal fins.
DIVE Days 2,3,4
Divers are briefed, and the cages hit the water, ready for action! Our priority is generally for everyone to see the sharks in the surface cage before we descend deeper with our SCUBA certified diving guests in the ocean floor cage.
We also like to hop in the tender boat, check out the Fur Seals and go walking around the Neptune Islands. Here, there are many birds and a few reptile species to watch and the elusive Australian Sea Lions can also sometimes be spotted.
Our live-aboard itinerary gives so many more opportunities to immerse your self in the beauty of the Neptune Islands, listening to the sounds of the seals with a chilled glass of white, a refreshing beer, or try a local variety of red wine. There is plenty of time to chill out and rest. Hit the hay when you feel like it… and get up when you feel like it.
Day 5 ( Last Day)
By now your shark identification skills will be finely tuned, more diving before we have to pack up!
Leave the Neptune Islands around 2:00 PM and enjoy some lovely local South Australian ‘wine on the bow’ usually with common dolphins joining us for company. Charcuterie Board with local produce is provided on the way back into Port.
We arrive back in Port Lincoln before 8.00 PM for guests to disembark.
*Itinerary is indicative only (subject to weather and any other circumstances that may affect the scheduling of events).
Our crew will meet you outside of the Marina Hotel, 13 Jubilee Drive Port Lincoln and transfer you and your luggage to the MV Rodney. This is a convenient, but not official meeting space. Please save all of your sharky questions for the Rodney Fox Crew. Luggage cannot be dropped off at the boat earlier than boarding time or be stored at the Marina Hotel.
If you are arriving to Port Lincoln earlier, drop into the Port Lincoln Information Centre at 7 Tasman Terrace. They can provide you with information on things to do in Port Lincoln.
Regional Express and QANTASlink offer a short 40 minute flight from Adelaide to Port Lincoln.
For great price and service, we recommend booking the ‘Shark Shuttle’ – This is an Airport Shuttle Service based in Port Lincoln. Contact Debbie on 0428 830 608 to book in advance. If arriving early, Deb can store your luggage.
Local taxis are Port Lincoln City Cabs (08 8682 1222) and can be organised direct or by flight crew. There are no taxis waiting at Port Lincoln Airport.
Summary of Activities on Board:
Swim with the Australian Sea lions at Hopkins Island
Surface cage diving
Ocean Floor Diving (certified divers only)
Great White Shark Research and Biology talk
Quiz and games nights (group wish dependent)
Evening shore party along a remote coastline
Potential viewing of the long-nosed fur seals
Please Note: all activities are weather dependent and could be subject to change.
What to Bring Checklist:
Warm clothing – Fox Expedition clothing available for purchase on board
Mask and Snorkel
Please bring on board a Hawaiian t shirt for our quiz/party night
Comfortable flat shoes
Dive certification card (divers must show qualification to participate in the ocean floor cage dive)
Camera
Sunglasses – polarized recommended
Batteries – for your camera
Sunscreen
Personal medical and toiletries
Seasickness tablets (available to Purchase onboard)
What not to Bring:
Towels for personal use and diving.
Please do not bring any alcoholic beverages onboard as we have a ‘Ship’s Bar Only’ policy.
Scuba tanks, fins or weight belts.
Drones:
Please note that drones are not permitted to be flown at the Neptune Islands, Hopkins Island or any other location where there are marine mammals or raptors. Permission for this must be sought from the Department of Environment.
Car Storage:
We have limited paid car storage in a secure shed in Port Lincoln.
Accommodation:
For accommodation, we recommend staying at the Marina Hotel, Port Lincoln. Check out https://www.visitportlincolnaccommodation.net.au/
Visit Port Lincoln, Eyre Peninsula South Australia – Home
Whether you are looking for a romantic weekend away, family friendly holiday, overnight or extended stay or perhaps something in between you have come to the right place. Browse through our accommodation site and book instantly online or call us for assistance in helping you find something to suit all your needs.
www.visitportlincolnaccommodation.net.au
to have a look at the accommodation available.
No Fly Time:
Qualified Scuba divers should consider their no-fly time’ restrictions for the ocean floor cage. PADI recommend an 18 hour ‘no fly time’ for those who partake in the ocean floor diving. So please, plan your flights the next day accordingly.
Travel Insurance:
As a part of this tour, no Rodney Fox Crew members will accept any liability for any injury, sickness, loss or damage however caused. This includes the costs that are associated with the changes or cancellation of travel arrangements. Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions highly recommend that all travellers research travel insurance options to ensure they are suitably covered for this expedition. Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions will not be responsible for any delays that may cause loss of travel arrangements.
Contact Details:
+61 (0) 8 8363 1788
Expeditions@rodneyfox.com.au
Additional Information:
All activities are weather-dependent, subject to change.
Payment can be made onboard with cash or credit card (no AMEX) for incidentals, merchandise, dive gear, and camera hire etc.
