In a season of spectacular sunsets, sunrises, whales, albatross, and rainbows this exciting 5-Day and 5-Night ocean adventure is perfect for people who are looking for a versatile winter date at a time when the largest mature great white sharks have traditionally been seen at the Neptune Islands. 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 in sharks and their behavior, experienced divers, adventurers, shark photographers, and anyone who, like us, has a passion for these incredible creatures.
It is also a trip held in the Southern Hemisphere's winter season where we might occasionally lose a day or two due to bad weather. As a result, the extended itinerary is perfect to allow for any days sitting out poorer weather by doing land-based activities or shore-based dives (eg. Cuttlefish or Leafy Sea Dragons road trips) or seeing other wildlife and local attractions. This itinerary also gives the very best chance of allowing the 3 best days of fairer offshore weather to be more productive at the Neptune Islands and all expedition members to be more comfortable on board. This versatility and the exciting alternative options allow us to price down the trip relative to tours at other times of the year.
SCUBA gear (except tanks, weights and fins) unless specified in the booking.
Day 1
We’ll meet you at the Marina Hotel, Port Lincoln at 7:45 PM and escort you to
our expedition vessel. Welcome aboard is from 8.00 PM. You’ll be shown to your cabins where you can unload before the formal introductions and safety induction talk.
Day 2
After leaving the marina early morning we'll pass through the stunning Thorny Passage and look to stop by at Hopkins Island for an hour or so (weather dependant you can snorkel or dive with Australian Sea Lions). Depart Hopkins and enjoy the crossing to the famous Neptune Islands Marine Park, where we'll anchor and test out our dive kit for shark diving. There is time to relax, unwind, talk about the day while feasting on the buffet, engage in the Great White Shark Research Talk, really interesting, with some fantastic photography), check out the amazing night-sky, retire to your cabin. Please note that no shark attractant is used on this day.
Alternatively, we travel to location and commence surface cage diving, or undertake shore excursions to see local wildlife and scenery.
Day 3
Divers are briefed, and the Surface Cage hits the water, ready for action. Our priority is for everyone to see the sharks in the surface cage before we descend deeper with our SCUBA diving guests in the ocean floor cage. We also like to hop in the tender boat, check out the New Zealand Fur Seals and go walking around the Neptune Islands. Here, there are many bird species to watch and the elusive Australian Sea Lions can also sometimes be spotted. More shark talks in the evening and then time for bed ready for the next days' big adventure.
Days 4 to 5
More time with the great whites viewing topside, in the surface cage, or down on the ocean floor, and by now your shark identification skills will be finely tuned. The evening brings more opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of the Neptune Islands, listening to the sounds of the seals with a chilled glass of white or a warming glass of red. There is plenty of time and space onboard to chill out and rest or join in on a presentation or movie in the saloon. Hit the hay when you feel like it.
Day 6 - Final Day,
On this last day, we'll focus on the Australian sea lions at either Hopkins or Langton Island and have the opportunity for a leafy sea dragon dive too. We arrive back in Port Lincoln by 8.00 PM for guests to disembark.
On any bad weather day of our tour, typically when the weather is poor at the Neptune Islands, we can offer various other land-based attractions in the area.
* Our Itinerary is indicative only (subject to weather and any other circumstances that may affect the scheduling of events).
Customers who wish to partake in Ocean Floor Cage SCUBA diving MUST hold at minimum an open water certification - certification card must be brought on board.
Itinerary is indicative only (subject to weather and any other circumstances that may affect the scheduling of events)
Prices are based per person, those who wish to book the master with another participant MUST book for two people.