A special 5-day live-aboard expedition includes four days of peak great white shark diving, an Australian sea lion dive or two, plus other extras in this comprehensive expedition package.
What we love about this time of year:
- Extreme Shark Reliability
This Itinerary has enjoyed near 100% reliability of productive sharks in more than 10 years.
- Photographic Opportunities
Optimal photographic conditions of typically good visibility and strong daylight.
All the briefings and travel to our first dive location are covered on the first evening.
Four full days are dedicated to Great White Shark Diving at both the North and South Neptune Islands groups, at the various locations of reef, weed bank, and sand.
A full day is planned to target other South Australian underwater icons including Australian Sea Lions at Hopkins Island.
Also included is a beautiful tour around the pretty Neptune Island long-nosed fur seal colonies in our tender boat.
Conditions permitting, a walking tour is also a possible option on the Neptune Islands, a treat exclusive to Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions.
At night, we enjoy great local food and wine, a shark research talk, beautiful sunsets plus lots of time to relax onboard under the stars.
Day 1
We’ll meet you outside of the Marina Hotel, Port Lincoln at 8:15 PM and officially welcome all aboard at 8.30 pm. Formal inductions and safety talk will begin, followed by being shown to your cabins to unload your belongings. We then depart for the night’s anchorage at a location near our next days' activities.
Day 2
It’s worth getting up at day-break to see the spectacular scenery of the Thorny Passage and nearby Hopkins Island where we expect to have frolicking sea lions eager to meet us. For an hour or so in the morning there is an option to snorkel/dive with these adorable creatures in shallow sheltered waters.
Then, time and weather permitting we can either try another dive location, or then make haste to anchor down at the Neptune Islands, where we’ll be looking to spot a few dorsal fins.
Days 3 and 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.
At night you can download our pictures then 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, and can then retire to your cabin ready for the next days adventures.
We also like to hop in the tender boat, check out the Long Nosed 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 liveaboard itinerary gives so many more opportunities to immerse yourself in the beauty of the Neptune Islands, listening to the sounds of the seals with a chilled glass of white. There is plenty time to chill out and rest. Hit the hay when you feel like it... and get up when you feel like it.
Day 5
By now your shark identification skills will be finely tuned.
Leave the Neptune Islands late afternoon and enjoy some lovely local South Australian ‘wine on the bow’ usually with common dolphins joining us for company. Arrive back in Port Lincoln for the last night onboard.
Day 6
Guests disembark by 8.00AM.
*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 60 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, they are able to 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
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
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 free car storage in a secure shed in Port Lincoln. This is on a first come first serve basis. Other paid secure storage options are available 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.
• Either a) Complete a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) within 24hrs before boarding or b) not required if you were covid positive within past 12 weeks. Both a & b require either, a time-stamped photo or proof of being covid negative.
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.
Protect your vacation with trip insurance. Click here to get your personalized quote today!
Travel Insurance Quote – Get Cover in Minutes | Cover-More Australia (covermore.com.au).
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.
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