Great White Shark Cage Diving Trip

On this trip expect an action packed few days experience while you experience the awe and power of these majestic animals.

Details: Ex. port Lincoln

• 4 nights on a live-aboard*
• 3 days at sea, Great White Shark cage diving
• Use of both surface and bottom cages
• All SCUBA Tanks, backpacks and weight belts
• all meals with complimentary Australian wine, beer & soft drink on board
• A T shirt with “I cage dived with the great white sharks”
• group transfers

Evening prior to departure: We suggest that you board the boat the night prior to departure, allowing for an early departure in the morning. This extra night is complementary and allows you to settle in before you set sail in search for the Great White Sharks. This night we will grab a bite to eat at the marina giving you a chance to meet the other guests and crew for the trip.

Departure Day: The boat departs at 5.30am. Passing through the sheltered waters and islands of the Western Spencer Gulf Here, weather depending, you will have the chance of stopping off at secluded Hopkins Island to snorkel with and photograph the rare and beautiful Australian Sea lion and perhaps collect some abalone and crayfish clear blue waters of Southern Ocean. At Lunch time we will be anchored at the Neptune Islands, home of the great white shark!

On location: Once on location we’ll start chumming and keep watch for Great White Sharks. You’ll have access to the surface and bottom cages, where you can watch for approaching Great White Sharks. There will be plenty of time to relax, get involved in the Great White Shark research programs, or just enjoy the shark action topside. After dinner the nights are free to stargaze, view the day’s video and pictures, and story telling of the ones that got away. You will stay on location during the day, and usually only move during the night to give us maximum productivity.

Surface cage diving access is unlimited and available whenever conditions allow. Submersible cage dives to the ocean floor are also available to the certified divers. We also look for any opportunities to go ashore the islands and explore the wonderful seal and bird colonies, and fishing equipment is always readily available.

Last Day Arrival back in Port Lincoln: After a full day on location we depart around 5pm, arriving back at Port Lincoln around 10pm. Other accommodation is available however I suggest you stay onboard and depart before 8am the following day. That morning you will be treated to a 4 hour tour around the Port Lincoln area.

THE BOAT: Cabins are fitted with a double and a single bed and operate on a twin share basis with en-suite and are air-conditioned. Meals are provided and are served in large saloon with a bar. We can cater for people with special dietary needs such as vegetarians and beer and wine is complementary with meals. It is BYO Spirits.

Photographers wanting that perfect Great White Shark shot, there are deck tables and a dry camera table for your set up needs, as well as a dedicated large rinse tank. After the dive you can have a warm shower on the deck and relax on the large upper sundeck with lazy boys or relax in the spacious lounge room like saloon. If you want to escape for a bit you can head over to the island in one of the large tender boat to explore the wildlife and scenery.

Not only will there be cage diving in surface floating cages for both certified and non-certified divers we can also offer a unique facilities to lower certified divers safely down to the ocean floor in our special submersible shark cage. This provides undeniably the best Great White Shark observation experience possible. This also gives photographers and cameramen the opportunity to capture the most spectacular and unique Great White Shark images available anywhere in the world!

Travel Insurance is strongly recommended for all travel. It will cover you baggage, cancellations due to health reasons etc. Please contact us if you would like us to arrange this for you.

Warm clothing :Out on the Southern Ocean we can experience highly variable daily temperatures. These range from daily maximums of about 20-30C (70-90F) in our summer, down to about 12-20C (55-70F) on our peak winter dates.

It is also possible to experience cooler weather during our summer period, especially stargazing up on the upper deck at nights. It is therefore advised to bring a light jacket and/or sweater on all dates, a light wind proof jacket is great. Any comfortable shoes can be worn onboard the deck of Princess.

Personal Dive gear: All passengers wanting to cage dive need to either bring along their own equipment or hire their equipment onboard. This includes wetsuit, including sturdy dive boots, hood and gloves.

Certified SCUBA divers can partake in our special submersible bottom cage dives to the ocean floor. Should you wish to take advantage of this, you will need to bring or hire a SCUBA regulator for the trip.

Non-certified SCUBA divers can dive in the floating surface cages, and do not need to hire a regulator, as here we use surface air supply hookah lines.

All SCUBA Tanks, backpacks and weight belts are provided complimentary onboard to all divers. We do not require fins, snorkels or BCD's for cage diving. To save on hassles traveling with extra baggage, we do recommend that passengers simply hire their wetsuits (and regulators if certified) onboard. This service is offered through the Adelaide Dive Centre at a special rate of just $20/day for a wetsuit with all accessories (hood, gloves, boots, mask). Regulators are also $20/day.

The SCUBA hire rate for the whole trip is calculated on the duration of the trip,  and not on how much use of the hire gear during the trip. The hire items are all provided onboard to us clean and serviced, and most convenient of all, there is no requirement to then wash and dry them on your departure.

Below is on board charges: SCUBA tanks ,SCUBA back pack harnesses, and weight belts are complimentary onboard. Hire Rates are calculated on the length of the tour, regardless of the diving activity.
Snorkels, BCD and fins are not required for cage diving.

Wetsuit HIRE AUD$20/Day (inc. hood, dive boots and gloves) These 7mm plush-lined warm wetsuits come supplied with Hood, Boots and gloves.

Regulator HIRE: AUD$20/Day. Regulators are only required for certified divers taking the submersible bottom dives. Non certified divers can use a complimentary surface "hookah airline with no regulator hire required.

Wetsuit and all accessories and Regulator Package is priced @$40/day

• 4-Day tour AUD$160

We prefer prior notice to be given for all wetsuits required.

Alcoholic Drinks: Alcoholic spirits are not provided. If you need a glass of rum or a special evening cocktail, we can grab it before you board.

Snacks : Snacks are provided complimentary, including crisps, chocolate, nuts, cheese and popcorn at “movie time”. Bringing extras is always a great idea especially for bribes and special favors :o)

Miscellaneous

• Diver Certification/C-card for certified divers intending diving in our submersible cages.
• Credit cards or cash for any onboard purchases
• Sunglasses that specifically have polarised lenses. These are a real advantage for spotting sharks approaching under the surface glare on the water. This advantage also applies for polarized filters on topside camera lenses.
• Film and batteries. We have some film on board for sale, and some common batteries, however you might like to carry a spare battery for your specific camera.
• Sunscreen, hats. Bulk sunscreen is complimentary, and caps are available for sale onboard, however personal lip balm is a good idea to carry!
• Personal Medical and toiletry needs necessary for the duration of the voyage including seasick tablets for sensitive people. Some supplies are available onboard.
   

Satellite Phone: Standard digital, and even CDMA mobile phones are often out of range out at the Neptune Islands. In good weather CDMA is occasionally possible when standing on the top deck facing north, and SMS messages with a CDMA phone seem to get out most times, but are not reliable.  Satellite phone service is therefore available to passengers and is payable directly after use. The ship keeps contact with its Adelaide based office daily, so messages can also be passed on this way.