Dive With Sharks: A Guide to Shark Diving

There is lots of great shark diving relatively near to Sydney, offering the perfect experience for thrill-seekers, adventure lovers, and those looking to create unforgettable memories.

Introduction to the Experience

Shark diving is an exhilarating experience that allows you to face your fears and tick something off your bucket list. With various locations around Australia, including Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland, NSW, and Victoria, you can enjoy shark diving in a controlled environment. Whether you’re a seasoned scuba diver or a beginner, shark diving offers a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with these amazing sea creatures. From the docile grey nurse sharks to the intriguing Port Jackson sharks and the formidable tiger sharks, each dive promises a thrilling encounter. Shark diving experiences come in different forms, including caged and uncaged dives, as well as aquarium experiences. So, take the plunge and experience the thrill of swimming with sharks in their natural habitat.

Shark Diving Sydney

Shark diving in NSW, particularly at the Magic Point shark dive site, offers an incredible opportunity to witness these magnificent creatures up close in their natural environment. This impressive dive site, located just off the coast of Sydney, is often referred to as a natural shark aquarium due to the abundant marine life that inhabits the area. Sea Life Sydney is also a popular location for shark diving.

At Magic Point, you can dive with the grey nurse shark, a species known for its docile nature and unique appearance. This shark species is a major attraction for divers seeking an unforgettable underwater adventure. In addition to grey nurse sharks, the sea life in Sydney and the surrounding areas are also home to the fascinating Port Jackson sharks. These smaller, bottom-dwelling sharks are known for their distinctive markings and intriguing behaviours. The Shark Dive Xtreme experience available at Sea Life Sydney offers an exhilarating opportunity to dive with sharks in a controlled environment.

The excellent dive sites at Magic Point and throughout NSW provide a unique opportunity to witness these incredible animals up close and gain a newfound appreciation for their role in the ocean ecosystem. By diving with sharks in Sydney, you will not only experience the thrill of encountering these majestic predators but also gain a deeper understanding of their importance in maintaining the delicate balance of marine life.

Great White Shark Cage Diving

Rodney Fox offers an amazing liveaboard great white shark safari in South Australia, which is a physically demanding activity. Great white shark cage diving can be dangerous and requires participants to be in good health. All trips depart from and return to Port Lincoln, just a 40-minute flight from Adelaide. The vessel has two cages; one cage is for surface cage diving, and the other is for ocean-floor shark cage diving so scuba divers can observe great whites face to face in a shark cage dive.  More Details…

Coral Sea Shark Attraction

The Coral Sea is renowned for its remote reefs with walls plunging thousands of meters, attracting exciting pelagic fish life. Mike Balls' Spoil Sport make the most of this natural abundance by offering opportunities for the diver and shark to be up close. You will get near enough to admire these amazing creatures while diving with sharks, from the glint of their silver sandpaper skin to the ampullae on their snouts, and be able to look right into their eyes, turning your dream to swim with sharks into reality!

Additionally, you will have the chance to encounter giant stingrays and large stingrays, adding to the thrill and diversity of marine life you can experience during the dive.

The major Mike Ball shark expeditions are the Fly Dive Coral Sea, Shark Shooter Expedition, Coral Sea Exploratory, and the Far North Coral Sea Exploratory.

Local Guided Shark Diving Trips

We run regular guided trips to both Nelson Bay and Fish Rock Cave, where you dive with grey nurse sharks. It is important to follow all safety protocols for your own safety.

Located less than three hours north of Sydney is Nelson Bay. The signature dive at Nelson Bay is Broughton Island, in particular, ‘Looking Glass ‘, which is a dive through a crack and arch in the rock, which you’ll share with the grey nurse. Before booking a dive, make sure to check all important information regarding safety protocols, age restrictions, and health requirements.

Located 250 Km north of Sydney, Forster boasts the biggest aggregation of grey nurse sharks on the East coast of Australia.

Located at South West Rocks, a five-hour drive north of Sydney, Fish Rock Cave is the only true ocean cave dive in Australia; running 125 metres right through Fish Rock,  Fish Rock is famous for its large shark dives. More Details

Bull Sharks in Fiji

On the fringes of Beqa Lagoon, Shark Reef Marine Reserve was created to study the resident shark population. Here you get the chance to mingle with multiple bull sharks (largest in the world), whitetip reef sharks, blacktip reef sharks, nurse sharks, lemon sharks, grey reef sharks, silvertip sharks and over 300 species of fish. Sea turtles are also commonly found in these waters, coexisting with the diverse marine life. 

Bull sharks, like many other shark species, use their acute senses to hunt their prey. They can detect electrical fields to locate fish and other marine creatures, showcasing their role as apex predators in the ecosystem.

Safety Protocols

Safety is the top priority when it comes to shark diving. Operators follow strict safety protocols to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants. This includes providing all necessary dive equipment, conducting thorough safety briefings, and having experienced guides and instructors on hand. Participants are required to fill out a medical declaration questionnaire and obtain medical clearance from a qualified dive doctor if they have certain medical conditions, such as asthma, heart disease, or epilepsy. Shark diving operators also have comprehensive emergency response plans in place to handle any incidents. By adhering to these safety protocols, participants can enjoy a safe and exhilarating shark diving experience, knowing that their well-being is in good hands.

Equipment and Gear

The right equipment and gear are essential for a safe and enjoyable shark diving experience. This includes scuba equipment such as masks, snorkels, fins, dive computers, and underwater cameras. Participants are also required to wear a wetsuit or dive skin to protect themselves from the elements. Shark diving operators provide all the necessary equipment and gear, ensuring that everything is in top condition and ready for use. Participants are instructed on how to use the equipment properly to maximise safety and enjoyment. Additionally, it’s important to bring personal items like swimwear, a towel, and a change of clothes. With the right equipment and gear, you can focus on the thrill of your shark diving adventure and make the most of this unforgettable experience.

Fun Facts About Sharks (Selachimorpha)

• Sharks have been around for over 400 million years.
• Sharks are found in all oceans of the world.
• There are over 500 species of sharks.
• The largest shark is the whale shark, which can grow up to 18m in length.
• The smallest shark is the dwarf lantern shark, which only grows to be about 20 cm long.
• Sharks are carnivores and typically eat fish, squid, and other marine animals.
• Some sharks can live to be over 100 years old.
• Sharks have a sense of smell that is 10,000 times more sensitive than a human's sense of smell.
• Sharks have rows of razor-sharp teeth that they use to tear their prey apart.
• Although sharks are often feared by humans, they are actually responsible for very few attacks on humans each year