Cage Diving with Great White Sharks – Port Lincoln, Australia

Cage diving has always been on my bucket list. Great White Sharks are among the most majestic creatures on this planet and only circulate around five major locations in the world. When the opportunity to dive with them in Port Lincoln, Australia arose, it was impossible to pass on.

After our stay in the southern Australian city of Adelaide, we drove eight hours to a place called Port Lincoln. This is the only location in the entire country which offers cage diving experiences with the Great Whites. We booked a trip with a company called Calypso Star Charters, one of the only three companies which have licenses to interact with the Great Whites in Australia. The entire trip cost $400 USD for the day. 

The day began at 6am, where we set off on a 3 hour voyage to Neptune’s Island, home to over 48,000 sea lions – a perfect hunting ground for the famous Great Whites. Once we got to the island, the cage was released off the back of the boat and we suited up for the dive!Since the sharks are not allowed to be fed by law, the crew had to lead the sharks on with bait (tuna gills). There was also a funnel on the side of the cage where chum (fish guts) were put in to attract the sharks from miles away. 

There were air regulators built into the cage rig so we did not need to carry oxygen tanks while being submerged. The time finally came where we jumped in and waited for the sharks to show up. It was extremely intense and exciting at the same time! 

The sharks came from all angles, sometimes slamming their bodies into the cage and jumping topside to grab the bait. Here is one of my favorite shots of a Great White eating the bait.

Before the excursion, I had always thought of the Great White Sharks as ferocious apex predators. However, after seeing them interact with us firsthand, they seemed like very calm animals, and only aggressive when provoked. I can’t wait to dive with them again. It was one of the best experiences of my life!

Check out my Instagram for more photos and videos of the cage diving experience.