Reef Shark Encounter
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- Wildlife
$115 – $482
Spark Adventure: Swim, Feed, and Marvel at Irukandji’s Reef Sharks!
Looking for an unforgettable family adventure? The Reef Shark Encounter at Irukandji offers a thrilling experience where you can swim with and feed 3-metre Tawny Nurse Sharks and cheeky Whitetip Reef Sharks! Perfect for adventurous families with older kids, this unique encounter lets you get up close with these fascinating creatures in their natural lagoon habitat.
Equipped with a snorkel mask, you’ll stand at the edge of the reef, watching the sharks approach and even swim beneath you. You’ll also have the chance to feed them using a specialised feeding pole, creating the ultimate “Wow, I fed a shark!” moment. With just six spots per session, it’s an exclusive opportunity for families to bond over an exciting, safe, and educational wildlife experience.
The Reef Shark Encounter includes general admission to the aquarium, where you can explore more lagoons, pet rays and smaller sharks, and enjoy fascinating animal talks. Book your session today for an adventure your family will remember forever!
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Ideal For
Explore Further
– All ages are welcome from 0-100 years old, it fits everybody in their own special way
Ticket Includes:
Admission to the aquarium, entry into the lagoon shallows and both lagoon reefs in your wetsuit, shark food, interaction with the animals (petting/feeding), private access into Tropical Lagoon for 20 minutes during the encounter, interesting and informative animal talks and staff on hand for personalised attention. Wear & Keep Souvenir Socks, wetsuit, Book ahead to avoid disappointment as there is only 6 spots per session.
Location
FAQs
- Opening Hours: Open 9am-5pm every day of the year except Christmas Day.
- Accessibility: Friendly for wheelchair and pram users. Accessible bathrooms also available near the entrance.
- Family Facilities: Baby change table available in the accessible toilets. Kids playground available on-site.
- Car Parking: Plenty of free carparking available, located on Jessie Road, right near the Port Stephens Drive roundabout on Nelson Bay Road.
- What to Bring: Hats, REEF-FRIENDLY sunscreen, cameras (underwater cameras are great!), clothes (t-shirts & shorts or skirts that can stay dry in the shallows, Only bring swimwear or spare underwear for those choosing the wetsuit option and for all encounters and snorkels. Your own prescription mask set- note though we do allow it you will need to allow extra time before your experience for us to clean/soak your snorkel in solution to ensure it is free from any nasties.
- What NOT to bring: Swimwear or rashie/clothes to swim in without one of our in-house wetsuits over the top (fully clothed dry clothing or Irukandji wetsuits must be worn in the lagoons, swimwear alone is not permitted). Non-reef friendly sunscreen (There is some available for purchase on site if need be). Your own personal wetsuits or water/reef shoes as these could introduce toxins to our lagoons and we limit the items going in, especially neoprene which can harbour microscopic marine-life from the ocean. Decontamination & quarantine of these items is a lengthy overnight process we hope to avoid.
Guidelines, Cancellation, Terms
SPECIFICS
- Children 11 years and under cannot participate in this Encounter. This experience is strictly limited to participants 12 years and above.
- Swimming not required- snorkel mask provided for underwater viewing access during feeding.
- Encounter is at a set time (see your booking times and availability)
- Booking time is arrival time, to allow guests to check in and get into wetsuits prior to the experience starting.
- Encounter will take 20 minutes
- Shallows time is up to you – most guests take an average of 2 hours, but you may stay as long as you wish.
- Entry into the Lagoon shallows
- Shark food at various feeding locations during Shallows Encounter
- Interesting and informative animal talks
Terms & Conditions
https://sharkencounters.com.au/terms-conditions/ for general T&C of entry.
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$115 – $482
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