his Great White Shark Expedition and Course in Shark Biology in Australia is operated by Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions and will be hosted by Dott. Alessandro De Maddalena M.Sc. one of the world’s foremost shark experts.

This special 4 Day- 4 Night tour is hosted by Italy’s world-renowned shark researcher and educator Dr. Alessandro De Maddalena at the time of year when the giant female sharks are more likely to visit. This expedition is perfect for people who are looking for an intimate Great White Shark experience (and want to maximise their time at sea) and learn a lot about great whites. 

On this Expedition, we launch the world’s only Ocean Floor Cage (for qualified SCUBA Divers). However, all guests are able to get up-close and personal with Great Whites in our Surface Cage. It is an expedition for people who are very interested sharks and their behaviour, experienced divers, adventurers, shark photographers and anyone who, like us, has a passion for spending lots of time with these incredible creatures.

Alessandro also shares his immense knowledge of shark biology with a series of fabulous presentations throughout, and a fun time is had by all. 

What we love about this time of year:

- Extreme Shark Reliability

This time of the year has proved very high reliability!

- Big Girl Season 

This time period has enjoyed some of the largest sharks we’ve seen in the last 4 years.

- Typically A Mild Weather Month.  

This mid Autumn period tends to enjoy mild weather conditions, avoiding some of the sea breezes typical of Summer and yet less potential for any Winter-like storms. April also enjoys very reliable Australian Sea Lion diving weather.

- Typically Warmer Water 18-19 C

At the offshore Neptune Islands, the warmest water temperatures of the year occur during our Late Summer and Autumn months 

- 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 various reef, weed bank, and sandy bottom locations.

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 fur seal colonies with our tender boat. Conditions permitting, a walking tour is also a possible option up on the Neptune Islands, a treat exclusive to Rodney Fox Expeditions.

At night, we enjoy great local food and wine, and there will, of course, be the shark biology courses from Dott. Alessandro De Maddalena, 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 6.15 PM. We officially welcome all aboard at 6.30 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 day's activities.

Days 2, 3, 4 

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.  

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.  

Alessandro gives more presentations about sharks, and by now everyone has learned and experienced a whole lot of shark knowledge.

We also like to hop in the tender boat, check out the 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 live-aboard itinerary gives so many more opportunities to immerse your self in the beauty of the Neptune Islands, listening to the sounds of the seals with a chilled glass of white. There is plenty of time to chill out and rest. Hit the hay when you feel like it... and get up when you feel like it. 

By now your shark identification skills will be finely tuned. 

Leave the Neptune Islands by 3:00 pm and enjoy some lovely local South Australian ‘wine on the bow’ and a delightful charcuterie board will be served with a selection of preserved fine foods, cured meats, pates, dips as well as cheeses and crackers, fresh fruits and nuts - usually with common dolphins joining us for company. 

We arrive back in Port Lincoln by 8.00PM for guests to disembark. 

*Itinerary is indicative only (subject to weather and any other circumstances that may affect the scheduling of events).