The Rodney Fox Team is a world-renowned and long-established liveaboard operation offering unforgettable cage diving experiences with great white sharks in South Australia. With decades of expertise, you’re in the safest and most experienced hands for this thrilling adventure of a lifetime.
Choose from 2-5 night liveaboard cruises, each packed with exhilarating shark encounters and marine wildlife experiences. For those new to diving, surface cage diving requires no certification, making it accessible to everyone. Certified divers can take the adventure deeper with the submersible cage, lowered to the ocean floor for up-close, heart-pounding encounters with great whites.
Every itinerary includes the chance to swim with playful sea lions, adding a magical and interactive element to your trip. If you join us during winter (May-July), you’ll witness the rare Australian giant cuttlefish mating aggregation - a natural phenomenon found only in South Australia. These expeditions also feature great white sharks, sea lions, and stunning leafy and weedy sea dragons.
The 32-metre monohull Rodney Fox liveaboard vessel combines comfort and excitement, accommodating up to 18 guests. Most cabins are located on the upper deck with shared bathrooms, while the spacious Master Cabin offers a private ensuite for added luxury. All cabins include in-room entertainment with TVs and DVD players.
After each day of adventure, relax in our air-conditioned lounge and bar, where meals are served, or unwind on the sundeck while watching the hark action unfold. The Rodney Fox team takes pride in small group sizes, ensuring personalised attention and unforgettable moments.
As pioneers in shark diving, Rodney Fox offers unmatched safety and expertise. The exclusive submersible cage sets them apart, allowing divers to experience great whites from the ocean floor. With diverse marine life, expert guides, and convenient access from Port Lincoln (just a 40-minute flight from Adelaide), the Rodney Fox liveaboard delivers the ultimate shark diving adventure.
There are 9 cabins - 6 twin/double bed cabins (double bed and single bunk) and 1 Master double bed cabin on the upper deck, and 2 lower deck twin bunk cabins. The Master cabin has a private ensuite bathroom; the other cabins share other bathrooms - 4 on the main deck and 1 on the upper deck.
All the cabins have:
- Air conditioning
- Portholes lower deck/windows upper deck
- Private bathroom with toilet and hot water shower (Master cabin only)
- TV/ DVD player
- Bathrooms have hand basin, towels, toiletries
- Reading lights
- Cabinet/storage drawers and mirror
- Mains outlet 110 volts (US standard) - 24 hours per day
No. of bathrooms / showers - 6 / 5 - hot water
Neptune Islands, Great White Sharks (Expanded)
Trip highlights: great white sharks, seals/sea lions, onboard experts on great white sharks
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, off the beaten track
Dive sites and activities: Hopkins Island (seal swim), Neptune Islands (shark viewing and diving including ocean floor cage diving). Other prices are available for those who only wish to participate in surface cage diving or to watch, no dive certification needed (not ocean floor cage diving). Giant cuttlefish spawning, leafy seadragons in season.
Day 1
Begin your liveaboard adventure in the Neptune Islands by boarding the Rodney Fox in Port Lincoln. After the welcome briefing, the boat cruises through the scenic Thorny Passage. The first stop is Hopkins Island, where you’ll enjoy a snorkel with the region’s iconic Australian sea lions. From there, the liveaboard continues to the Neptune Islands Marine Park, one of the best destinations in the world for great white shark encounters. Then you can enjoy a peaceful dinner before retiring to your cabin.
Core Days
These days are fully devoted to diving with great white sharks in the Neptune Islands, a location renowned for its consistent shark activity and crystal-clear waters. Guests have the rare opportunity to observe these apex predators in their natural environment, with 2 unique cage diving options available:
Surface Cage Diving: From the boat’s dive platform, you can step directly into a secure surface cage to see the sharks gliding past at eye level. This experience offers thrilling close-up encounters and is perfect for both certified divers and non-divers.
Ocean Floor Cage Diving: For those who are dive certified, the Rodney Fox liveaboard is the only operator in the world offering ocean floor cage diving at depths of around 18 metres . From this vantage point, you can watch great whites cruising in the deep blue, often circling in a more natural, calm manner, while other marine life, such as rays and reef fish, pass by.
Each cage dive presents a different perspective of the sharks’ behaviour, whether it’s powerful passes, curious investigations of the cage, or displays of dominance.
Out of the water, you can enjoy the wild seascapes of the Neptune Islands, with their rugged cliffs, seabirds, and colonies of long-nosed fur seals, often the very reason sharks are drawn to this area. Exceptional photographic opportunities abound both above and below the surface, making these days the centerpiece of the adventure.
Final Day
After an early breakfast, spend the morning with final dives or shark viewing. Before the liveaboard departs Neptune Islands, you will enjoy a delicious lunch, and you will arrive back at Port Lincoln for disembarkation.
Neptune Islands, Great White Sharks (Express)
Trip highlights: great white sharks, seals/sea lions, onboard experts on great white sharks
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, off the beaten track
Dive sites and activities: Hopkins Island (seal swim), Neptune Islands (shark viewing and diving including ocean floor cage diving). Other prices are available for those who only wish to participate in surface cage diving or to watch, no dive certification needed (not ocean floor cage diving). Giant cuttlefish spawning, leafy seadragons in season.
Day 1
You will meet at the Marina Hotel, Port Lincoln at 8:15 pm and board the Rodney Fox at 8:30 pm. There will be a boat and safety briefing, including an introduction to all the crew and of course a fascinating talk about the sharks. Dinner will be served as you depart for the night’s anchorage at a location near the next days' activities.
Core Days
Enjoy the scenery while the Rodney Fox through Thorny Passage and then stops at the Hopkins Islands where you will have a chance to snorkel/dive with sea lions, or simply take some nice pictures of seals and dolphins from the boat. There is a continental breakfast and, once anchored at the Neptune Islands, the shark cage is deployed in the water while divers listen to the dive briefing. This is what you are here for: a close encounter with the most famous and yet most unknown underwater creature, the great white shark. Your first time in the cage might be overwhelming but there are further in-cage opportunities in the afternoon to shoot more pictures of these hunting creatures, after lunch. The day is not over yet: after a buffet dinner you can learn more about these incredible predators with a research presentation in the evening.
One full day is dedicated to finding icon species and island walking. These include the Giant Australian Cuttlefish spawning (land based), long-nosed fur seals, Australian Sea Lions, and Leafy Sea Dragons at the Tumby Bay Jetty.
On the penultimate day there will be more shark viewing and then the engines start in the late afternoon as you head back to port.
Final Day
Early morning breakfast and then disembark at Port Lincoln.
Neptune Islands, Great White Sharks (Special Trip)
Trip highlights: great white sharks, seals/sea lions, onboard experts on great white sharks
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, off the beaten track
Dive sites and activities: Hopkins Island (seal swim), Neptune Islands (shark viewing and diving including ocean floor cage diving). Other prices are available for those who only wish to participate in surface cage diving or to watch, no dive certification needed (not ocean floor cage diving)
Day 1
Begin your South Australian adventure by boarding the Rodney Fox liveaboard in Port Lincoln. After the welcome and safety briefing, the vessel departs through the stunning Thorny Passage. The first stop is Hopkins Island, where you’ll enjoy a snorkel or dive with playful Australian sea lions. From there, the boat continues on to the Neptune Islands Marine Park to drop anchor for the coming days. In the evening, relax over dinner and settle into your cabin as you prepare for the adventure ahead.
(Note: on 5 and 6 night trips, the boarding time is during the evening, so the activities described here on Day 1 will take place on Day 2).
Core Days
This special expedition is hosted by renowned shark expert Dr. Alessandro De Maddalena, who will enrich the journey with fascinating presentations on shark biology and behaviour. At this time of year, giant female great whites are more frequently encountered, making for an extraordinary experience. Each day begins with the shark cages being deployed, giving you multiple opportunities to observe and photograph great whites in their natural environment.
Guests are offered 2 unforgettable ways to experience great white sharks up close. The first is Surface Cage Diving, where you step straight from the deck into a secure cage, placing you eye-to-eye with sharks as they glide effortlessly past, an exhilarating adventure that anyone can enjoy. For certified divers seeking something even more extraordinary, the Ocean Floor Cage Dive is available exclusively on the Rodney Fox liveaboard. This rare opportunity takes you down to around 18 metres, where great white sharks patrol in a calmer, more natural setting, sharing the depths with rays and reef fish. Each dive delivers a distinct perspective, whether it’s the raw power of a close pass, the intrigue of a curious approach, or the awe of witnessing a display of dominance in its natural environment.
Beyond the shark encounters, time is also dedicated to exploring the region’s unique wildlife, from long-nosed fur seals and Australian sea lions to coastal reptiles and seabird colonies. Evenings are spent enjoying further insights from Alessandro, creating an experience that is as educational as it is exciting.
Final Day
After an early breakfast, enjoy a last opportunity for shark viewing at the Neptune Islands before the Rodney Fox sets course back to Port Lincoln. Following lunch, you will disembark from the liveaboard with unforgettable memories of close encounters with great white sharks and the diverse wildlife of the Neptune Islands.
Neptune Islands, Great White Sharks (Special Trip) (5 Days / 4 Nights - 1 Dives)
Trip highlights: great white sharks, seals/sea lions, onboard experts on great white sharks
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, off the beaten track
Dive sites and activities: Hopkins Island (seal swim), Neptune Islands (shark viewing and diving including ocean floor cage diving). Other prices are available for those who only wish to participate in surface cage diving or to watch, no dive certification needed (not ocean floor cage diving).
Day 1
This special expedition begins at the Marina Hotel in Port Lincoln, where you will board the Rodney Fox in the late morning. After a welcome and safety briefing from the liveaboard crew, you'll set sail with a fascinating talk about the great white sharks you'll soon encounter. As we cruise to our evening anchorage, you'll get to know your fellow adventurers. The day concludes with a delicious dinner, setting the stage for the adventures to come.
Core Days
These days are a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Jacques Cousteau, timed to honour his death 29 years ago (25 June 1997) and what would have been his 115th birthday on 11 June. This special Peak 'Big Girl' Season safari is infused with extra French flair, featuring classic cuisine, vin rouge, commemorative red beanies, and a special screening of The Life Aquatic.
The expedition is designed for those seeking an intimate and immersive great white shark experience. You will have unlimited time in the surface cage for up-close encounters. Certified divers can adventure deeper using the world’s only ocean-floor cage (each dive includes approx. 30 minutes bottom time).
Beyond the sharks, explore the Neptune Islands by tender boat to observe New Zealand fur seals and a variety of birdlife, with a chance to spot elusive Australian sea lions. Evenings are for learning and relaxation, with engaging shark talks from our crew before resting up for another day of adventure.
Day 5
Enjoy a final breakfast at sea followed by a last morning of thrilling shark viewing and cage diving. The Rodney Fox liveaboard departs the Neptune Islands in the mid-afternoon, toasting the adventure with local South Australian 'wines on the bow', often accompanied by a pod of common dolphins. A light dinner is served as you return to Port Lincoln for disembarkation, concluding this unforgettable tribute to an ocean pioneer.
[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].
Meals are freshly prepared and served daily onboard Rodney Fox liveaboard, in the boat’s saloon, with warm hospitality. Meals are timed around the diving schedule but may vary based on weather conditions or exciting wildlife encounters like peak shark activity. In such cases, a rolling lunch is offered to ensure you don’t miss the action.
Breakfast (6:30 - 8 am):
- A simple and satisfying start with assorted cereals, eggs, bacon, mushrooms, beans, ham, yoghurts, muesli, cheese, croissants and a variety of breads.
Lunch (12:30 - 2 pm):
- Warm & Cosy: Homemade soups served with fresh bread, comforting and ideal after time in the water;
- Fresh & Portable: Wraps or sandwiches prepared fresh for quick refueling between dives;
- Lean & Green: Chicken and salad for a protein-rich, light yet filling option;
- Classic Cravings: Burgers and fries to satisfy bigger appetites.
Snacks (available throughout the day):
- Free options: Biscuits, sweet slices, packet soups, and chips;
- Extras available for purchase: Chocolate bars and other sweet treats;
- Note: Guests may bring their own non-perishable snacks (no access to galley, refrigeration, or heating).
Dinner (6 – 7:30 pm):
- Homestyle Classics: Roast chicken with vegetables and salad, paired with freshly baked rolls;
- Delicious Favourites: Lasagne, casseroles, and mild curries made from scratch;
- Aussie Staples: Schnitzels, BBQ nights under the stars, and sides of grilled vegetables or salads;
- Seafood Delights: Mussels, prawns, and other fresh catches from the region;
- Desserts: Each dinner ends with a sweet treat such as cheesecake, fruit crumble, or chocolate pudding.
Complimentary Beverage Selection:
- Freshly brewed tea and coffee, available 24/7;
- Filtered water always accessible for hydration.
Alcoholic Beverages (available for purchase):
- Soft drinks, beer, wine, and mixed drinks available at the onboard bar;
- Enjoy a cold drink during sunset or a glass of wine with dinner.
Special Experiences:
- Hawaiian/Quiz Night: Dress in your best tropical wear and join for a fun evening of trivia and games with fellow divers;
- Beach & Land Walks: When conditions allow, explore the nearby coastlines or enjoy a scenic hike ashore.
Special Dining Experiences:
- Sometimes, when the weather is favourable, the boat hosts special meals outdoors, such as a seafood night on the dive deck or a BBQ or seafood dinner on the upper deck, offering guests a relaxed and scenic dining experience under the stars.
