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Great white sharks are perhaps the most feared underwater wildlife species by humans. They have been known to attack swimmers, surfers, spear-fishers, and divers, sometimes with gruesome results. In Australia, great white sharks are found from Ningaloo Marine Park in Western Australia to Moreton Bay in Queensland, but they are more frequently spotted in the southern regions, especially near seal and sea lion colonies. South Australia is a popular destination for great white shark cage diving, with expeditions departing from Port Lincoln to the Neptune Islands, where divers can get up close and personal with these apex predators.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia |
| Migration | Great White Sharks tagged in South Australia have been spotted in other states |
| Migration Distance | Great White Sharks can travel up to 80 kilometres in a single day |
| Migration Season | More common in the Neptune Islands in winter |
| Migration Route | Sharks take identical underwater pathways to arrive at the same locations at different times |
| Migration Reasons | Sharks follow humpback whales during their southern migration along the WA coast to prey on calves |
| Migration Reasons | Sharks are attracted to the calving of Southern Right Whales near Nullabor in the Great Australian Bight |
| Migration Reasons | Sharks move up the east or west coasts of Australia in search of food |
| Migration Food Sources | Seal colonies, baby whales, and other sources |
| Cage Diving Locations | North Neptune Island, South Neptune Island |
| Cage Diving Operators | MV Rodney Fox, Calypso Star Charters |
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What You'll Learn
Great white shark cage diving in South Australia
Great white sharks are an iconic and impressive sight, but there are very few places in the world where you can see them. One of the best places to see them is in South Australia, where you can go cage diving with these majestic creatures.
The Neptune Islands, off the coast of South Australia, are known as the best place in the world to experience great white sharks in their natural habitat. The islands are in the Great Australian Bight, a large oceanic bay off the southern coast of Australia. The Neptune Islands are made up of two island groups, the North and South Neptune Islands. The South Neptune Islands are around a half-day sail from Port Lincoln, a fishing town west of Adelaide.
There are two companies that offer cage diving with great white sharks in the Neptune Islands: Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions and Calypso Star Charters. Rodney Fox, a famous shark attack survivor, invented the first-ever shark cage over 50 years ago. His company offers both surface and ocean floor shark cage diving, so non-divers can also take part. They also offer walking tours of North Neptune Island and shark research talks. Calypso Star Charters offers day trips, while Rodney Fox books multi-day expeditions. Both companies provide excellent service and have good reputations.
On a great white shark cage diving trip, you will have the chance to get up close and personal with these incredible animals. You will be provided with a wetsuit and all the necessary gear, including rental dive gear if needed. The crew will play music, reportedly loved by sharks, to attract them to the cage. You will also be served buffet meals and have the opportunity to compare photos with other divers. The crew will also provide educational seminars on shark ecology and conservation.
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Great white sharks are found near seal and sea lion colonies
Great white sharks are widely distributed in the temperate and subtropical oceans of both the northern and southern hemispheres. They are, however, particularly partial to temperate waters. In Australia, great white sharks are found from Ningaloo Marine Park in Western Australia to Moreton Bay in Queensland. They are more frequently sighted in the south, especially near seal and sea lion colonies.
Great white sharks are apex predators, feeding on seals, whales, dolphins, fish, and even other sharks. Their preference for seal and sea lion colonies as hunting grounds is evident from the diet of a typical great white. Large adults, in particular, feed on seals, whales, and dolphins. The younger sharks tend to feed on fish.
In South Australia, the Neptune Islands are a popular destination for great white shark cage diving. The Neptune Islands are two island groups in the Great Australian Bight, off Australia's southern coast. The North Neptune Islands and the South Neptune Islands provide excellent opportunities for divers to get up close and personal with great white sharks.
The presence of seal and sea lion colonies in these areas further enhances the likelihood of great white shark encounters. The friendly and charismatic Australian sea lions at Hopkins Island, for instance, are a notable highlight of expeditions to the Neptune Islands. Thus, the proximity to seal and sea lion colonies makes the Neptune Islands an ideal location for divers seeking an immersive experience with great white sharks.
Great white sharks are not only attracted to seal and sea lion colonies for hunting purposes but also for strategic reasons. In Western Australia, great white sharks have been observed following humpback whales during their southern migration. By doing so, they can prey on young calves, old whales, or sick adults, making their hunt more efficient. This behaviour further underscores the importance of seal and sea lion colonies in the habitat and behaviour of great white sharks in Australia.
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They follow humpback whales during their southern migration
Great white sharks are found in various locations in Australia, including South Australia, where they are a popular attraction for cage diving. They are also known to frequent the country's southern coast, where they feed on seals.
Great white sharks are known to follow humpback whales during their southern migration. This migration typically begins in late April, when the humpbacks start their journey north from the Antarctic. The whales then make their way back south to the Kimberley region from August to December. The presence of humpback whales in Western Australian (WA) waters may contribute to the appeal of the nearby Perth beaches for great white sharks.
Rottnest Island, located near Perth, is a known resting area for humpback whales and could be a factor in attracting great white sharks to the region. The WA coast offers a range of habitats that are important for humpback whales during their migration, including narrow corridors and bottlenecks that bring the whales closer to the shore.
The recovery of great white shark populations since 1999, along with the increase in humpback whale numbers since 1963, has been suggested as a possible explanation for the rise in shark attacks in WA. The presence of a plentiful food source, such as booming whale numbers, may reduce the likelihood of hungry sharks targeting humans.
While interactions between great white sharks and humpback whales are rare, there have been documented cases of great white sharks attacking humpback whales. In one instance, researchers in South Africa observed two great white sharks employing a "bite and spit" tactic to fatally attack a humpback whale. This event provided valuable insights into the interactions between these two marine giants.
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Great whites are commonly spotted in the Neptune Islands in winter
The Neptune Islands, a group of four islands located in the Great Australian Bight, are a natural feeding ground for Great White Sharks. They are home to Australia's largest colony of fur seals, which makes them a hotspot for Great White sightings. The islands were named by English explorer Matthew Flinders in 1802 due to their remote and inaccessible nature. Over 200 years later, they remain largely untouched, providing a pristine and rugged paradise for adventurers seeking a glimpse of these majestic creatures.
Great white sharks are known to inhabit the Neptune Islands all year round, with male sharks being spotted more frequently than their female counterparts. The seal pups are born during the summer months of December and January, but they don't start entering the ocean until winter, which is when the giant female Great Whites arrive. These female sharks can grow up to 6 meters in length, making them even larger than the males, which typically reach up to 5 meters.
The Neptune Islands provide a unique opportunity for cage diving with Great White Sharks. Operators like Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions and Calypso Star Charters offer day trips or multi-day expeditions within the Neptune Islands Conservation Park. These tours provide a safe and thrilling experience for adventurers seeking an up-close encounter with these apex predators. The trips require a significant time and financial commitment, but they offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the wild and rugged beauty of the Neptune Islands while diving with Great Whites.
While the Neptune Islands have long been a reliable spot for Great White sightings, there have been reports of declining shark populations in recent years. Environmental factors, overfishing, and bycatch deaths have all contributed to the decrease. Additionally, orca predation has been linked to sudden disappearances of Great White Sharks in the area. Despite these challenges, the Neptune Islands remain one of the best places in the world to witness the awe-inspiring beauty and power of these misunderstood creatures.
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Great white shark attacks in Australia
Great white sharks are the subject of fear and loathing in Australia, with the media often portraying them as ruthless man-eaters. While they do not frequently attack humans, the consequences can be gruesome when they do. Between 1876 and 1999, there were 52 attacks by great whites in Australia, 27 of which were fatal. From 1791 to April 2018, the Australian Shark-Incident Database recorded 237 fatal shark attacks in Australia, with 11 of those occurring in 2020 and 2021.
Great white shark attacks have been particularly prevalent in Western Australia, with four fatal attacks occurring in Esperance over an eight-year period. In October 2020, Esperance surfer Andrew Sharpe was killed by a great white shark. This incident, along with other recent attacks, has prompted calls for more proactive shark research and mitigation in the region. The WA government's decision to cancel a SMART drumline trial in 2021 was met with criticism from some who felt it was an inadequate response to the issue.
One of the most infamous great white shark attacks in Australia took place in 1985 when a woman was bitten in half and devoured at a public beach in Peake Bay, South Australia. Another tragic incident occurred in 1993 when newlyweds John and Deborah Ford were scuba diving at a seal rock 600 kilometers north of Sydney. A five-meter-long great white shark attacked them, and while John pushed Deborah out of the way, he was tragically swallowed by the shark.
Despite the risks, cage diving with great white sharks has become a popular activity in South Australia, with Port Lincoln being a notable hub for such expeditions. Divers can choose between operators like Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions and Calypso Star Charters, which offer multiday expeditions or day trips, respectively. While these experiences can be thrilling, they also provide an opportunity to learn more about these apex predators and dispel some of the fears surrounding them.
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Frequently asked questions
Great white sharks can be found in the Neptune Islands in South Australia.
Cage diving is a popular way to see great white sharks in Australia.
Great white sharks are also spotted in Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia.
Great white sharks are more commonly spotted in the Neptune Islands during winter.
Yes, great white sharks are dangerous and are responsible for 27 of the 63 recorded fatal shark attacks in Australia.
