PORT STEPHENS TOURS

Conservation is at the heart of Irukandiji's Shark & Ray Encounters. They also have a not-for-profit organization called Sea Shelter. Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters is home to Sea Shelter’s rescued animals while they are nursed back to health, and until they’re ready to be released back into their home. Your ticket here gives you the chance to get close to sharks and rays in the deep waters of the natural-style tropical lagoon. Once you arrive at Irukandji, you will be greeted by the friendly staff, who will guide you through the whole process - from learning how to interact safely with the animals to giving you all the equipment you need to enter the water and meet the animals. Inside the shallows of the lagoon, you will be surrounded by sharks and rays of different sizes and species. It is a fascinating sight as your guide hands out food for the animals and tells you about each animal's unique personalities, habits, and quirks. Discover the affectionate natures of these animals and watch them adorably flap around your feet or swim into your lap so you can pet them! Outside of the water, stroll past the different pools and spot the diverse variety of fish and the specific food and information provided at each pool. You can reach in and interact with the animals as they swim around in their homes. Every hour a guide will conduct an educational talk on sharks, rays, and marine conservation. These will help you uncover some myths about these amazing creatures and offer you practical ways to help protect the oceans and their inhabitants. Later, you can rinse off under a warm shower and towel down before enjoying a cruise around the tropical aquarium. See the clownfish flounce rapidly around the anenome and the lionfish sail around their home. Don't forget to shop for some sustainable gifts and souvenirs from the store, including cute fluffy toys and snacks.

If you would love to brag to your friends that you have petted and hand-fed sharks, Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters is the place to be! The aquarium offers an immersive experience for you to get close to the resident sharks and rays. After a brief safety training from the expert staff and provision of all necessary equipment, you will wade into the natural lagoon-style habitat. Bend down to pet or feed the affectionate sharks and rays as they glide close to you. You can keep wearing your own clothes so that only your hands and feet get wet, or hire a wetsuit to enjoy the experience in more depth. You will also get to feed the larger species like eagle rays, zebra sharks, and leopard whiprays in the Ray Lagoon. In the Bamboo Shallows exhibit you will discover smaller, but no less interesting, species such as juvenile Port Jackson sharks, tropical fish, seahorses, and eels. Combine entertainment with learning as you learn about smooth stingrays that can grow over 300 kilograms, through an educational talk with your experienced guide. Visit the Tawny Terrain, where tawny nurse sharks are waiting to make your acquaintance. These sharks spend a long time sleeping, and are sometimes referred to as koalas of the ocean.