South Australia
FAQS
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time of
year?
The protection of the Great White in Australia
in 1998 has coincided with ongoing increases in fur seal populations
here, one of their favourite foods. In recent years with our large
expedition vessel "Falie", we have been able to operate
throughout the southern hemisphere winter. These factors have have
probably contributed in us now experiencing many of the most productive
and exciting Great White Shark Expeditions ever, in a history that
goes back to the 1960’s!
The best time for reliability of shark activity
in the last 5 years has been in February and a couple weeks each
side of this month, and then generally from late May through to
October. At these times we usually have experienced multiple sharks
on any given day. The size and facilities of our Expedition Vessel,
“Falie” has allowed us to operate comfortably and confidently
throughout the year. From May to September the crossings can occasionally
be rough for some sensitive to seasickness, and we might see a couple
of days of blustery weather requiring warm clothing up on deck.
This does not affect the shark activity though, and from our sheltered
anchorage's, the comfort of Falie and our exclusive "bottom
cage dives" where we descend below any choppy ocean surface,
we can happily operate in most winter weather conditions.
The warmer months of the year have also generally
been strong for shark viewing in the last few years, particularly
in the last two years. Here we enjoy more sunny skies, clearer warmer
water and calmer seas, which allow us to more consistently work
the surface cages. Bronze Whaler and Mako sharks are also seen more
frequently on these earlier dates. Fur seals are also at their densest
for the breeding season, and the generally calmer seas allow more
shore parties to explore the islands. Our Summer dates around February
are usually the best of the year for a combination of enjoying both
the nicest weather and good shark activity. Very Few February dates
in 30 years of our history have ever disappointed.
There are exceptions to every rule however
- The Most Sharks are often seen in September - These tend to
often be medium sized males
- The Biggest Sharks are often seen in June - Giant Females and
larger males are often seen then
- The Most Active Sharks are often seen in July and August - Most
Breaching/Natural predation seen from large sharks
- The Best combination of Weather and Sharks and Shore Party access
is February - Predominantly smaller males
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What is your reliability
of sightings?
Even with the unprecedented success we have seen
in recent years, our long history of operation does show that, in
some years, it is still possible that expedition members could experience
an expedition date with limited, or possibly even no shark sightings.
We therefore can't give a 100% guarantee of success working with
“Mother Nature”! However we do offer that if no Great
White sharks were recorded on any of our Falie expedition dates,
then we would offer these passengers a half price return trip (50%
off ) on any available tour date before the end of the following
year, and in the very unlikely event of a second failure any further
trips of the same or less duration are free until you see the Great
White!
This in effect is a guarantee that exclusive of
the costs travelling to South Australia, you will get to see Great
White sharks, paying at the most 1.5 times the normal fare, which
is a deal unmatched in the rest of the world and a great indication
of our confidence. Many people mention that the trip alone apart
from the sharks is an unbeatable fun filled wilderness adventure
and we have frequent repeat passengers to endorse this.
Our Success rate of seeing good sustained shark
action on trip dates 3 days or more on location over the last 40
years is 91%. This does not include dates where we have seen brief
topside glimpses only and includes dates in periods of what we now
know are "off peak" or risky times. The More Risky times
to try and see sharks at the Neptune Islands are thought to be November
to Early January and then Late March to Early May. Of course there
have also been rare exceptions to these trends!
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Where are the Neptune Islands?
 For
these expeditions, we head to the Neptune Island group. The Neptune
Islands lie at the mouth of the Spencer Gulf off Port Lincoln and
consist of two island groups; North Neptune Islands (35°14’S,
136° 04’E) and South Neptune Islands (35°20’S,
136°06’E).
The sea surface temperature ranges from 13-22°C
(57-72°F), the visibility can be up to 18m and the average depth
around the islands is 30m.
Click on the map
for detailed maps of the area.
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What advantages does a
Fox Expedition have?
Fox Expeditions in South
Australia is the very best operation in the world in which to experience
great white sharks, with all the advantages of working from a liveaboard
boat.
Liveaboards allow you to maximise your productivity
and contact time with sharks, as we are permanently on location
with no further daily transfer hassles, which are often subject
to changing weather conditions and frustrating cancellations.
Once on board, everything you need is available
and included in the package, including large Twin/double cabin accommodation
with en suite bathrooms, all catering, entertainment, towels and
bedding. Famous Australian wine and beer is complimentary!
The sharks, other wildlife, sunrises and sunsets,
are all right there to enjoy all around you, and then you have all
the time you need to relax and fully absorb and enjoy the experience.
We have the world exclusive on submersible bottom
cage diving, the very best shark diving experience possible.
We encourage visiting the offshore islands at
any opportunity to see the unique scenery and wildlife, including
prolific seal and bird colonies.
Expeditions are hosted by Rodney and/or Andrew
Fox, and occasionally we enjoy other celebrity guests. We include
special talks on shark ecology, photographic instruction and can
include guests in our ongoing research programs.
A washing machine and clothes dryer is onboard
for your needs.
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Why is bottom diving
such a feature?
Our best diving feature however is when we lower
a “bottom diving cage” down below the surface to mid water,
and then even right down to the ocean floor up to 50 –100 feet
below. Only here can you readily witness the unforgettable sight
of great white sharks cruising along the bottom and then up over
your head, in our clear waters. The sharks approach the cage more
readily down here, and this treat is often rated as the most exhilarating
trip highlight with many expedition divers.
This is a magical experience and exclusive only
to Fox Expeditions onboard Falie! All participants must be “open
water” qualified to participate in this treat. Down on the
ocean bottom Great Whites seem to be even more at home, and usually
even more adventurous in approaching the cage in numbers. We also
get to view the local reef fish including giant Smooth Rays, the
world’s largest stingray species, along with other species
of rays and bottom dwelling sharks.
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Will we see large sharks?
In South Australia, you can reliably view the
awesome spectacle of huge, mature Great Whites. These are much larger
animals with most dates seeing mature sharks exceeding a true 14ft
(4m) in length and up to 18+ft. (5-6m). These larger Great White
Sharks make all other sharks forever seem insignificant in comparison,
and it is difficult to find descriptive words that do them justice!
They simply take your breath away!
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What is the underwater visibility
like?
Viewing Sharks is always far more exciting, rewarding
and unforgettable in Australia’s superior clearer water visibility.
Since the beginning, we have been the major destination choice for
serious underwater photographers whom must capture the clearest,
best underwater Great White Shark images possible. Here the visibility
allows divers to view not only the sharks entire length, but also
see them approaching from the distance with other sharks in the
background.
For prime examples of what we can expect to see
and photograph in such clear water, please see our good friend Carl
Roessler’s images at; http://www.divexprt.com/photogal/gws/gws.html
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Do you have any requirements
or recommendations for passengers?
Diver Qualification:
A dive ticket is not necessary!
However, by being certified you can then go down 15-30m (50-100ft)
in our special submersible bottom cage. We have the world exclusive
on this fabulous treat, However non-certified divers can still have
a full experience in the floating surface cages. Cage diving generally
requires no fins to be worn, and BCD’s and snorkels are optional.
For surface cage diving we have the option of a "hookah"
air hose supply for convenience, and also to save the weight of
carrying a SCUBA tank on your back. It is a safe easy, and physically
undemanding diving situation.
Insurance:
Australians are automatically covered for emergency medical evacuation.
Overseas passengers are recommended to have Travel Insurance including
emergency evacuation insurance. Travel insurance is bought through
a your travel agent. If you seek “DAN” (Diver Alert Network)
insurance, please note that this needs to be bought in your own
country of origin!
Non-Diver Features:
There is much to offer “Non Divers”, who join us now on
most trips. Non-Divers can also try a "resort dive" in
the cages when space and conditions suit with pre-arrangement. We
have non-divers onboard every trip and these include full time specialist
topside photographers, and non-diving partners accompanying divers
on board, or those just wishing to be topside observers and happily
remain topside. Much of the enjoyment of this adventure is provided
from the spectacular topside viewing of Great Whites and the other
unique wildlife action on and around the surrounding islands.
There is much onboard socialising, spectacular coastal scenery,
with island excursions, sunsets, and on clear nights, the worlds
best clear starry views of our Milky Way Galaxy. From 2006 we will
also have a new underwater surveillance camera to scan for sharks
This years was eaten... again, while looking from an on deck monitor.
Other than Rodney and Andrew we also enjoy special guest speakers
and prominent filmmaker/photographers as extra story telling hosts
on some tours throughout the year.
Water Temperature:Out
at the Neptune Islands we are pleased to report that an offshore
warmer current maintains the surrounding water temperature above
16 Celsius or 61F for most of our operating season. The warmest
water temperature is found in January/February at 19-20 Celsius
or 68 F. The temperature then gradually drops down only a few degrees
to 15-16 Celsius (60 F) in August/September. Most divers find that
a warm 7mm wetsuit along with hood, booties and gloves answers just
fine! Drysuits are also occasionally available for hire in some
sizes. If you need to hire suits, prices are listed below.
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Can I hire dive gear?
Diving gear and some limited
numbers of still cameras are available for hire at special package
rates to Rodney Fox Expedition members from “The Adelaide Dive
Centre”. All wetsuits, drysuits, and scuba equipment is freshly
serviced and reliable. Our Dive master “Pato” is an authorised
equipment technician with spare parts for most major dive brands,
and especially familiar with all hire equipment. Mask hire can be
included in the package price on request, however we recommend divers
bring or buy their own personal mask that’s fits as perfectly
as possible. SCUBA tanks in harnesses, and weight belts are complimentary
onboard. Hire Rates are calculated on a daily basis regardless of
the diving activity..
Wetsuit HIRE (inc. hood, dive boots and
gloves) AUD$20/Day These 7mm plush-lined warm wetsuits come supplied
with Hood, Boots and gloves. These are fine for most Divers needs.
Drysuit HIRE (If size is available) are
AUD$40/Day No previous experience needed for cage diving and only
a Sweat Top or T-shirt is worn underneath! Please note that a drysuit
that doesn't fit perfectly becomes a wetsuit.
Regulator HIRE: AUD$20/Day. Regulators
are only required for certified divers taking the submersible bottom
dives. Non certified divers can use a complimentary surface "hookah
airline with no regulator hire required.
- Wetsuit and all accessories and Regulator Package is priced
@$40/day
- 3-Day tour AUD$120
- 4-Day tour AUD$160
- 6-Day tour AUD$240
- 8-Day tour AUD$320
- 9-Day Tour AUD$360
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Can I hire underwater camera
equipment?
Underwater Video Camera availability is available
with notice.
For underwater still cameras, absolute beginners
right through to pro's can ensure their best chance of a professional
result, by hiring a "Nikon SLR Camera/Subal Housing" Unit
with wide angle lenses. Numbers of these Underwater Camera Units
are limited so pre-arrangement is advised. Our Dive Master "Pato",
is responsible for opening and closing all hire cameras, changing
film and helping you operate them while onboard. These extremely
easy to use cameras, can simply be set to "Automatic"
and the wide angle lens then gives you the best chance of capturing
real quality Great White Shark images. The best advantages here
is in the special optics of the lenses and the speed at which they
fire, and the quality resolution that only film provides. Film images
can be blown up to larger poster sizes.
These film cameras are made especially available
to us for AUD$100/day, with Pato taking all the responsibility for
their use. It is also possible to share this camera hire with another
passenger sharing your same expedition date. Any share hire arrangement
can be worked before the trip or by nominating an expression of
interest with us prior to the trip, and we'll try and find you any
possible camera buddy. Pro Fuji ASA200 36 Shot Print Film @ AUD$10
Roll, can also be supplied with pre-arrangement.
We Recommend film with a speed of ASA200-800,
either print or slide. Print film is more forgiving on the amateur
for successful shots, and also cheaper to buy and process, and you
also get the prints to view. Slides are more for the pros! Please
advise if you wish us to reserve a camera for you and also if you
would like film provided or you want to bring your own.
Digital cameras are available from Adelaide Dive
Centre at AUD$150/day. These high quality U/W Digital cameras have
a wide angle lense to take a good quality image. A CD of all your
images is burnt onboard and provided at the end of your trip. The
hire of these units can also be organized as late as the welcome
night, however reservations are recommended.
We can also with prearrangement, supply onboard,
some of the better budget disposable U/W cameras at AUD$25 each
including film. These cameras only function in the surface cages,
topside and up to 15m deep on the submersible bottom dives. The
photographs from these cameras are often great for "happy snaps",
but usually not suitable for publishing or blowing up to larger
sized prints of any real quality.
It should be mentioned that on most trips
there are usually many passengers with video and still cameras amongst
the typical group mix, (even professional Film Crews at times) and
it is common to share images, even copying video-video onboard from
other passengers. Make sure you bring along the right cable connection
if you wish to review your digital still images or your video footage
on the ships monitor (PAL and NTSC compatible) or on your laptop
computers.
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What is the payment policy?
A 30% deposit of the total cost is required to
secure a position with us.
Deposit is refundable up to 90 Days from departure,
minus AUD$250 cancellation fee.
Deposit is fully transferable to any other allowable
later date until 60 days before departure.
Full payment balance is due 30 days before departure.
Transfer of deposits to later date allowed within
60 days/departure if replacement found.
We reserve the right to sell any position that
is not paid in full by 60 days before departure.
No refund is made for any unused part of the itinerary,
e.g. due to unforeseen mechanical, medical, weather or other considerations.
No Refund is made for lack of shark activity
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