Children interacting with epaulette sharks at Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters aquarium.
Families interacting with stingrays at Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters aquarium.
Person touching a stingray in shallow water at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters.
Gallery
Free cancellation

Up to 24 hours before the experience starts

Instant Confirmation

Tickets confirmed the moment you book

Best Price Guarantee

Compare and secure guaranteed best available rates

Traveler reviews

Find your best option

Choose your package

Select an option to see its live dates and timings.

Highlights

  • Venture forth into a natural lagoon-style habitat to interact with the friendly sharks and rays.
  • Share an unforgettable family experience as you meet some incredible marine creatures.
  • See fiddler rays, seahorses, eels, and tawny nurse sharks that grow up to 10 feet long.
  • Learn about the aquarium's marine life on an interactive guided tour.
  • Sate your curiosity by asking questions to the experienced guide.

Your Experience

Children interacting with epaulette sharks at Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters aquarium.
Families interacting with stingrays at Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters aquarium.
Woman interacting with stingray at Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters aquarium.

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.

Inclusions & Exclusions

  • Admission to the aquarium
  • Interactive English-guided tour
  • Shallows encounter with sock hire included
  • Food for the sharks and rays
  • Educational talks and question time
  • Dining area including bring your own picnic
  • The Shark Encounter experience
  • Wetsuits, waders, and water shoes

This product offers multiple ticket options. Some items above (like transfers or fast-track access) may only apply to specific options — confirm what's included when you select yours.

Ticket Delivery

  • Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

  • Please display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the attraction.

  • If you have purchased reduced-price tickets, please carry your valid photo ID proof for verification. Students must show a valid student ID.

Ticket Redemption Point

  • You can redeem your ticket directly at the entrance of the attraction: Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters.

  • Address: 2 Jessie Rd, Anna Bay NSW 2316, Australia.

Get Directions to the Redemption Point

Getting There

  • Port Stephens is approximately a 2.5 hr drive North of Sydney on the M1 Motorway.

By Bus

  • The closest bus stop is Emerald Tiki before Jessie Rd, which is a 4-minute walk from the attraction.

  • Buses #130, #134, and #135 will bring you here.

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts.

Frequently asked questions

Clear answers to the most common questions travelers ask before booking this experience.

Booking FAQs

The pass includes admission to the aquarium, an interactive English-guided tour, a shallows encounter with sock hire, food for sharks and rays, educational talks, question time, and access to a dining area where you can bring your own picnic.

Children under 12 years old are allowed but must be accompanied by an adult while in the water at all times.

Wearing your own clothes is optional, and you can hire a wetsuit for $6 per person if you prefer more protection or comfort while interacting with marine life in the water.

Only reef-friendly sunscreen is permitted at this attraction to ensure the safety and preservation of marine environments.

Swimming in the water is not permitted; visitors can only wade into it while interacting with the marine creatures.

You will have the opportunity to meet fiddler rays, seahorses, eels, and tawny nurse sharks that grow up to 10 feet long during your visit.

Visitors must wear clothes over their swimwear while interacting with marine life at this attraction.

The attraction is wheelchair accessible, ensuring that visitors of all abilities can enjoy the experience.

Highlights include interacting with sharks and rays in a natural lagoon-style habitat, sharing memorable experiences as a family, learning about marine life on an interactive guided tour, and asking questions to experienced guides.

The Shark Encounter experience itself is excluded from this ticket. Additionally, wetsuits, waders, and water shoes must be arranged separately if needed.

Reviews

4.1
667 reviews

All reviews

5
399
4
116
3
31
2
35
1
85

Similar experiences you'd love

Starting From
$ 31.72
$ 29.786% OFF