Rodney Fox

Boat

Rodney Fox is a 32 meters long, 7.6 meters wide spacious steel liveaboard vessel, it has the exclusive rights to go ashore on the Neptune Islands in South Australia and feature the only Ocean Floor Dive Cage in the world.

Rodney Fox has 3 decks in total, with an cozy lounge with bar where meals are served, an open sundeck where guests can watch the shark action or relax under the Oz sun. The brand new tender boat is for island tours and sea lion snorkels and dives.

Rodney Fox will get most of the sailing is done at night, providing maximum exposure to the sharks and the stunning Neptune Islands. You’ll have more time to dive, explore, observe other wildlife, and enjoy the camaraderie of your fellow passengers and crew. In between the thrill of the sharks, the tours are relaxed, with plenty of opportunities to unwind or find out more about shark research.

Story Behind

It began in 1963 when Rodney Fox was savagely attacked by a Great White while defending his Spear Fishing Champion title off Aldinga Beach, South Australia. The fact that Rodney survived is amazing, and due to an incredible set of events that aligned fortuitously in his favour. To this day, his attack is regarded as one of the most severe ever to be survived. In total, Rodney had 462 stitches in his chest, right hand and arm. It changed his life, and he became fascinated with the primeval creature that had almost killed him.

In 1976, shortly after JAWS was released, Rodney received a request from an American dive travel company wanting to bring their clients on a Great White shark expedition. Rodney happily obliged, and it became the world’s first Shark Cage Diving Tour – the first of very many as it turned out.

Rodney continued to run tours and make films until 1999. By this time, his son, Andrew had become an integral part of the operation. Educated with a science degree, he is a world-renowned underwater photographer and a highly regarded advocate of the Great White Shark.

The Rodney family will give you an experience you're looking for. In many months they do enjoy a success rate approaching 100% seeing the great white sharks most years.

Cabin

Rodney Fox provides 9 guest cabins, it can accommodate 18 guests per trip.

All cabins oonboard have a TV with DVD player, storage area, and 240-volt plug sockets.

1 Master Cabin :
Located on the upper deck, this cabin comes with a plush double bed, desk and chair, private bathroom, window.

6 Double/Twin Cabins :
Located on the upper deck, each cabin comes with a double bed bottom bunk and a single bunk on top, use shared bathrooms.

2 Twin Cabins :
Located on the lower deck, each cabin comes with two full-size single beds(bunk style), use shared bathroom.

Diving

• Surface Cage dive: No Dive Qualifications Needed
• Surface Cage dive is suitable for anyone over the age of 8
• Ocean Floor Cage dive: OW certification Needed
• Ocean Floor Cage is for 3 guests with 1 guide
• Ocean Floor Cage will descend approximately 20 metres
• Both Cages offer unlimited cage dives, chance for everyone
• A warm 7mm full-length wetsuit, hood, and boots is needed

Other Informations

• Nitrox：Not available at the moment
• 15L Tanks：Not available at the moment
• REBREATHER Dive：Not available at the moment
• Dive Equipment Rental：Available with additional charge
• Dive insurance：Divers must have valid dive insurance
• Wi-Fi Internet ：Complimentary for all guests
• Laundry Service：Not available at the moment
• Massage Service：Not available at the moment
• Payment on board：By cash (AUD)
• Crew Number：7, include 2 dive guides

About the trips

With daylight saving (October to March) in Spring and Summer, we offer tours as short as 2-3 nights long. Typically the weather is more favourable at this time of year and the beautiful long summer nights are just a joy!

The BIGGEST sharks of the year are often seen in Autumn and Winter - April into June is usually the best time to witness giant mature female great whites. As we head deeper into this season the tours have a longer itinerary. This takes the shorter days and typical weather in to account, so to give best chance of success we run our various 4 to 10 day expeditions. This additional time onboard gives us flexibility as to when we get down to and get back between the shelter of the mainland and the sheltered anchorage of the Neptune Islands. Such tours are relatively less expensive to reflect the relative time spent with great white sharks. We only choose the most productive days to spend with the sharks, and look for alternative diving or shore based activities on other days.

Depending on the season, some longer itineraries also target inshore coastal species including the world largest giant cuttlefish aggregation, Australian sea lions, and leafy sea dragons.

Great White Shark Expedition (5 Nights)

A special six-day live-aboard expedition includes 5 days of peak great white shark diving, an Australian sea lion dive or two, plus other extras in this comprehensive expedition package.

Great White Shark Expedition (3 Nights)

The Great White Expedition gives 3 days diving and 3 nights onboard the Rodney Fox. This is the perfect trip for anyone who has ever wanted to jump into the cage and experience the thrill of seeing Great White Sharks up close. Even watching them from the boat is amazing. It is an Expedition for all ages, although we recommend children are at least 8 years old, and able to cope in an adult environment.

Great White Adventure (2 Nights)

Our award winning 2-Night Great White Adventure is back running again! This tour now includes OCEAN FLOOR CAGE DIVING for our qualified SCUBA divers. This trip is ideal for anyone who, a little pressed for time, has ever wanted to jump into the cage and experience the thrill of seeing Great White Sharks up close. Even watching them from the boat is amazing. You’ll also learn about the Great White’s habitat and see, first hand, how they interact with their environment. It is an Adventure for all ages, although we recommend children are at least 8 years old, and able to cope in an adult environment.

Lions, Dragons, Giants and Sharks (9 Nights)

This 9-night itinerary allows 9 dive days on location with a variety of dive sites showcasing the underwater wonders of South Australia including Hopkins Islands for the playful Australian sea lions, Kangaroo Island for weedy sea dragons and stunning reef, often with dolphins, and local jetty dives to observe the rare and beautifully ornate leafy sea dragon.

A beautiful tour around the pretty Neptune Islands in our tender boat saying G’day to all the Long-Nosed Fur Seals. You will also have the chance to experience exclusive walking tours on the islands.

How to get there

Rodney Fox operates from Port Lincoln in South Australia.

Port Lincoln is easily accessed by air from Adelaide International Airport by QANTAS Link and Regional Express with a short 40 minute flight.

Adelaide is accessible from all main Australian cities and many international countries with direct global flights increasing every year.

For those with a little more time, Premier Stateliner offer a return bus service from Adelaide to Port Lincoln.

For those driving, it is an approx. 7 hour drive from Adelaide to Port Lincoln. Between the months of May to August, those driving can stop off at Whyalla to dive and witness the worlds largest spawning of mating cuttlefish.