Shark Cage Diving with a Great White Shark has to be one of the most incredible experiences of my trip. I headed to Port Lincoln in South Australia to check out Calypso Star Charter.

I’m stood in the cage peering out into the ocean when suddenly it appears. It started off as a shadow and slowly developed into the incredible creature that has survived 16 million years of evolution. The Great White Shark is incredibly casual and majestic as it stalked towards us. It’s scary to think that the shark can sense my heartbeat and would be feeling it quicken as it got closer. They can sense one billionth of a volt. It certainly knows I am there.

It was phenomenal to watch the shark chase the bait as it widened its jaws merely a metre away from where we were. You’ll feel an incredible adrenaline rush as you watch it clamp down its jaws with thousands of pounds of pressure. Even though you are in a cage the viewing gap is big enough to give you the sensation that you’re not in one. You can’t truly appreciate a Great White Shark until you have been down there with them.

Would I recommend this tour. Yes, yes and yes! The day tour lasts approximately 12 hours and it’s an enjoyable journey out past the Neptune Islands. You won’t just see sharks but scores of dolphins and even seals. The ship is very comfortable, friendly crew and the hostess really outdoes herself. You’ll be incredibly well fed throughout the day. The seafood platter was a rather nice touch.

At the end of the trip there was a customer feedback form and I honestly couldn’t suggest any improvements.

Now you’re probably wondering what this all costs and therein may lie a problem for some. At $495, this day tour is certainly not the cheapest but you have to look at the bigger picture. Do you get value for money? Personally, I would say so. There’s only a few places in the world that you can dive with Great White Sharks; Australia, South Africa and Guadalupe Island. At $495 this type of tour is actually very cheap compared to the competition. Look around on the internet and you’ll see many other operators that start at $3000.

This tour is rather accessible. You don’t have to have a diving certification and you don’t have to wear a tank either. The group was a mix of young travellers, backpackers and even a couple who were celebrating a 40th birthday. Due to the price tag this type of tour may be out of reach for some budget travellers or backpackers but I think I would rather have done this and forego some other tour or a few nights out. Was certainly worth it and experience you won’t soon forget.

Easiest way to get to Port Lincoln is to fly, unless of course you are driving through. Flights are reasonably priced from Sydney and Melbourne, and fly via Adelaide. I’d recommend booking a flight online with Qantas. Port Lincoln lacks any hostels and cheap accommodation options are slim . I stayed at the Pier Hotel (+618 8682 1322), which was clean, quiet, overlooks Boston Bay and is a short taxi away from where the tour departs.

This tour was sponsored by Calypso Star Charter. Images courtesy of Calypso Star Charter. The Pier Hotel offered Gap Year Escape industry rates for the duration of stay.