Shark cage diving in New Zealand is a once-in-a-lifetime activity. This incredible experience allows visitors to get up close and personal with one of the ocean’s top predators – the great white shark. In this post, I’ve shared all you need to know about cage diving with sharks in New Zealand.
Seeing a great white shark in the flesh has always been something at the very top of my bucket list. I’ve been fascinated by these magnificent animals from a young age. With questionable ethics surrounding cage diving, I never thought it would be possible. Thankfully, my trip to New Zealand changed all of that. In May 2023, I finally got to swim with a great white shark (in a cage!).
Below, I’ve shared my first-hand experience of cage diving with great white sharks and included an honest review.
Note: this is a review based on first-hand experience. I paid full price for the tour and received no discount or benefits for writing this review. It’s entirely my honest opinion.
History of cage diving with Sharks in New Zealand
New Zealand has a bit of a complicated history when it comes to cage diving with great white sharks. The activity was once legal, and there were several operators close to Stewart Island. Back in 2018, cage diving in New Zealand became illegal after locals voiced concerns that it was changing the behaviour of the great white sharks.
A big part of the issue was that the operators were using chum to attract the sharks. With food involved, sharks can become more aggressive. It also has the potential to change the sharks’ migration patterns.
Side note: I went cage diving in South Africa and the negative consequences of chumming were very clear. Cage diving also recently became illegal in Mexico after a shark attacked a cage, injured itself and died. Mexico also regularly used chum to attract the sharks.
However, after a long battle with the New Zealand Courts, the operators managed to get the decision overturned and cage diving with sharks in New Zealand became legal once more.
There is now only one operator who offers this activity – Shark Experience Bluff. They have a large focus on the ethics around the activity. The shark’s safety is their priority. They rarely use chum to attract or feed the sharks and make it clear that they can’t guarantee any sightings.
Where can you cage dive with great white Sharks in New Zealand
The only place to cage dive with sharks in New Zealand is between Bluff and Stewart Island. Shark Experience Bluff takes passengers across the Foveaux Strait to the waters off the coast of Stewart Island. It’s close to a large seal colony which is one of the sharks’ favourite meals.
To go cage diving with sharks in New Zealand, you’ll need to head to Bluff on New Zealand’s South Island (the tour does not operate from Stewart Island). Bluff is also where the ferry for Stewart Island departs from. Don’t miss a visit to this stunning island, it’s a haven for nature and wildlife lovers.
The closest airport to Bluff is Invercargill. There’s no public bus between Invercargill and Bluff, so you’ll need to hire a car or book a taxi. It’s only a twenty-minute drive or so.
About the boat ride to Stewart Island
The boat ride from Bluff to Stewart Island (where the great white sharks are) isn’t for the faint of heart. You’ll need to cross the Foveaux Strait which is known for having some of the roughest waters in New Zealand. (It’s a shame there is no way to do the cage diving from Stewart Island, this way you’d only need to do the crossing once).
Shark Experience Bluff won’t take customers cage diving if the sea is too rough, but their definition of rough might be slightly different to yours. Our journey to the cage diving site was incredibly choppy and most of the passengers were unwell. Once we parked up, conditions seemed to settle for a while. By the afternoon, the swell was strong once more and diving in the cage became very difficult. Thankfully, we’d already seen several great white sharks.
I’d recommend taking a motion sickness tablet before getting on the boat. Even if you don’t normally suffer from sea sicknesses, the ocean can be very rough here and you don’t want it to spoil the experience.
What to pack for your cage diving trip
All the diving equipment including a thick wet suit is provided by Shark Experience Bluff. However, there are a few important items I’d recommend taking with you.
Swimming outfit
You’ll be given a warm wetsuit to wear in the water but will need to wear a swimming costume or shorts underneath. I’d suggest bringing a T-shirt and even leggings you don’t mind getting wet to wear too. This will help to keep you warm in the water.
Warm clothes
I don’t know if it was the time of year I visited (May) but it was absolutely freezing out on that boat. Being in the water wasn’t too bad as we had thick wetsuits, but getting out of the water was very, VERY, cold. Have layers, layers, and more layers with you, especially when going in the spring or autumn.
It’s also a good idea to take clothes you can easily put on when you’re a bit damp. I took some baggy joggers and a thick jumper to wear after I got out of the water.
A towel
You won’t be provided with a towel, so remember to pack one to dry off with.
Other things to know about cage diving with sharks in New Zealand
Hire a camera or take a GoPro
While I’m all for being in the moment when having an experience like this, I still think taking an underwater camera is a good idea. Swimming with a great white shark is something you’ll likely never do again, and it’s nice to have some photos and videos to remember it by.
You can take your own underwater camera with you or hire one through Shark Experience Bluff. Make sure you do this as soon as you book as they only have a limited amount.
You don’t need to scuba qualified
Cage diving with sharks in New Zealand involves using a respirator below the water. This means you’ll be able to stay down there for periods of up to 20 minutes without coming up for air. This can be a little intimidating, but the boat crew give you all the training you need. There’s a physical test with a qualified diver before they let you go in the cage alone.
If you’re already scuba qualified, you won’t need to do this training.
You don’t have to go inside the cage
If you want to see a great white shark without going inside the cage, it’s possible to observe from the boat. This is a much cheaper option. If you’re desperate to see sharks, I’m not sure how much I’d recommend this. The sharks barely breached on my trip and with the waters so rough, it was hard to see beneath the surface. If you want to see the sharks, you’re best to go inside the cage.
It’s seasonal
Cage diving in New Zealand is only available in the summer and autumn months. The season usually starts in December and runs through May, depending on the weather and success of the season. If swimming with sharks in New Zealand is high on your bucket list, make sure to go at the right time of year.
Book in advance
This is a very popular activity and with limited spaces on the boat, it’s important to book ahead. I only found out about the activity a few days before we did it. It had sold out for the rest of the season but thankfully, they had a last-minute cancellation which meant I was able to go cage diving.
The only way to book the tour is through the Shark Experience Bluff website.
You’re not guaranteed to see the sharks
It’s very important to know that customers on the boat are not guaranteed to see the sharks. This is similar to other wildlife experiences in New Zealand such as swimming with wild dolphins or whale watching in Kaikoura.
The waters around Stewart Island are known to be home to lots of great white sharks so your chances are high, but it’s not guaranteed. Shark Experience Bluff do not use chum (and rightly so), so it is based on luck.
If you don’t see the sharks, they’ll invite you out again for free to try again.
Is cage diving with great white sharks ethical?
I’m no expert on the subject but animal welfare is something that I am very passionate about. I think it’s fair to say that no activity which involves entering a wild animal’s habitat is entirely 100% ethical and sustainable. However, educating people and bringing them closer to nature is one of the best ways to help people understand why we need to protect these incredible creatures.
In my opinion, cage diving in New Zealand is as ethical and sustainable as it can be. I went cage diving (not with great whites) in South Africa and was horrified at the situation. Several boats were surrounding the sharks, the sharks were being fed so much chum and the cages didn’t feel safe for the humans or the sharks.
My experience with Shark Experience Bluff could not have been more different. Firstly, it was clear safety was their number one priority (for both sharks and humans). The cage felt very robust and was designed so it was easy to keep all your limbs inside (this was not the case in South Africa). We were also given clear instructions on what not to do.
In terms of the sharks, no chum was used whatsoever. They had a bait ball which was sometimes thrown in the water, but this wasn’t something the shark could eat and was removed from the water when the shark appeared. They did play some vibration sounds under the water to attract the sharks, but at no point were the sharks given any food.
Note: Shark Experience Bluff have said they will occasionally use chum. This is for welfare checks when sharks haven’t been seen for a while. However, it’s something they prefer to avoid.
Cage diving in New Zealand is only provided by one operator, so this means there aren’t multiple boats surrounding or chasing the great white sharks.
As I said above, no activity involving wild animals is ever going to be 100% ethical in my opinion. However, Shark Experience Bluff went above and beyond to ensure the safety and welfare of the sharks. It’s clear they respect these magnificent great white sharks and want to educate visitors on why they need to be protected.
Honest review of cage diving with great white sharks in New Zealand
Seeing a great white shark in real life had long been at the very top of my bucket list. After my experience in South Africa and seeing just how unethical the activity was, I didn’t think it would ever happen. Thankfully, Shark Experience Bluff made it possible.
Cage diving with sharks is an absolute must-do activity and one of the best things to do in New Zealand. The activity is on the expensive side, but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime activity for most. In my opinion, cage diving with sharks in New Zealand is well worth the money.
Shark Experience Bluff provide a thrilling but safe experience. My biggest concern about cage diving with sharks was how ethical the activity was. It’s never going to be perfect, but the company put the sharks’ welfare above everything else. They don’t use chum or do anything to entice the shark to interact with those in the cage.
Of all the activities I would love to do again in New Zealand, cage diving with sharks is at the absolute top of the list.
Book your cage diving experience with Shark Experience Bluff.
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