Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters — Attraction in Anna Bay

Use your $25 NSW Discovery voucher here! DO NOT GO TO THE OTHER business! We were highly recommended by friends to come visit and we were NOT disappointed. This was a birthday present by my girlfriend and we went over the long weekend on the way back to Sydney.

Upon entry, there is a massive carpark with wheelchair accessible entry. There were two staff members who greeted us at the counter at around 2pm.

Cost was ~$30 for an adult ($5 only after voucher use). This was for entry and also allowed you to see the show (20mins) and pet the friendly sharks and rays from the edge. You could feed them too if the staff allowed you and the animals were hungry.

There were experience add ons which allowed you to enter the water in their socks, hired wetsuits and/or snorkels ($15-$75). We weren’t sure which experience to add on and the staff member was very friendly and informative with our questions. She allowed us to enter and pay for an experience once we had a look at what was on offer. (Sorry I forgot your names)

A safety presentation was played prior to entry. This business takes a lot of care for their animals and takes safety as a priority. Treat the animals with love and care or you risk being ejected.

We were told this was their new venue and they are still expanding. It was an outside pool with two sandy shallow bank where the animals would come for feeds or pets. There were two other unground deep tanks as well. You could be given a feeding stick and feed by the marine biology educated trainers for the various animals.

I immediately fell in love and quickly went to book in a snorkel experience as it was the last time slot for the day, while my partner opt’d to only get her feet wet on the sand banks ($60 for me).

They have wetsuits ranging up to XXXL and in long or short. You get a locker to place your belongings in and if there are towels left, you can use theirs at the end. Socks are included for all experiences. There’s also hot outdoor showers available!

You are instructed to not kick your feet in the water as you might hurt the animals. It’s better if you make less movement and be one with the rays and sharks. The snorkel experience was well worth the money. You got 1hr snorkeling around and were allowed on the sandbanks after to sit in the water and feed the animals (pending trainers approval for their comfort). I recommend spending your time on the left side near the sandbank as the animals do loops around there mostly. Remember to look before you plant any limbs on the ground as there maybe an animal! Shuffle your feet to get out too!

The animals were incredibly friendly and some stopped for more pats when you touched their backs.

My partner enjoyed her time as well in the water on the sandbanks feeding the animals. I joined her after and got to sit on the sandbanks while all the string rays and sharks got up close and personal during feeds. I was like a child in Disneyland. Those that only paid entry also got to enjoy feeding the animals by the edge as well.

I didn’t get a chance to see if there were any food or drinks available to purchase so best to supply your own. There’s ample grass area for a picnic if you’d like as well.

Call in advance to see how busy they are as that’d impact on how personal you got to the animals. Support this local business doing great things for these friendly stingrays and sharks. Don’t expect an aquarium sized zoo experience. Definitely not one to miss. Where else can you close and feed friendly sharks and stingrays?!

I’m bringing the kids next time!

Thank you for an amazing experience from all the friendly and...

This is a long review so I'll try and break it down a bit.

Which shark and ray centre to visit?: We tossed up between this place and another shark and ray centre in the area. Ultimately, we decided to go here and don't regret our choice. While I can't comment on the other attraction, we certainly enjoyed ourselves here. Prices were fairly comparable between the two parks with the options we were looking at, so our decision was based primarily on which park we thought was more humane based on pictures and reviews alone. I'd encourage anyone reading this to similarly inform their own choice.

Which ticket type?: I definitely recommend purchasing a discovery pass, which gives you wetsuit hire and allows you to get a bit closer to the sharks and rays. While you could still enjoy yourself with a basic entry ticket, I felt that we had more opportunity to get up close with the sharks in particular, and especially the big shovel nose ray in the shark tank which you wouldn't be able to touch without a wetsuit because it only swims in the deeper water. We didn't do any of the encounters, but from what we observed I don't necessarily see the value in them and we didn't feel like we were missing out.

What time to visit?: I'd recommend heading to the park first thing in the morning. We booked for 10.20am, and found that by that time the park was already getting a bit busier. Although still not too busy, we definitely noted a peak between 10am-2pm. After 2pm it got a lot quieter. Also, by lunch time some of the sharks were feeling either pretty full and not eating the food offered, or had had enough human attention and had gone into hiding.

How long?: The park isn't big and you could easily get through it in around 2 hours, but we ended up spending a good 4 hours or so there as the kids just loved being able to pat the sharks and rays, so we regularly went back and forth between the various tanks, which wasn't a problem.

The staff: All the staff were friendly and knowledgeable, and their scheduled talks were informative. They're engaged in their work and passionate about what they do. All the animals looked well cared for and the enclosures were clean and...

Our visit to Irukandji was nothing short of amazing! From the moment we arrived, the staff welcomed us warmly and made us feel at ease. As a parent, safety was my top priority, and I was reassured by the professionalism and enthusiasm of the staff throughout the day.

Activities We Enjoyed:

Shark Snorkelling: The shark snorkelling experience was exhilarating and educational. We had the opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures up close in their natural habitat, guided by knowledgeable staff who ensured our safety at all times.

Shark Feed: Watching the shark feed was a highlight for my children. It was fascinating to see how the sharks interacted during feeding time, and the staff provided interesting insights into their behaviour and role in the marine ecosystem.

Little Ray Cuddles: The little ray cuddles were a hit with both my children! They loved getting up close and personal with the gentle rays, learning about their unique features and feeling their smooth, velvety skin.

Staff and Service: The enthusiasm and professionalism of the staff truly made our experience memorable. They were patient with the kids, answering their curious questions and ensuring they felt comfortable throughout each activity. Their passion for marine conservation was evident in every interaction.

Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Irukandji is perfect for families looking to bond over a shared love of marine life. The facilities were well-maintained, and the activities were designed to be educational yet accessible for children of all ages. It was a joy to see my children so engaged and enthusiastic about learning.

Recommendation: I highly recommend the Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounter to families visiting Port Stephens. It's a fantastic opportunity to learn about marine conservation while having fun with hands-on activities. Whether you're snorkelling with sharks, feeding them, or cuddling rays, the experience is sure to leave a lasting impression on both children and...