Cage Diving with Great Whites in Bluff - New Zealand

Did you know you can cage dive with Great White Sharks in New Zealand? Neither did we until we found Shark Experience Bluff!

New Zealand has got incredible views, winding coastal roads, and heart-pounding adventures. So why not take it all in by hitting the road in a campervan? Cruise around the South Island's breathtaking landscapes, and top it all off with an epic thrill—cage diving with great white sharks in Bluff!

Swimming with great white sharks is something we had both wanted to tick off our bucket list for a while. But we wanted to make sure we did it with a company that had the welfare of the sharks in mind. We travelled down from Christchurch through the stunning landscapes of New Zealand (Middle Earth), from pristine lakes to rugged fjords and charming small towns, to arrive in Bluff, the closest town in New Zealand to the south pole. We were there purely to share the water with some of earths most beautiful predators the Great White Shark.

The Cage Diving Experience

Bluff is a small town at the south end of New Zealand, often used for a cargo shipment port. But we were here for something a little different—great white sharks.

We stayed at the Bluff Lodge & Guesthouse which allows campervans to stay in the carpark. They provide cooking facilities a lounge room and WIFI. At a cost of just $30 a night its the perfect place to stay. It's just a 5 minute walk to the meeting point in the morning so it's perfect for travellers heading to see the sharks.

We arrived at the shopfront at 6:30am and met the dive team. We boarded the boat and set off into Foveaux Strait. The water in some parts only goes to 18m deep here so the waves can get quite choppy and it takes approximately an hour to get to the dive site. Bring sea sickness medication if you are prone to feeling queasy.

Once anchored at Motunui Island the sea water was calm and relaxed, the crew chum the water with small amounts of fish to draw in the small fish round the boat. This activity entices the sharks who can sense the fishes bio electricity and come to investigate. After about two hours at 10:30am we spotted our first shark.

So that everyone gets a glimpse of the shark we got in the cage for five minutes and then it rotates to the next person until everyone has seen a Great White. Then it is a queuing system, with people getting out of the water when they get too cold as the water sits at around 15°C. Although you're able to return to the cage as many times as you want.

The sharks come and go from the boat for the majority of the day, enticed by the activity in the water. So there is more than enough time to see the sharks, we were lucky enough to see four different sharks the largest of which reached about 4m in length! But even his size pales in comparison to some of the larger females they get later on in the season, reaching up to 6m! The cage is bolted onto the rear of the boat at surface level with a 2m fence around to top of the cage so that the shark cant get in from the top. Since the sharks are not being fed, the likelihood of them leaping out of the water and injuring themselves on the boat is minimal.

There's free tea, coffee and soup on board and once the cage has been raised out of the water and everyone is satisfied with their shark viewing experience they serve lunch on the deck of the boat. All the wetsuits and equipment is provided on the day. When to Go

Great white shark season in Bluff runs from December to June, with the highest chance of sightings from February to April. Since New Zealand’s summer and early autumn offer great road-tripping weather, this was the perfect window.

Do i need to be PADI Certified?

You can definitely go cage diving with the Shark Experience team without your dive certification but it will cost you more as they have to give you a small induction before you dive. Another option is to be a designated spotter.

An amazing company

As a protected species, there are very strict regulations regarding cage diving. Only one company is permitted to offer this experience, and they are prohibited from feeding the sharks. Consequently, the sharks approach the boat out of curiosity. They came close to the boat checked us out for a while, circled the boat a few times, and then departed.

Feeding sharks can make them more agitated and aggressive, which could lead to them hurting themselves on the cage. We weren't comfortable supporting companies and practices where the sharks can injure themselves on the cage. The cage we used had just a small viewing gap, and the rest was covered with thick mesh to keep sharks from getting their head stuck. This was very important to us before we booked this trip. It's crucial to do your homework before going cage diving with Great Whites, because in many other countries, the rules are not as strict, and the cages are not be designed with the sharks' welfare in mind.

That's why it's absolutely essential to choose a reputable company like Shark Experience Bluff! They entice the sharks to the area by feeding the small fish around the boat, drawing the curious sharks in for an up-close encounter. By the end of the day, they send all the incredible photos and recordings of the sharks to the government, contributing to the tracking and research of these magnificent creatures.

The staff were incredibly helpful and extremely knowledgeable, making the whole day an unforgettable experience.

The Importance of Shark Conservation

A lot of people fear sharks due to films like Jaws which is one of Spielberg's biggest regrets about said film with how it caused a sharp decline in shark populations. Which is why tours like this are so important to teach people about these magnificent animals.

Seeing these creatures up close shows people just how important it is to protect them. Great white sharks are vital to ocean ecosystems, yet they face threats from overfishing and habitat destruction. Responsible tourism like this helps support conservation efforts.

What's the 'No Shark Sighted Policy'

If you're unlucky enough to not see a shark during your time on the boat you can return at no extra cost to try again. So plan to book it as early in your trip as possible so you have availability to rebook at a later date.

Would We Do It Again?

Absolutely! This was one of the highlights of our time in New Zealand, and we're so glad we found such an amazing company to do it with.

If you’re looking for the ultimate New Zealand adventure, this is it. The journey around the South Island is filled with stunning landscapes, epic activities, and unforgettable moments. And cage diving in Bluff? It’s the perfect way to end on a high note.

Tips

Seasickness prevention: The waters off the coast of Bluff heading over the Foveaux Strait can be rough, so taking motion sickness tablets in advance was a lifesaver.

Underwater camera: Bringing a waterproof GoPro was a great way to capture the experience! If you book early you can rent a GoPro off Shark Experience.

Would you dare to dive with great whites? Let us know in the comments!

If you'd like to know more about our New Zealand trip or see more videos of the sharks visit our Instagram.