SHARK BAIT HOOO HA HA!
I was heading to Australia in February, so I put Sea Life Sydney Aquarium on my list of things to do. I researched and saw they had a Shark Dive attraction that visitors could do. According to their website, if you purchase tickets ahead of time, it’s $239* for the weekday and $299* for the weekend. Both include all-day admission into the aquarium exhibit itself.
*prices may have changed from 2020. Check their website for current pricing.
Being deathly afraid of sharks, I surprisingly have been free-diving with sharks up North Shore two years ago. Since then, I have been more open to facing my fears and doing similar activities. Living on Oahu all my life, I grew up to respectfully admire the ocean and the life it holds. Aquariums became my thing to experience wherever I travel.
Well, the day finally came when I landed in Sydney. I was in Bondi for the first few days before heading to Sydney Central Business District (CBD). Then, I checked into my hotel, which ended up across the street from the aquarium. The next day, I woke up and walked right over. I told myself that if they had openings, I would jump in. And they did…so I paid for everything, signed the forms, and that was that.
So the Dive Begins…
Four o’clock came around, and I was waiting at their designated meeting place. I was nervous, but what surprised me the most was actually how peaceful I felt. Two girls were waiting to go on the dive as well. That gave me a bit of reassurance that I would not be the only one. Next thing you know, our diver came to get us and led us to the exhibit.
We went through the exhibit to where the office and shark tanks were. They introduced the dive team we were going in the tank with and got us started on what to expect. After signing more liability forms, they review the informational video that shows you a brief background of the sharks and the tank itself. Then they go over the gear we will be using, how to use it, and what to do in the water if we need something since we can’t talk to communicate.
Time to Gear Up
I was given a wetsuit and shoes to change into. Once everyone was suited up, we went to the shark tank area! The divers take you into a small enclosed tank where the sharks are. We then get further instructions on the scuba diving gear, ensure everything works correctly, and know how to use it properly. Then, we entered a small training tank that was an enclosed area so we could learn to breathe properly and make sure our masks fit. They also teach you how to equalize your ears, which is very important when diving. After this is finished…into the tank we go!
Introducing: Grey Nurse Sharks
What’s neat about this whole experience was the information I got from it. Inside the tank are five Grey Nurse Sharks, a massive stingray, and many other fish and smaller sharks. Nurse sharks are the main attraction and range between 8 and 11 feet in size. Mind you, there are 5 of them in the tank. These species are intimidating, however they are quite frankly gentle (as much as a shark can be) creatures.
These sharks normally don’t threaten swimmers and divers and, surprisingly, live in shallow, inshore waters. Due to their living situation, though, they are easily killed by overfishing, pollution, and entrapment. This brings me to an important fact: they are the first shark species ever to be protected. Yes, they are listed as Critically Endangered; there are less than 400 today.
What’s great about this aquarium is that it helps with shark conservation movements. Nurse sharks cannot reproduce as quickly as they are being killed. They are only known to reproduce once every two years. Furthermore, their program breeds the sharks and releases their pups into New South Wales waters.
Being Inside the Tank
FREEZING…that’s how cold the water is first off. Secondly, speechless and nerve-racking just leaving the safety of the training tank into the actual tank – which is very spacious for all the life inside. I was the last one to get in the tank, but let me tell you kneeling there was overwhelming.
To see everything right in front of me was a lot to take in at first, but then I adjusted. Sea life is very comfortable having people inside; they are not afraid of you or know what personal space is. They WILL swim right up to you. I mean I had one whack me in the back of my head while I was focused on the other one that was swimming in front of me.
This was the closest I have ever been to a shark while being in the water. Not once did I feel scared or uncomfortable. They keep swimming circles around, and time in the tank goes by quickly. I found the whole experience to be very therapeutic.
I SURVIVED
Honestly, if you are not comfortable being underwater, I would not participate in the dive. Though you are in a controlled environment, with multiple experienced divers inside and outside the tank watching you and the sharks, you still can’t be in a position to panic and freak out. However, if you are ok with facing your fears, I highly recommend making time for this. No scuba diving experience is required, but it got me planning on getting my certifications to go on more adventures under the sea.
Till the next adventure!
