Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters

Fantastic experience: Excellent experience! Educational and fun. The staff are friendly and helpful.

Fantastic experience: We spent the whole day here and we had a fantastic day we will be back i advise to get the wetsuit to fully enjoy your day ❤️

Fantastic experience: I promised myself I must not forget and do this review bcd I rarely leave them. My teenage children and I visited on July 2025 and were welcomed with a series of thoughtful alterations to meet our tight schedule. Beginning with accommodating our private shark swim on a short notice , followed by accompanying us with professional care throughout the whole experience. Plus getting discounted ticket rates. The activity of shark swimming (not in an aquarium tank) is an uncommon experience solely reserved to this park thanks to their inventive implementation of this magical encounter concept. The pools were transparent clean, the animals vibrant and healthy, the park team were first and foremost caring towards their animals which should be the basis of encounter park etiquette. We enjoyed immensely, this family owned, one of a kind experience. Thank you Irukandji.

Fantastic experience: i love stingrays!! they're my favourite underwater creature so this experience was perfect for me. The guys (both human and ray) in the Ray pools were very friendly and educational. Really enjoyed the talk at 12:20pm, learned lots of new things. I didn't know Rays could asexually reproduce! I really liked that the feeding is included in the price, it was very nice to just get handed more food unprompted. Most places would charge extra for that. Anyway good experience overall and I LOVE STINGRAYS!!!

Fantastic experience: Amazing experience! Staff are lovely and welcoming. Animals are interactive and beautiful. So relaxing entering the water with them moving around you. Highly recommend, better than I imagined

Fantastic experience: We had a great time. Very interesting and the staff were very helpful and knowledgeable, especially Bailey. Thoroughly recommended!

Fantastic experience: Emotionally magical, even a little magical. From the first dip, wading into the lagoon with rays gliding beneath your feet and sharks swimming curiously around, the experience feels like gentle ocean companionship. The animals are unusually friendly—rays are playful and seem to come for pats, and zebra sharks feel more like new pals than wild creatures. What truly shines is the staff. Passionate, patient, and ready to share stories of each creature, they elevate the experience with warmth and knowledge. Kids and adults alike light up when they hear the sharks' names or feed them with provided sticks—never hand‑fed—creating memorable connections. Crowds can peak during school holidays, making feeding sticks in shallows quickly get claimed, but advance bookings help avoid disappointment. Those who suit up swim even closer—watching rays swirl at ankle level, kids squeal with delight, and families bond over these small moments. Notes of criticism appear now and then—some visitors felt the environment a little staged, or food for feeding was too sparse during busy times —but many others would recommend it as a highlight of their Australian travels .

Fantastic experience: What an amazing experience! Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters completely exceeded our expectations. The staff were so welcoming and knowledgeable. Getting up close and personal with the rays and sharks was absolutely unforgettable my kids were in awe the entire time. It was both exciting and educational and we all walked away having learned so much. The animals are clearly well cared for and the entire experience felt very safe and respectful of the marine life. Such a unique and memorable day we’ll definitely be back!

Fantastic experience: Great place, very nice staff and wonderful animals, so friendly ! We really enjoyed the day there, especially the tropical pool with the sharks. The water was not cold with the wetsuit so it is worty even during the winter. Thank you

Fantastic experience: Our three children had such an amazing time and learnt so much at Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters. The staff were incredibly passionate and knowledgeable and took the time to talk to us about the animals and their important work. We had to leave because we had another booking but were kindly given the option to return before closing. The kids didn’t want to leave at all. Such a wonderful experience. If we were more local we would definitely be buying annual passes. Highly recommend this place.

Negative experience: Over-priced. We had 5 teens to entertain who very quickly got bored. The acoustics are so bad that we couldn’t hear anything the guide was telling us about the sharks. So a bit of a waste of time for us.

Fantastic experience: There is an outdoor and an indoor pool. The indoor pool is warm even in winter. Highly recommend visiting. The sharks and rays are very friendly and inquisitive and would swim up to you. It's quite a magical experience.

Fantastic experience: Fantastic place the staff are lovely and very informative. We learnt so much in the short time we were there can’t wait to come back.

Fantastic experience: The whole family had a fantastic hands on experience with the assortment of sharks and rays. Staff were very friendly, informative, enthusiastic and helpful which made the overall visit well worth it.

Fantastic experience: My partner and I had a surprisingly good time at the shark and stingray encounter. Looked a bit small from the outside but bigger than we thought. Highly recommend forking out a little extra to hire the wet suits cause being in the midst of the sting rays was the highlight. Special mention of Zuzu who brought great energy to our experience.

Fantastic experience: We had a wonderful time at the aquarium! The experience of paddling stingrays and having a shark sit on our legs was truly amazing—something we'll never forget. Not sure why some people say there are not many sharks or stingray at the tropical lagoon, we met many of them and they swim around us just like pets! We also had the chances to feed the stingray and sharks (no extra cost) while waiting for our reserved experiences. BTW I totally understand why you have to make reservation in advance, because their friendly guides spend a lot of times to share information about these marine animals and make sure all of our questions are answered. The staff and owner were so friendly, helpful, and clearly care deeply about the animals. Their warm and welcoming attitude really made our visit extra special. Thank you for such a unique and memorable experience! 特別感謝一位會說中文的保育員, 特別照顧小朋友, 也很貼心地希望我們可以有充分的體驗. 希望下次有機會再造訪這裡!

Fantastic experience: Awsome experience, knowledgeable friendly staff who run the place well. Kids loved it, interactions with many different rays and sharks. Will definitely be going again.

Fantastic experience: My husband and I did the Little Ray Cuddle. It was so fun! A staff member sat in the shallow with us and as she fed the stingrays they literally sat on our laps. I was impressed with how friendly the stingrays were plus how knowledgeable our staff member Micaela was. I highly recommend and would do it again in a heart beat!

Fantastic experience: this place is so well set-up. it's very interesting and informative. children and adults alike would learn a lot about sting rays.interaction with the rays is so cool

Fantastic experience: This was a fantastic opportunity to be interactive and up close with sting rays and sharks. We got to feed the animals and touch them. The staff were very passionate, proud and informative on their talks on these creatures. I learnt a lot of interesting information. If you are keen, (i wasnt), you can get in the water with the sting ray, sharks and turtles. This place exceeded my expectations and I would go back again. There is plenty of parking and easy to get around. There is even space to take a picnic lunch and sit in the grounds.

Fantastic experience: I had another activity booked for the day that was canceled because of weather. The Shark & Ray Encounterswere still open, so I checked it out. So happy I did. The place is small and unassuming but the experience i had was one of the best yet! All because of the way the staff is and how they run everything. I payed for some snorkeling experiences. Everything was upfront and covered. Didn't have to pay extra for anything else. The staff was super friendly, personable and played back. I felt like I was just hanging out worth friends the whole time that knew SO much about marine life. These guys love what they do and it shows. I swear, you learn more from chatting it up with mates then you do from sitting and listening to experts rifle off facts. I learned do much. I got to sit and feed stingrays and sharks. Stingrays were sitting on my lap and even blowing me kisses underwater. One even sucked on my pinky toe. Sharks felt like sand paper and were not intimidating to swim with at all. I could have stayed and hung out with the rays all day. 1 (of many) fun facts I learned are that stingrays are smarter then dolphins.and they have soo much character and personality it blew my mind! Go and check it out for yourself. ZOOZOO (probably spelled wrong) was then man and the one assisting in feeding the rays. Again top notch, so much fun and I'm happy that my other plans were canceled and I found this place! WHOOP WHOOP!

Fantastic experience: Great experience and friendly staff! Zuzu was very knowledgeable about the stingrays and had a great show with lots of facts!

Fantastic experience: This place is absolutely AMAZING! Great work they do saving these animals. Staff are super friendly & knowlageable. Highly recommend

Negative experience: $91 to visit but value for money compared to the one in bobs farm just couldn’t compete. There’s two active pools with sharks or stingrays, and two tiny tubs with more stingrays and that’s the whole joint. Wish I knew so I didn’t waste my money or time.

Fantastic experience: It was so much fun. Me and my kid had a fantastic time. The sharks were a good introduction to the place. Then, it was time for the shark talk. It was very fascinating to hear about. After the shark talk, we went to the temperate lagoon. My child loved the temperate lagoon. He fed lots of stingrays. One even went on my child's lap. 5 stars, no doubt.

Fantastic experience: My son and I had the best time great people loved it best birthday present every

Positive experience: Was a really good day out. We did the wetsuit upgrade and had plenty of time in the tanks with the sharks and stingrays. We cuddled so many stingrays and fed so many different species. I wish the beautiful turtle and big rays came out but that's animals for you they pick and choose don't they. We had a really good day and can't wait for the next phase or upgrade to come.

Fantastic experience: I highly recommend this for families or anyone looking to learn about sea creatures. The keepers we met were so caring and passionate about the animals and taught us what foods and products to avoid to be more sustainable. It was a highlight of our trip to the area.

Fantastic experience: 10 out of 10!!! I absolutely love this place! All the sting rays and sharks are so adorable . The staffs are very friendly. I love how they don't force all the animals to show up to the guests if they don't want to. It's a good place to spend time with your partner or family.

Fantastic experience: Amazing facility, staff and inclusions with the general entry pass!

Fantastic experience: Absolutely fantastic experience. Great welcome, staff were all really friendly and welcoming. Rays were just lovely and to have them swimming around and over you was incredible. Really good half days entertainment and education. Great value for money too.

Fantastic experience: Absolutely loved the experience, worth every single cent!! Highly recommend the discovery pass :)

Fantastic experience: my partner and i went yesterday and ended up snorkelling with the sharks. the lady at the front counter seriously went above and beyond to make us comfortable, even going as far as sizing us ourselves. as a bigger girl it seriously meant the absolute world to me :)). couldnt recommend enough

Fantastic experience: My partner and myself visited this beautiful centre yesterday and absolutely loved every minute of it. We pre booked a little ray cuddle for midday but decided to come up earlier so we could explore the park before our booking time. When we arrived we were greeted by a super friendly staff member who explained the different processes that we could be involved in throughout the day. It’s really important to remember when booking that this place isn’t sea world, it is a peaceful rehabilitation centre where you can interact with some beautiful creatures and learn about their species and conservation. We were not disappointed at all. All the staff that we encountered throughout the day were beyond friendly and extremely knowledgeable. Due to the fact that we had booked an experience, we were given wetsuits to put on when we first arrived. We were a bit sceptical at first because it was a very hot day and we were worried about wearing them for the next couple of hours but it was completely worth it. We were able to sit in the water with both the sharks and the stingrays and interact with them further than other patrons who were not in wetsuits. So highly recommend upgrading to wetsuits for a more personal experience with the animals. All the animals loved coming over for a gentle pat and even spent a lot of time in the shallows so other patrons without wetsuits were also able to feed and pat them. All in all we had an amazing time at this centre and enjoyed learning about the conservation and protection of the animals whilst being able to interact with them one on one as well. Definitely recommend visiting outside of school holidays as it is far less crowded, at times we were the only people interacting with the animals which made the whole experience so much more one on one and personal. Thank you so much team!

Fantastic experience: Truely wonderful! The experience was amazing! The staff are kind, knowledgeable and the animals are looked after well. If you want a life enriching experience give this ago. I will 100% be attending again.

Fantastic experience: Totally loved this experience. So good to be up close touching and feeding small sharks and stingrays. Good fun for all ages, though it could work out expensive for a family. The staff who give the talks are very knowledgeable and make it all the more interesting. I learnt a lot.

Fantastic experience: Staff was so good, helpful and hillarious. They were very kid friendly and very kind to us, who were first time did the snorkel with sharks and stingrays so we were quite skeptical and scare, but we really enjoyable after all and really want to come back. The sharks and stingrays were very friendly and it well suited for kids. Make sure if you bring your kids you would be with them.

Negative experience: We visited Irukandji about 2 years ago and we had a great experience. There were lots of stingrays and we could go in the water, feed and pat them. That's why we came back. But this time we left a bit disappointed. We bought general admission tickets for a family of 5 which I thought is quite overpriced to pet a couple of small stingrays and a couple of small sharks. Although the staff were really nice and knowledgeable, there were to many rules.. firstly when they were doing the talk we couldn't step in the water, then when feeding started we had to go to the side of the pool were there weren't any stingrays because we didn't pay for the wetsuits. So we went to the shark centre and again there were only 3 small sharks and one small stingray that weren't very hungry. My kids couldn't sit in the water and were told they need to wear a tshirt (it was a really hot day). Management needs to be a bit more flexible with their customers. We found that the experience this time was overpriced and not very exciting. Wouldn't recommend.

Fantastic experience: A highlight of Port Stephens and the team do phenomenal work in rescue and rehabilitation of the local marine life injured. The new facility is slowly coming along, but even at this stage the experience with the marine animals is wonderful. The team of marine biologists are more than happy to share their knowledge and educate you. I have been here three times already and will come back for many more, happily supporting the facility.

Fantastic experience: An amazing time feeding the rays and being helps ex with over coming my fear of sharks.

Fantastic experience: 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 well maintained.

Positive experience: We bought general entry and kids enjoyed feeding the sting rays. Shark feeding wasn't that great. The person talking couldn't be understood because of the poor sound quality and acoustic in that space. There is a small play space, cafe.

Positive experience: It was worth visiting this place. I enjoyed swimming with sharks and sting rays. You get feed them and pat them too. Kid friendly. Booking in advance is recommended.

Negative experience: We came here on a recommendation over another centre in the area. What is offered on the website is somewhat different to my experience today. We paid the extra for the discovery pass, which in reality gives you a wetsuit. The shark experience was not an experience, we stood feet deep into the water for 15 mins whilst they talked about sharks and that was it, we managed to catch a glimpse or two of the bigger sharks. The other side was full of people not on the discovery experience feeding the sharks, which meant us in the water did not get to even see one let a lone feed them. It was very disappointing. The stingrays, again we sat on the edge of the water and listened to a speech about stingrays which is fine but much of the info talking about chip shops and other products we had already heard. We then went to feed the stingrays but personally I felt there were far too many people there, the rays just sauntered past us with only a few of us managed to stroke them and actually get close. Again, a little disappointed at this. Finally we walked round the shop at the end, we wanted to know the price of the blue turtle bags, the lady on the tills was on the phone talking to what sounded like a friend/family member, it was not a booking, after a few mins we just left and that was that. This was an over expensive trip out. For kids it's probably great but adults it's not one bit exciting and I would not return.

Fantastic experience: My kids loved snorkling and swimming with shark experience. They also loved feeding experience. All staff were profeasional and helpful. It was January Sunday but still not crowded at all. Highly recommend a visit.

Fantastic experience: Love this place. It’s so special to get up close with such incredible creatures. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly and the animals are clearly well cared for and respected.

Fantastic experience: Our experience at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters was incredible!! Such a memorable day. Everyone who we spoke to was so helpful and kind, special shoutout to Holly, Shana, Noah and Ryan who made our visit so special. 10/10!!

Fantastic experience: Was such an amazing experience, I didn't expect the animals to enjoy being petted so much. Holly at the desk was amazing, and all the guides super informative and passionate. Great day out, especially for my mates 30th birthday!

Positive experience: I visited during the school holidays on December 27 and had booked a 2 PM ticket. However, it was raining in Nelson Bay in the morning, so we couldn’t hike up Tomaree Head. We decided to go to see the rays and sharks earlier instead. Luckily, the staff were kind enough to let us change to an earlier session since it wasn’t too busy. We only purchased the basic ticket. In the first pool, we could get up close and even touch the rays while the staff fed them, which was quite fun. Next, we visited the shark pool, where we could only watch the sharks swimming inside the tank. It might have been more exciting if we had purchased the “dive-in” tickets.

Positive experience: Great place for children and families. This is not a pool or aquarium, but there's live fish, sharks and rays swimming at your feet. The talk presenters are extremely knowledgeable - you will learn a lot!

Fantastic experience: Great family day out. Got to pat sharks (big and small) and stingrays. Grandkids loved it. Staff were friendly, informative and helpful. Check out numbers there. We went on New Year’s Day so less people which meant more involvement. Remember to take your own food and snacks.

Fantastic experience: What an amazing experience for both adults and kids. I am so deeply grateful to all employees for their kindness and knowledge. It was heartwarming to hear them speak about the animals with such love and dedication. Kids will love this, but please teach them to be gentle and calm around the animals. Great opportunity to learn about marine life. We purchased the Pass + Discovery ticket for around 70 dollars per person, with which we got access to put on a wet suit and be closer to the animals. More or less than that may not be worth it, to me this was perfect. I highly recommend!

Positive experience: Firstly, the venue itself is quite spacious, which is great for a leisurely day out. However, I found that the activities offered were somewhat limited. The kids had a fantastic time feeding the stingrays and sharks, which was definitely the highlight of our visit. That said, I was a bit disappointed with the visibility of the sharks in the tropical lagoons. They seemed to be quite stable and not very active, which made it hard to fully appreciate their beauty. The videos we had seen prior to our visit set our expectations high, but the reality was a bit different. One piece of advice: definitely make a booking before you go. We encountered some frustration when we were told to come back on another day despite having made an online reservation. This was quite inconvenient and dampened our enthusiasm for the visit. In terms of value for money, I felt that the price paid didn't quite match the experience, especially considering the limited activities and the visibility of the species.

Fantastic experience: Such a fantastic experience! The staff are so kind and dedicated. Wonderful conservation efforts. Conquered my fear of sharks! Will be visiting again!

Positive experience: Adequate.. but only 1 activity open at a time.. so too many people.. also lots of waiting for the workers to load the feeding sticks.. not as good at the base price as the shark and ray place 5min away at Bob's farm.

Negative experience: Extremely Disappointing Experience!!! I recently visited Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters, and while the customer service was okay with helpful staff, my overall experience was thoroughly disappointing. The pools were very small, and there were only a few rays to view. After feeding the rays, we eagerly anticipated the shark show, but to our disbelief, there was nothing to see. We wasted 20 minutes listening to irrelevant information when all we wanted was to see something exciting for our children. Unfortunately, we got nothing. I’m relieved I didn’t pay extra to wear a wetsuit just to sit in a pool where no one could actually enter the water. It felt like an absolute waste of money. Overall, my visit was far from enjoyable, and I left feeling like my time and money were wasted. I would not recommend Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters to anyone seeking a quality experience.

Fantastic experience: An amazing upfront, interactive experience with the sharks, turtle and rays. You can feed, swim and touch them all. Leo was a wealth of information and a pleasure to talk to. This is an amazing place to bring children to see, touch, feed and learn about the sea creatures. Definitely a five star experience

Fantastic experience: We did the ray cuddle. Such a great experience. Everyone was very friendly and made it a great day out. Don't miss out on this experience if you are in the area.

Fantastic experience: Such amazing experience loved how interactive the staff are and how close we got to the sharks and sting rays

Fantastic experience: Fantastic experience Feeding and patting sharks and rays. Definitely worth upgrading to the wetsuit package which allows you to get in deeper with the fish

Fantastic experience: Amazing park to visit, highly recommended. The staff are super friendly and the talks are very informative. The kids loved feeding the skarks and stingrays. A must visit tourist attraction

Fantastic experience: Not only were the staff extremely inviting but they full of information and helped build confidence for us first timers. The animals seemed extremely happy and well looked after. The price is a little high but I imagine so is the cost of keeping a place like that with good equipment. My daughter and I raved about it the whole way home.

Positive experience: I really snuggled to decide how to write this review Facility - 4 star Ryan - 5 star Advertising points such as knee deep encounters - 0 star (your barely ankle deep on the $40 encounter) Designed for children - adults holidaying who love the ocean and wildlife this is not for you. You stand there patiently waiting but parents push children in and you feel guilty not wanting to take away from them but the sacrifice is you don’t get a pat. Snorkel adventure is the only way you can go deeper than ankle deep but that’s at a significantly higher cost. When all the children move to the next encounter - the walk in zone is closed off for everyone leaving us with nothing to do.

Fantastic experience: A must do tourist activity. The staff are soo friendly and nice. There are many options - you can wear wet suit and go deeper and closer to the stingrays and sharks. But if you don't want to, you can just go knee deep and you can pat and feed the sharks and stingrays! There's also a shark informative show (on at certain times of the day) and there's also eels and a huge turtle by the name of Patty. Definitely worth going to and putting on your bucket list.

Fantastic experience: Very cool place to see and feed animals. If your not a fan of going to the wild to encounter marine animals, this place allows you interact with them in a safe environment. You can feed and pet the animals, even the shark if your fortunate enough. Best to go during non peak hours as the animals are more hungry and likely to approach

Negative experience: I love what they are doing here. I was a little disappointed. Unless you buy a package where you can get in a wetsuit, then it’s hard to get a chance to touch anything. We got basic entry passes to be able to stand with our young kids. There is only one section you can stand with the stingrays (they were mostly on the side where you had to be in a wetsuit) we were told we couldn’t stand there, so we didn’t get to touch or see anything in the first section because they didn’t come to our side. In the sharks section we seen and touched 1 stingray and 1 small shark before we were all asked to get out ($120 for 2 adults and 2 children). Very little encounter opportunities for a large price

Fantastic experience: Brilliant experience. Walked straight in to the centre and purchased an entry pass. The sharks, rays and turtle Patricia are absolute cuties and staff were friendly and happy to answer all of my questions. Inside, you get to pet and feed the animals, although as a note, the walkway between the sharks and rays gets super hot in the summer. Great to hear how the centre is involved in conservation efforts for animals such as the zebra shark too

Fantastic experience: Wow!! My family and I had an amazing few hours at the centre where we listened to passionate staff give informative talks and demos on the all the residents. I recommend minimum day pass plus discovery with wet suit to get the most out of your visit. We also did the reef shark snorkel which was unreal! Absolutely loved it. This is a great experience for anyone looking for a different interactive experience with marine life. I cannot believe why you would leave a negative review unless your expectations are some big aquarium with unsupervised animal petting ( not what is advertised) If so then this experience is not for you. This is such a special place for marine /animal conservation enthusiasts to get involved with the work done by a fantastic team at a manmade lagoon caring for rescued sharks , rays, and turtles. We will remember our time here as a one in a million experience. Thank you to all the staff. It was a pleasure to be part of what you do. T

Fantastic experience: Such an absolutely AWESOME experience! The staff were incredible, so knowledgeable and helpful, the facilities were amazing and the animals seemed so happy. I would THOROUGHLY recommend a visit if you’re in the area.

Fantastic experience: We had a great time, the staff are amazing and knowledgeable. They are all so invested in the conservation of the marine life. The ability to feed and touch the sharks and stingrays was our highlight.

Fantastic experience: We visited Irukandji on a Sunday and purchased the Gold Pass, allowing us to do everything. I was incredibly impressed by the professionalism and enthusiasm shown by every single staff member. When arriving we were greeted by a lovely lady on the front desk and shown through to the wetsuit area. The man there was helpful and knowledgeable, nothing was too hard. Once outside we watched a few shows and fed the animals. The keepers we so passionate about their animals and it showed. The funny stories and anecdotes were a fantastic touch. We snorkelled with the rays and turtle, fed the zebra sharks and then fed and swam with the nurse and white point sharks. It was an unforgettable experience, coupled with incredibly knowledgeable and caring keepers. All of the areas were clean, in good repair and well looked after. The animals are their priority, and rightly so. If an animal was in danger or irritated, people were asked to move or stop the activity they were doing. If you are there to experience these animals and learn about their plight, you won't find anywhere more passionate or helpful. It's very apparent in every person you speak with. I highly recommend visiting Irukandji, even if you just drop in for the cheapest options. You will learn a lot and see some amazing creatures!

Fantastic experience: We did the gold pass which had all three encounters and it was amazing. I was a bit apprehensive that it wasn't going to be good value but it definitely was. The staff are passionate about their jobs and the animals and we're happy to share their passion. They have ambitious plans to expand with many more exhibits so we'll definitely be back in a couple years.

Fantastic experience: I went with some friends the other day, to start with the staff are all so amazingly friendly and helpful. The tanks are all so beautiful, so well maintained. The animals are all so very loved. I learnt so much about the animals I was once quite scared of. I did a shark snorkel experience and all I can say is WOW! everyone needs to go andsee this absolute gem. I can't wait to go back to visit in the future. Can't wait to see how the place evolves. Loved every second, worth every cent.

Positive experience: Was ok, not very big and not alot to do unless you pay for the full priced packages to swim with the sharks and stingrays because you get priority over other visitors. There was a sea turtle though, that was pretty cool $121 for family entry is a bit steep considering there's not much to do.. wouldn't go again.

Fantastic experience: I cannot overstate how much I enjoyed my visit to irukandji. What an incredible experience, one that I am not likely to forget. We only paid for the entry pass so we could only go into the shallow water, but honestly I feel like that was amazing, and when you consider your ticket prices also go to maintaining this place and conserving the animals, I don't actually think it's too expensive. Next time I come I will definitely do the wetsuit so that we can go deeper! The team were incredible and had a wealth of knowledge, which I appreciated hearing and enjoyed their passion for the animals that they worked with. Everyone we spoke to was really kind and knowledgeable. Feeding the animals is also a really amazing experience, and we even got to watch them feed the sharks after the show. All in all, if you like ocean wildlife, you will like this place. Totally absolutely awesome. Really enjoyed the gift shop at the end as well!

Fantastic experience: Boys and I had a blast. Great experience. The staff were amazing, very friendly. Patient and friendly towards kids which was awesome.

Fantastic experience: Our entire family was absolutely blown away by this experience! From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by staff who were not only incredibly knowledgeable but also passionate about the animals. They took the time to engage with us, happily answering every single one of my son's endless questions with patience and enthusiasm. What made this place even more special is that it’s family-owned and operated by people who genuinely care about the well-being of the fish. Their dedication to conservation was evident in everything they did, including limiting the number of visitors to ensure the fish were not stressed. It’s rare to see such a true commitment to preserving marine life. The experience left such an impression on our kids that they haven't stopped talking about it since. We were deeply moved by the staff’s devotion and the opportunity to learn so much about these incredible creatures. If you're looking for an enriching, hands-on encounter with marine animals, this place is truly unmatched!

Positive experience: I’m giving this 3 stars because the kids had a good time. Overall the experience was very different from both what we experienced and what was advertised. In fact I’d go as far as saying the advertising is misleading For the $41 you only get to go in ankle depth and ankle depth is basically the edge of the pool. So you stand at the edge where there’s no sealife. The animals are in a little bit deeper. The only saving grace was the smaller pools with baby rays in them Basically it’s two swimming pools. One with sting rays and one with sharks. There are a few smaller pools but they have high ledges so not great for kids. We held ours up to see Seems like a money grab. Step 1 step in the water and any deeper you have to pay $30 per person

Fantastic experience: An amazing experience. The guides and staff are so knowledgeable and respectful of all the animals in their care. You can get up close and personal with some really cool and rare creatures. Highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: Great place, lots of different sea creatures to pat & feed, including sharks, baby and adult rays, and giant eels; friendly and knowledgeable staff. Highlight of my day was the the huge fish with very-very kind eyes and scary teeth :)

Negative experience: Expensive waste of money We were told to get our own feeding sticks in which case they gave us a small piece of meat to feed very uninterested small rays. The 2 eels did not move . There were very few rays to view . The talk was long with no resulting activity. Up to the shark area where we listened for over 20 minutes to a whole lot of unimportant information. Everyone gathered to waters edge for another 20 minutes whilst he continued to discuss the rules and how to manage sharks in an attack . Then everyone was dismissed from waters edge and the area closed off. I am so glad I didnt pay the 190 $ to put a wet suit on to do absolutely nothing. The visibility is poor , considering no one can actually enter the water . Absolute waste of money that I could have spent on a lovely lunch for my family . To say I'm disgusted is an understatement. Cannot say how completed disappointed I feel after attending this rip off place.

Fantastic experience: We completed the 3 dive experience. It was amazing! So easy to understand all the rules and where we had to go - all organised so well. Sheree was our wildlife person and she was so knowledgable and kind. We did our snorkels, and then were able to learn more about the animals and conservation, which was really interesting. Such a beautiful place, highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: Had an absolutely awesome time. Put it on your list when visiting the area. The rays are so fun, playful and make you feel like a big kid. Highly recommend getting the wetsuit so you can walk around in the water (and not worry about getting clothes wet) and sit down, it makes for a great interaction. Will definitely visit again when in the area.

Fantastic experience: We had an incredible time visiting Irukandji Manta Ray. The team was knowledgeable and passionate about marine life, making the experience both educational and fun. The opportunity to interact with rays up close was truly unforgettable! The staff took great care in ensuring the safety and well-being of both the visitors and the animals, and their commitment to conservation is inspiring. Highly recommend this place to anyone interested in learning about and connecting with marine creatures. A must-visit for families and nature lovers!

Fantastic experience: We called yesterday on our way to Port Mcquarrie having arrived from Ireland. Our two grandchildren had a wonderful time. One of the children had said he was never coming to Australia again as it's too far. But after our visit to Irukandji he wants to come and live here and become a marine Biologist. So a big thank you to all the team for all your enthusiasm for the Ray's and Sharks, and for the brilliant experience we had as a family

Fantastic experience: Amazing experience complimented by the friendly and enthusiastic staff. We learnt a lot about sting rays and shark from this trip

Positive experience: Great centre with plenty of information on sharks, rays and some other fish. The feeding experience is also great. Just be mindful that whatever the guides might say, the rays do try nibble toes when you are feeding them. One nibble was deep enough to draw blood from my toe.

Fantastic experience: Phenomenal experience. The staff were wonderful and we got so much value for money. We would visit again. Was very cool being able to touch the stingray and sharks. The kids loved it.

Fantastic experience: Highly recommended for all ages! You get to pet and feed the rays and small sharks, check the flying baby rays, learn about them (alcohol covering, coarse skin...)...wow A humbling experience, as you realize how smart and adaptive these wonderful creatures are

Fantastic experience: 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 adults alike.

Fantastic experience: Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters offers an unforgettable experience for marine life enthusiasts. The hands-on encounters with sharks and rays are both thrilling and educational. The staff are passionate and knowledgeable, providing fascinating insights into the lives and conservation of these incredible creatures. The facility is well-maintained and provides a safe environment for both visitors and marine animals. Suitable for all ages, it's a fantastic family outing. The interactive sessions allow you to feed and touch the animals, making for a truly immersive experience. Overall, Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters is a must-visit destination for a unique and memorable adventure with marine wildlife. Highly recommended!

Fantastic experience: It is an unexpected treasure! We loved getting to see, feel, and experience so many different types of creatures! The staff are knowledgeable and friendly. We can't wait to come back!

Fantastic experience: Great experience for the kids (7 and 9 year old). Managed to feed and touch sharks and the Rays. Really The ray presentation was interesting and informative. Oh might be good to bring your own socks. Else they sell them for $8/pair. We had to remove our shoes whilst in the park and it was a tad uncomfortable for the kids. Kids are not used to walking around barefooted.

Fantastic experience: Visiting for the June long weekend , two families of four. We had a blast! The kids absolutely loved feeding and patting the stingrays and sharks . Thought we would only spend a short time here but couldn’t get the kids to leave. Staff were so informative and super friendly. We learnt so much as well as had the best time here. Would thoroughly recommend to anyone with kids ( even teenagers ) , they all haven’t stopped talking about our visit here. Thank you for all that you do to make this such a wonderful experience .

Fantastic experience: Beautiful little encounter and conservation place. You can have loads of fun feeding the little and big sharks and Sting rays. I would recommend to use the wet suit option as that will allow you to encounter the sharks and sting rays from close by. There are two lagoons wherein small lagoon placed outside is cold water and full of sting rays which eat food from your hands and give u a surreal experience. The internal lagoon has large sharks and variety of marine fishes with some sting rays who are difficult to feed from ankle depth water so recommend to take the experience. Also do listen to the talks of sting rays and sharks and stand in the middle to enjoy the touch experience.

Negative experience: Staff were absolutely rude especially the worker Cherie in the shark talk. False advertisement telling us we were able to pat the sharks but would not let me and my child pat the shark but would let the other people pat the shark. I paid $100 to go in there AND pat sharks when i told the worker no sharks liked being touched she said “ our sharks loved being patted “ then i said then why won’t you let us pat it. Absolutely disgusting behaviour from the worker Cherie the only upside was the worker at the front. Never going again.

Negative experience: First time to visit. Most of the staff were friendly. However, the experience was ruined by confusion and a couple of rude staff during the shark encounter. Would recommend to save your money for better activities. Purchased the package online and despite arrived at the meeting point 15 mins earlier than the chosen time we still needed to be in queue with the walk-in to get the receipt printed. So no point to purchase tickets in advance. Introduction was only a looped video on a tiny screen. Could not see much when a group of people standing in front of you. By the time we got to the entry gate we were only being told the shark encounter was about to start… My ADHD kid got upset with a couple of rude staff in the shark encounter as he was repeatedly threatened to be kicked out if his pants touched the water (despite tried hard to keep him standing in the shallowest water behind the many people feeding the few sharks, and hoping there would be a chance to encounter anything…). Trainings should be provided to staff to improve communication skills with young child. Also same as the review by ‘Matt Berenger’ 3 months ago there was just way too many people allowed in a session. Not sure if it is one of the ways to get more people to pay the extra. After the ‘’encounter’’ we went back to the entry gate and asked about the package we purchased. The staff checked our receipt and said wet suit should be provided (well, it would be good if the reception staff could mentioned when printing out the receipt, and/ or staff at the entry gate could checked the receipt before rushing us to the shark encounter). Anyhow though too late but at least my kid was provided with the wet suit for part of the sting ray talk…which people basically just standing shoulder to shoulder listening to a person talking…and kid just could not listen for long. We were very disappointed with the experience and left early.

Positive experience: My son had a great time feeding and touching the animals. We did the little ray cuddle as an extra activity, the guide was very friendly and told us a lot of interesting things about the rays. All in all I think it was a good experience though I also found it a bit expensive for what it was (the extra activity).

Fantastic experience: It's a great family place to visit the staff are very nice and are very knowledgeable will go again when in the area again.

Fantastic experience: cool place and definitely worth it for the experience. My son and daughter who aren't overly risk takers were patting the sharks and rays with the guidance of the lovely staff which says it all.