Rodney Fox Liveaboard Overview

Great white sharks—need we say more? Imagine diving with one of the world’s most feared (and likely misunderstood) predators under the guidance of a man whose reputation precedes him. Rodney Fox is arguably the world’s best-known survivor of a shark attack. Over the past six decades, Rodney, his son Andrew, and a business partner have worked hard to allow divers and non-divers alike a chance to encounter great white sharks for themselves.

The Rodney Fox liveaboard offers its guests the chance to see these awe-inspiring predators from the safety of a shark cage. Following a shark-first approach, the team shares their passion for the sharks and introduces their guests to the great white’s habitat around Neptune Island in South Australia.

This is not your typical liveaboard trip—expect an expedition lasting between three and seven nights—or join one of the extended special trips planned every year.

Read on for our detailed review of the Rodney Fox.

Where to book

Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions vessel anchored near a coastal hillside with a crew member on deck

PADI TravelSecure online booking Divebooker.comFree DAN insurance

Diving on the MV Rodney Fox

A great white shark approaches divers inside a cage during a Rodney Fox expedition

A great white shark swims over a kelp-covered reef near the Neptune Islands

Dive gear room aboard the Rodney Fox with hanging wetsuits and tanks ready for use

The MV Rodney Fox offers year-round trips to the Neptune Islands. Itineraries differ in length depending on the season. While your chances to see great white sharks in this area are good all year, the crew has found that December and January as well as mid-April through June have the greatest reliability of sightings.

Note though that September, October and, more recently, February have brought the largest numbers of sharks—so there’s really no bad time to go. October tends to have the clearest water, making it a favorite with underwater photographers. Speaking of photography, older male sharks measuring up to 13 feet (4 m) tend to be most curious and happy to approach the cages and cameras more closely.

Mature female sharks can be even larger, growing up to 16 feet (5 m). Although impressive to see and undoubtedly the highlight of many trips, females tend to be more cautious and are therefore harder to capture on camera.

The MV Rodney Fox welcomes divers as well as snorkelers. To view the sharks, guests don’t necessarily need to get in the water but can choose to watch them from the top deck. In addition, the vessel offers a surface cage for non-divers.

Certified divers will most likely opt for the ocean-floor cage. While the Neptune Islands are a natural habitat for great white sharks, the team does use a natural tuna mix to attract the sharks and increase the chance of sightings.

On many Rodney Fox trips and expeditions, guests can also swim or dive with Australian sea lions, either at the beginning or the end of the trip. October to April is the best time for shore excursions or remote beach exploration. When water conditions don’t allow for that, the team uses its brand-new tender to explore the seal colonies and shorelines as closely as possible.

Depending on the season, guests may also see other shark species, including bronze whaler and mako sharks. Moreover, it’s not uncommon to see different types of rays during dives in the ocean-floor cage.

Highlights:

Observe great white sharks from the top deck, surface cage, and ocean-floor cage
Chance of swimming or diving with sea lions
Tender for shore excursions in these remote islands

Onboard the MV Rodney Fox

Wood-paneled bunk cabin aboard the MV Rodney Fox with a ladder to the upper berth

Great White 1 cabin aboard the MV Rodney Fox with a made-up bed and ensuite door

The MV Rodney Fox promises ‘three decks of loveliness,’ and while the 104-foot (32 m) vessel is equipped to be comfortable, it’s important to remember that this is an expedition boat rather than a luxury vessel.

In total, the Rodney Fox accommodates 18 guests in a total of nine cabins. Six of those cabins are located on the top deck. With a lower-level queen bed and a single bunk, they are ideal for sharing. Each cabin has a TV and individually controlled air conditioning, and each bed is equipped with its own reading light.

On the lower deck, there are two additional cabins with a set of single bunk beds. Just like the top deck cabins, these twin cabins feature TVs, AC, and reading lights. The most luxurious cabin is the master suite on the top deck. This cabin has a double bed and AC. Plus, it’s the only cabin that has an ensuite bathroom.

Single- and twin-bed cabins share four showers and five toilets, so no one will need to wait too long to brush their teeth or rinse off the salt water.

On the upper deck, there is plenty of space for shark viewing during the day or stargazing at night. The dive deck is equally spacious, allowing all guests to get ready at the same time if necessary.

Highlights:

Top deck master suite with ensuite bathroom
Stargazing and surface shark-watching opportunities from the top deck

Dining on the MV Rodney Fox

Lounge area aboard the MV Rodney Fox with a wall-mounted TV, bar counter and fruit bowl

A crew member in a Rodney Fox shirt briefs guests seated in the saloon before a dive

For many liveaboard fans, the dining experience is a huge part of their trip. On the MV Rodney Fox, guests can even watch their kitchen team at work, thanks to an open-plan salon and galley.

All meals are served buffet-style, allowing guests to help themselves to as much food as they need. The team serves a range of Western-style meals and is happy to cater to dietary restrictions. As always when diving from a liveaboard, let the operators know about any restrictions or allergies ahead of time.

Aside from the main meals, complimentary snacks, including fruit and biscuits, are available all day. Tea, coffee, and water are included in the trip price. The crew also serves a selection of soft drinks with every meal. Additional beverages, beer, wine, and mixed drinks can be purchased from the ship’s bar.