Port Stephens: Croc Swim Experience

This is the most complete experience Port Stephens Animal Adventures offers, and it runs for around three hours from the time you enter the water.

Arrive any time from 9am. Check in at reception to collect your wristband and lock in your Macaw experience time. Spend the morning exploring the venue at your own pace. The animal care team is around throughout if you have questions or need help with anything. Visit the touch pool, meet the reptiles with Hugo, wander through the farmyard, bring a picnic and relax.

At 1.45pm, your dedicated guide gets you fitted out with a rashie, mask and snorkel. Everything is provided, though you are welcome to bring your own gear. Your guide stays with you for the entire water experience.

The first part of the swim happens in the main aquarium building. You are in the water with Rosie the leopard shark, a family of adult tawny nurse sharks, and Bruce the Queensland grouper, who is working his way toward 400 kilograms. These animals come in on their own terms, drawn by the feed, and are free to move away whenever they choose. Your guide manages the whole session.

From there you move across to the new crocodile enclosure. Your guide takes you through to view the baby crocodiles and the juvenile saltwater crocodiles from the platform & in water before the main event.

Then there is Rocksteady. You step into the water with a thick glass panel between his enclosure and yours, swimming in the same circulating water. Your guide is with you the whole time. You can dive down and come eye to eye with him through the glass, or stay at the surface. Coming face to face with a 4.8 metre, 800 kilogram saltwater crocodile, even through glass, is not something most people have words for straight afterwards.

Your guide captures the whole experience on waterproof cameras and footage is uploaded to the cloud for you to access afterwards. If you would prefer your footage not be used in marketing, let the team know on the day.

The full Mega Ticket is included, giving you all day access to the aquarium touch pool, reptile encounters, the Macaw experience, turtle feeding and the farmyard. Two tubs of shark and ray food and your choice of a souvenir stubby holder or t-shirt are included too.

Showers are available on site for a fee, purchasable at reception, and large unisex bathrooms are there for changing. Bring a towel. Waterproof cameras and GoPros are welcome. On your way out, check in at reception to set up your twelve month return pass to the Shark, Ray and Reptile area and leave your email for access to your footage.

Family and friends who want to watch can join with a Shark, Ray and Reptile Ticket. If they book a Mega Ticket, they are also welcome to join you for the Macaw experience and turtle feeding.