Updated in October 2026, this Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, accessibility and what to see.
Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters is an interactive aquarium at 2 Jessie Road, Anna Bay, in Port Stephens, New South Wales. You can feed and pat sharks and rays from the shallows, or upgrade to a wetsuit encounter or a snorkel. You can book through GetYourGuide before you travel. As of October 2026, the Irukandji Entry Pass costs $41 for adults, and upgrades start from $50 on top of entry. The centre is not related to Port Stephens Animal Adventures at Bobs Farm.
Quick facts for Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 2 Jessie Road, Anna Bay, New South Wales 2316 |
| Opening hours | Open every day, 9:00 to 17:00 |
| Irukandji Entry Pass, adult | $41 |
| Irukandji Entry Pass, child (3 to 14) | $25 |
| Irukandji Entry Pass, concession | $35 |
| Family entry (2 adults and 2 children) | $122 |
| Discovery Encounter | Entry Pass plus $50 |
| Annual Pass | From $140 |
| Parking | Free on site |
| Typical visit | At least two hours |
| Phone | (02) 4982 2476 |
Why book Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters tickets?
- 🦈 Over 100 species: You share the water with sharks, rays, eels, turtles and fish.
- 🤿 Snorkels with sharks: You can snorkel with white-tip reef sharks and tawny nurse sharks over 3 metres long.
- 🐢 A conservation purpose: Every ticket supports Sea Shelter, the on-site rescue and rehabilitation centre.
- 🧸 Small-group encounters: Encounters run in groups of four to six people with a keeper.
- 🎟️ Booking avoids missing out: The centre has a maximum capacity and often sells out in holidays.
Ticket prices for Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters – and how to book
All prices are in Australian dollars. Each experience below is an upgrade added to the Irukandji Entry Pass.
| Entry Pass | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | $41 |
| Child (3 to 14) | $25 |
| Concession | $35 |
| Family (2 adults and 2 children) | $122 |
| Family (2 adults and 3 children) | $147 |
| Family (4 adults) | $154 |
| Experience (add to Entry Pass) | Extra cost | Minimum age |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery Encounter (self-paced, no set time) | $50 | All ages |
| Zebra Shark Encounter | $65 | 3 |
| Little Ray Cuddle | $65 | All ages |
| Zebra Shark Snorkel | $65 | 6 |
| Coastal Currents Snorkel | $80 | 12 |
| Reef Shark Snorkel | $80 | 12 |
| Reef Shark Encounter | $90 | 12 |
| Turtle Conservation Experience | $150 | 6 |
| Package (add to Entry Pass) | Extra cost | Minimum age |
|---|---|---|
| Mini Elasmo Pass | $95 | 3 |
| Double Snorkel | $125 | 12 |
| Elasmo Encounter Pass | $160 | 12 |
| Gold Pass Mini | $160 | 6 |
| Triple Snorkel | $165 | 12 |
| Gold Pass | $190 | 12 |
| Ultimate Elasmo Pass | $300 | 12 |
Every package and encounter includes the Discovery Encounter. The Winter Elasmo Special runs only from 1 May to 21 September. Annual Pass holders receive a free Discovery Encounter each visit and 50% off other encounters and snorkels. You can book through GetYourGuide before you travel.
Opening hours for Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters
The centre opens every day from 9:00 to 17:00. Weekday and weekend hours are the same. Encounters and snorkels run at set session times, so check your session time when you book.
| Day | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Sunday | 9:00 to 17:00 |
How to get to Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters
The centre is at 2 Jessie Road, on the corner of Nelson Bay Road and Jessie Road. By car from Newcastle, follow the signs to Nelson Bay and pass through Salt Ash. About ten minutes later, turn right at the third roundabout onto Jessie Road. From Nelson Bay, follow Nelson Bay Road for about ten minutes and turn left onto Jessie Road.
Parking at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters
Parking is free and plentiful on site, with space for vehicles of all sizes. Disabled parking spaces are near the front door. Most of the car park is unmarked, so park sensibly.
How long to spend at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters
Allow at least two hours, because most visitors stay that long. Entry is valid all day. Encounters and snorkels add session time, and a package can fill most of a day.
Accessibility at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters
The centre is wheelchair and pram friendly, with accessible pathways throughout. It has disabled parking, accessible toilets, a baby change table and warm showers. Entry Pass visitors can pat and feed animals from the shorelines of the lagoons.
Ask the team before you book if you want to join an encounter, because wetsuits and water sessions need planning.
What to see at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters
The Entry Pass shallows. You feed and pat sharks and rays from the shoreline, with keeper-supervised feeding sessions through the day. Remove your shoes and socks to paddle in the shallows.
The Tropical Lagoon. This warm indoor lagoon is home to zebra sharks and other tropical animals. Encounters and snorkels here use a wetsuit.
The Reef Shark Lagoon. White-tip reef sharks share the water with 3-metre tawny nurse sharks. You can wade in for a hands-on feeding or snorkel above them.
The temperate lagoon and Little Ray Cuddle. Rays and stingrays live on the reef of the temperate lagoon. The Little Ray Cuddle is a small-group encounter that suits all ages.
The Discovery Encounter. This self-paced, all-day upgrade puts you in a wetsuit beyond the shoreline. It is keeper supervised but not keeper guided.
The Turtle Conservation Experience. You meet a resident sea turtle, and profits support the on-site Sea Shelter turtle rescue and release centre.
Sea Shelter. The marine rescue, rehabilitation and research centre is based at Irukandji. Every ticket helps fund its work.
Practical visitor tips for Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book ahead | The centre has a maximum capacity. Book tickets in advance to secure your date and any encounter session. |
| Dress for your ticket | For Entry Pass only, wear shorts and bring a towel. For any wetsuit experience, bring swimwear or spare underwear to wear under the wetsuit. |
| Skip your own wetsuit and water shoes | Only the provided wetsuits are allowed in the lagoons. Wear reef-friendly sunscreen only. |
| Bring a lock for the lockers | Lockers are available, but you must bring your own lock. |
| Pack a picnic | The centre sells only light snacks, and a picnic area is on site. |
Frequently asked questions about Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the opening hours? | Every day from 9:00 to 17:00. |
| How much does entry cost? | The Irukandji Entry Pass costs $41 for adults and $25 for children aged 3 to 14. Upgrades are added on top. |
| Do I need to swim? | No for encounters, which are in shallow water with an aquarist. Snorkels need basic water confidence. |
| Is this the same as Port Stephens Animal Adventures? | No. Irukandji at Anna Bay is a separate business from Port Stephens Animal Adventures at Bobs Farm. |
| Do I need to book in advance? | Walk-ins are accepted, but advance booking is recommended because the centre often reaches capacity. |
Things to do near Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters
Birubi Beach: A surf beach at Anna Bay at the edge of the Stockton Bight sand dunes.
Worimi Conservation Lands: A huge coastal dune system known for sandboarding and 4WD tours at Stockton Bight.
Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary: A koala conservation centre with a canopy walk at One Mile near Anna Bay.
Oakvale Wildlife Park: A wildlife park with Australian animals at Salt Ash in Port Stephens.
One Mile Beach: A long surf beach on the Port Stephens coast near Anna Bay.
Alternatives to Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters
Port Stephens Animal Adventures: An indoor wildlife attraction with sharks, rays and crocodiles at Bobs Farm.
Australian Reptile Park: A reptile and wildlife park at Somersby on the Central Coast.
Hunter Valley Zoo: A small zoo at Nulkaba in the Hunter Valley.
Blackbutt Reserve: A bushland reserve with native animals in Newcastle.
Port Stephens dolphin cruises: Boat trips from Nelson Bay to see dolphins in Port Stephens.
More New South Wales travel
Other New South Wales travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Bago Maze visitor guide: What to expect at Australia’s largest hedge maze.
- Mid-North Coast beach guides: Burgess Beach in Forster.
- What to expect at the Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary on the Central Coast.
- How to visit Fitzroy Falls in the Southern Highlands.
- First time visitors’ guide to Symbio Wildlife Park near Wollongong.
