Shark Dive Xtreme Melbourne Aquarium
Shark Dive Xtreme Melbourne Aquarium
Shark Dive Xtreme Melbourne Aquarium
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Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Shark Dive Xtreme Melbourne Aquarium
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4.0
74 reviews
Excellent
45
Very good
15
Average
6
Poor
3
Terrible
5
Hayley Pridham-Thatcher
Melbourne, Australia187 contributions
May 2022
My husband was given this for his 30th birthday and loved every minute of it.
The staff were incredible even helping us through the crowd with our grandmother who was in a wheel chair.
Every thing about this experience and the customer service was incredible.
You must do this at least once 5/5 stars
The staff were incredible even helping us through the crowd with our grandmother who was in a wheel chair.
Every thing about this experience and the customer service was incredible.
You must do this at least once 5/5 stars
Written 24 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Terry M
Stawell, Australia49 contributions
Dec 2017 • Solo
I would certainly recommend this to people wanting to have their first scuba dive. The pre- dive safety briefing is comprehensive, the instructors are attentive and you are with some beautiful fish, rays and sharks.
However if you have dived before you will find this experience far from "extreme" and far closer to frustrating. The only reason you have flippers on is for the visiting public to take pictures of a fully equipped diver because you are not allowed to swim or even stand. Either pulled along by an instructor or made to kneel or crawl along the bottom the feeling I had instead of excitement was that I was being embarrassingly arranged for a few posed photographs.
However if you have dived before you will find this experience far from "extreme" and far closer to frustrating. The only reason you have flippers on is for the visiting public to take pictures of a fully equipped diver because you are not allowed to swim or even stand. Either pulled along by an instructor or made to kneel or crawl along the bottom the feeling I had instead of excitement was that I was being embarrassingly arranged for a few posed photographs.
Written 18 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tracy M
Melbourne, Australia39 contributions
Oct 2019 • Family
Got this shark dive for myself as a half century birthday present, and I loved every second of it. James did the briefing at the beginning, which was cute. He did a great job of keeping it light but informative. Nikki got us kitted out and gave cheery encouragement. Then into the tank with Caitlyn doing photos and filming.
Damo was our guide and instructor under the water, and was totally fab. Everything was looked after so that all attention could be focused on the experience of being in the water with the beautiful sea life. It’s true that the ‘diver’ is moved and placed and never actually swims, but this is a well oiled machine that has to cater for every capability, and I’m lazy, so it bothered me not one bit.
There were only 2 of us on the dive, and both had scuba experience, so we got a tad longer in the tank.
It was so amazing being underneath the massive rays and in amongst the sharks and grouper fish. Loved it and just wish it was longer.
Maybe next stop will be whale sharks out at Ningaloo reef??? 🦈
Damo was our guide and instructor under the water, and was totally fab. Everything was looked after so that all attention could be focused on the experience of being in the water with the beautiful sea life. It’s true that the ‘diver’ is moved and placed and never actually swims, but this is a well oiled machine that has to cater for every capability, and I’m lazy, so it bothered me not one bit.
There were only 2 of us on the dive, and both had scuba experience, so we got a tad longer in the tank.
It was so amazing being underneath the massive rays and in amongst the sharks and grouper fish. Loved it and just wish it was longer.
Maybe next stop will be whale sharks out at Ningaloo reef??? 🦈
Written 15 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Niall D
Melbourne, Australia1 contribution
Apr 2014 • Couples
There was nothing extreme about this dive - if you could even call it a dive. We spent about 15 minutes kneeling on the bottom in front of the viewing window like circus clowns on view for the other visitors on the outside. The positions they put you in make it very difficult to see any of the marine life in the aquarium and certainly not the sharks. If you are an experienced diver you spend the first 1/4 of the dive either waiting for others who are not, or proving that you can clear your regulator and mask. They then have the hide to try and charge you an extra $55.00 for photos of which most are not of you anyway. Don't waste the extra money and just look from the outside.
Written 22 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lee b
Melbourne, Australia1 contribution
Aug 2016 • Couples
I took my partner there for a adrenalin dive for our anniversary, at the end I saw my photo's of the dive they were average so I purchased them anyway, when it was time to receive them they were someone else's, so I asked them where are mine they told me they couldn't find them, then then told me there was nothing they could do I requested a manager and got the same response. I sighted the photos at the start so I can't understand how they can be losed ???? Even if they were deleted the could do a system retrieval. The gave me no benefit to redo the dive at half price or reduce price just told me nothing they can do and I'll need to rebook at full price if I wanted photos. Great anaversary experience thanks a lot for my memory ill never forget your attitude as a business, there were athers with the same experience - DONT GO THERE.
Written 27 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
annielou777
Melbourne, Australia57 contributions
Sept 2015
the staff weren't terribly helpful
had to wait around for an hour before the pre dive talk was given
then because my daughter could not pop her hears she could not do the dive
but still had to pay full price
i had concerns regarding the enclosure of the huge crocodile at the aquarium
tiny enclosure huge animal
should be relocated
had to wait around for an hour before the pre dive talk was given
then because my daughter could not pop her hears she could not do the dive
but still had to pay full price
i had concerns regarding the enclosure of the huge crocodile at the aquarium
tiny enclosure huge animal
should be relocated
Written 27 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Glenn O
Melbourne4 contributions
May 2013 • Solo
Avoid this dive like the plague. A sausage factory for non-divers (even though website says certified divers) we were just herded and prodded around the tank which, despite the enticing name of the activity, had practically no sharks!!! (They were all over the other side behind plexiglass). Takes a very long time to get into the tank too as they teach newbies how to dive, so family and friends waiting to take photos of the divers have to wait ages.We were forced to lie on the bottom while they posed us for photos. Overpriced and a dud.
Written 21 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Blueberry711
Albury, Australia46 contributions
July 2018 • Couples
My husband and I did this experience together this morning. We were both non - divers and anxious about our experience but confident it’d be excellent as we’d watched YouTube videos of the experience beforehand.
We arrived at opening and were quickly greeted by a lovely girl who’d obviously “made the introductory speech” a lot! There was the obvious mention about how busy they are and how many other people were booked in after us so the message was literally “get in, get it right and get out” so we don’t miss our lunch break! :-/
After a 45 min safety briefing we were handed wet suits and booties - being a bigger girl my wet suit was constricting, suited up with breathing equipment and walked to the big tank where we were all taught by another young lady (who was rather abrupt and unfriendly) how to breathe under water, unblock our ears and get water out of our goggles under water. We were put in flippers (which we never used as we weren’t allowed to kick or swim)? My husband and I both initially freaked out with the breathing techniques as we’d never scuba dived before but you get the impression that they couldn’t care less about putting your mind at ease and showing a little empathy or allowing you more time to get the hang of it. We soldiered on and eventually we’re more confident.
Platform one was understandable but like an under water waiting room! Not sure why we had to lie there for 10 mins like sardines? We were escorted to the bottom where we were paraded in front of the public and asked to wave at them, we didn’t have family watching and the view from the bottom wasn’t great as 90% of the action goes on above your head but you can’t look up unless you wanna drown with the water that enters your mask!
The instructors pose u and take really bad out of focus photos and there’s another instructor outside taking photos on a mobile phone!
Another platform for another ten minutes and we’re all still waiting for some action then they got us to kneel in front of a concrete wall in the under water walkway like show ponies for the public? We’d already stated we didn’t have family there so that wasted some time where we could’ve been experiencing the fish - like we came there to do!
Next we were being quickly escorted out of the tank... our time was over but I think we saw less of the animals than what we would’ve had we stayed dry! Once we were out we were hurried into the showers and out the door rather abruptly.
Overall a good experience to learn to scuba dive but NOT to swim with sharks! Or the other animals as you can’t really see them nor enjoy your experience due to their need to parade you around to the public.
The photos we had the option of buying were very poor (we’re Photographers!) and they’re of everyone in your group not just you. Also you can’t save them or download them even though you pay for digitals!
Be weary, there are other cheaper and longer scuba dives for beginners available on red balloon!
We’re not sorry we did it but there was a lot of parading around. You’re not allowed to touch the animals or move about, it’s very regimented and staff lack empathy for any person struggling to get the hang of breathing under water. I dare say someone will get seriously injured one day!
We arrived at opening and were quickly greeted by a lovely girl who’d obviously “made the introductory speech” a lot! There was the obvious mention about how busy they are and how many other people were booked in after us so the message was literally “get in, get it right and get out” so we don’t miss our lunch break! :-/
After a 45 min safety briefing we were handed wet suits and booties - being a bigger girl my wet suit was constricting, suited up with breathing equipment and walked to the big tank where we were all taught by another young lady (who was rather abrupt and unfriendly) how to breathe under water, unblock our ears and get water out of our goggles under water. We were put in flippers (which we never used as we weren’t allowed to kick or swim)? My husband and I both initially freaked out with the breathing techniques as we’d never scuba dived before but you get the impression that they couldn’t care less about putting your mind at ease and showing a little empathy or allowing you more time to get the hang of it. We soldiered on and eventually we’re more confident.
Platform one was understandable but like an under water waiting room! Not sure why we had to lie there for 10 mins like sardines? We were escorted to the bottom where we were paraded in front of the public and asked to wave at them, we didn’t have family watching and the view from the bottom wasn’t great as 90% of the action goes on above your head but you can’t look up unless you wanna drown with the water that enters your mask!
The instructors pose u and take really bad out of focus photos and there’s another instructor outside taking photos on a mobile phone!
Another platform for another ten minutes and we’re all still waiting for some action then they got us to kneel in front of a concrete wall in the under water walkway like show ponies for the public? We’d already stated we didn’t have family there so that wasted some time where we could’ve been experiencing the fish - like we came there to do!
Next we were being quickly escorted out of the tank... our time was over but I think we saw less of the animals than what we would’ve had we stayed dry! Once we were out we were hurried into the showers and out the door rather abruptly.
Overall a good experience to learn to scuba dive but NOT to swim with sharks! Or the other animals as you can’t really see them nor enjoy your experience due to their need to parade you around to the public.
The photos we had the option of buying were very poor (we’re Photographers!) and they’re of everyone in your group not just you. Also you can’t save them or download them even though you pay for digitals!
Be weary, there are other cheaper and longer scuba dives for beginners available on red balloon!
We’re not sorry we did it but there was a lot of parading around. You’re not allowed to touch the animals or move about, it’s very regimented and staff lack empathy for any person struggling to get the hang of breathing under water. I dare say someone will get seriously injured one day!
Written 28 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tan2802
Melbourne, Australia68 contributions
Sept 2016 • Solo
I got the dive for a present! Booking process very easy. Arrived on the day had my induction with a young girl she was great and very excited for us doing the dive! Explained it all very well. Came to dive time I was very anxious about the breathing part of it all. But my dive guide I think his name was Terry he was so calming and patient with me, made me feel at ease and was with me the whole way through the dive! I almost backed out at the start but he got me through. So a huge thank you to Terry. The whole experience was cool the fish just swim around you and 1 of the Rays was very friendly came over to see us and sat on our hands. I felt very safe. I got a bit cold towards the end but that is all part of it. Was a great experience thank you to all especially a Terry!!!!
Now I'm going to SA to do a cage dive with the big boys Great Whites....
Cheers guys great time had after I got over my mini melt down.....
Now I'm going to SA to do a cage dive with the big boys Great Whites....
Cheers guys great time had after I got over my mini melt down.....
Written 12 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
angelina9
melbourne38 contributions
May 2016 • Family
I organised a shark dive for my 18 year old son. We first had an shark dive attempt but he wears prescription glasses. I bought prescription goggles but he couldn't use them. So we were able to postpone for another day once I bought a prescription mask. We came back today and again he could not do the shark dive as he could not blow through his nose to clear the mask. I understand that it is a safety issue that he needs to be able to clear his mask so he hasn't got any issues when he is down the bottom, but couldn't they check that on first dive. So I have wasted more than $200 on a shark dive, $16 for car parking x 2 times, $60 prescription goggles, $60 prescription mask, more than $100 entry for a family of 6 (only paid once). The staff are very friendly and helpful. My only advise is don't assume that you can do the dive if you have the money. I would of been happy for my son to swim along the surface for the duration of the time that the other divers were down the bottom. There were 3 divers and 3 instructors. They could of paired up. But instead one swam with Tyler for 5 minutes (he said 10 minutes) then said he had to join the others on the bottom. Very disappointed. So many frustrated people (not just me) trying to find there way around the aquarium. It is not straight forward. The maps don't help. Who designed the building? Not very customer friendly.
Written 15 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Looking for a gift certificate for my son in law 40 th birthday/ he has mild asthma is that a problem? Very fit person and a qualified surf life saver
Written 19 July 2021
Looking for a gift certificate for my son in law for his 40th - in Melbourne. He had suffered from very mild asthma - is this a problem? Very active person and a qualified surf life saver.
Written 19 July 2021
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