Snorkelling with rays in Anna Bay feels unreal. At Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters, the Coastal Currents Snorkel lets you experience Port Jackson sharks and huge stingrays in Fingill Lagoon, with guided food and education along the way.

I especially like the mix of close-up contact and structured guidance, so you are not just hovering in the water hoping for the best. The hands-on feeding and petting sessions, plus the staff-led animal talks, make it easier to understand what you are seeing and how to stay calm around large animals.

One key consideration: this is lagoon and aquarium-based, not open ocean. If you are after wild, free-swimming conditions with tons of space, the controlled habitat and crowding around feeding can be a letdown for you.

Key highlights worth your time

• Up to 10 people in a small group, so staff can actually help you in the moment
• 30 minutes of deep-lagoon snorkel at a set time, including the deeper part of Fingill Lagoon
• Wetsuit, snorkel gear, and souvenir socks included, which saves you hassle and packing
• Feeding and petting with shark food plus staff animal talks for real learning
• Meet well-known residents like Port Jackson sharks, black cod, and rocket rock cod
• First-time snorkelers welcome, as long as you are a confident swimmer

Coastal Currents Snorkel in Anna Bay, what you are signing up for

This is a guided snorkel experience inside the Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters facility in Anna Bay (New South Wales). The core of the experience happens in Fingill Lagoon, where you suit up and swim in a natural-style setup designed for animals to move freely around you.

You are not just watching from the edge. You are in the water, with staff on hand and shark food involved, which changes the whole vibe. In practice, that means you are more likely to get repeated close encounters with rays and other marine residents instead of only a single quick sighting.

It is also worth knowing what this is not. This is not an open-water, ocean-swell snorkel. Some people love that it is calm and structured, while others want the feeling of being out in the sea. Keep that in mind before you book.

Your 150-minute flow, from wetsuit to deep-water snorkel

The total experience runs about 150 minutes, with a set-time snorkel segment in the lagoon. Plan to arrive on or before your booked time, because you will not be the one choosing when the 30-minute deep-water entry happens.

You typically get two parts to the day: time for lagoon exploration in the shallows and reefs, then the main snorkel window where you move into the deep areas of Fingill Lagoon. The shallows/lagoon time is flexible for you, and the overall experience is long enough that you are not rushing the whole way through.

Equipment is handled for you. You wear the wetsuit and use provided snorkelling gear, and you also get wear and keep souvenir socks. That matters more than it sounds, because it reduces the friction for first-time snorkelers and keeps the whole experience moving smoothly.

Fingill Lagoon shallows and lagoon reefs, where the animals come close

Before the deep-water snorkel, you spend time in the lagoon shallows and across both lagoon reefs while still in your wetsuit. This is where the experience starts to feel personal, because rays and fish are often easier to spot and interact with in the shallower sections.

The purpose here is simple: you get comfortable in the water, learn the basic routines, and see how the marine life uses the area. Staff are there for personalised attention, and that can make a big difference if you are nervous about being close to sharks or large rays.

Also, this time is not just drifting. You can expect informative animal talks and opportunities to engage with what you are seeing through feeding and petting. One review specifically called out the fun factor, along with staff passion, which matches what this early phase is built for: letting you relax, then turning it into learning and interaction.

The 30-minute deep-lagoon snorkel, stingrays in the deeper water

The main event is the snorkel over the deep areas of Fingill Lagoon, and it lasts about half an hour. That timing is set, so you want to feel ready when the moment arrives, not still adjusting gear or second-guessing your comfort level.

This is also where the experience makes good on its promise of seeing larger rays up close. The overview highlights huge stingrays, and that is the part people usually remember most because they can glide under and around you when conditions are right.

There is even a hint of an additional element in the deep water, described as an incredible surprise coming soon. They do not spell it out in the information you get, so treat it as a bonus if it is running during your visit, not something you should plan around.

If you want the short version of the value here: the experience reserves the best animal action for a specific window so you are not just wandering around hoping your timing lines up.

Marine life you will actually learn something about

The experience is built around familiar species you can name and talk about afterward, not vague sightings. You are told about animals like port Jackson sharks, black cod, and rock cod (including a rocket rock cod reference), all in the natural habitat style of the lagoon.

That may sound like marketing language, but the practical benefit is that the animal talks give you context. When staff explain behavior, feeding patterns, and how the animals move, you notice more than just shapes in the water.

One review mentioned loving the rays that came in during the feeding session, including rays with resident-style names such as Lydia and Dumpling. Even if you do not focus on names, it helps to remember this place has specific animals that repeat throughout sessions, so the encounters can feel more like meeting characters than passing strangers.

And yes, there is an aquarium component in the broader facility. That is part of why this experience can be so controlled and comfortable, but it also explains the complaint from one reviewer who felt the habitat did not feel connected to open sea conditions.

Feeding and petting, how interaction works in the lagoon

A big part of what you pay for is the interaction, especially feeding and petting with shark food. This is not casual contact where you just chase animals. Staff are involved, which helps keep the interaction safer and more respectful for both you and the animals.

Think of it like choreography. When feeding happens, animals respond quickly, and that creates the best close encounters. The downside is that it can get busy around the feeding area, and one review pointed out that the water space and animal crowding felt limited.

So here is the balanced take for your own expectations. If you like being part of an active animal session, you will probably enjoy this. If you dislike crowds or want maximum space in the water, you might find the setup tighter than you imagine.

The good news is that most of the positive reviews emphasize staff knowledge and passion, including how guides connect with the animals in a way that feels genuine. When the staff set the tone well, the experience can feel calm even while animals are close.

Who this snorkel suits best, and who might not love it

This snorkel is for age 12+, and children under 12 cannot participate. Participants must be confident swimmers, even though first-time snorkelers are welcome. That combination matters because you might be new to snorkelling gear, but you still need to handle yourself comfortably in the water.

Because it is a small group with a cap of 10 participants, it tends to work well for families with older kids, couples, and friends who want guided wildlife time without the chaos of huge tours. English-speaking guidance also makes it easier to follow instructions without guessing.

Where it may not be ideal is for open-water purists. One reviewer felt the animals were still effectively in an aquarium and that the system was not connected to the sea. If what you really want is the feeling of ocean freedom, you should seriously consider whether a lagoon-based setting will match your expectations.

A smart way to decide is to ask yourself what you want more: the certainty of close encounters with staff-guided interaction, or the less predictable romance of open-water snorkelling.

Price and value for $85, what is included in the real cost

The Coastal Currents Snorkel package is listed around $85 per person, paired with an entry pass and timed lagoon experience. On paper, snorkelling prices vary wildly in Australia, but here you are buying more than time in water.

Your package includes:

• Admission to the aquarium
• Entry into lagoon shallows and both lagoon reefs while in your wetsuit
• Shark food
• Animal interaction (petting and feeding)
• Staff-led animal talks and on-hand support
• A swim entry over the deep areas during the snorkel
• Wetsuit and snorkelling equipment provided
• Wear and keep souvenir socks
• The snorkel itself is about 30 minutes within the overall 150 minutes

That is the key value point for me: you are not just paying for the water time, you are paying for guided access to animals, equipment, and structured learning. If you would otherwise have to buy snorkel gear, figure out what to do once you are in the water, and pay for separate admission, the bundled approach can feel like a win.

At the same time, because the environment is controlled, the experience may not feel like equal value to everyone. If you are expecting wide open sea snorkelling and feel disappointed by lagoon limits, you might judge it as expensive for what you wanted.

Practical tips before you go, so the interaction feels great

Bring swimwear. That is the only required item listed, but you will want to arrive ready to get suited up. If you are using your own swimwear, choose something you feel comfortable moving in, because you will be in and out of the wetsuit process quickly.

Also, treat the set snorkel time seriously. When the deep-lagoon window begins, you want to be in the right headspace, not scrambling for gear or trying to re-read instructions.

One more practical point: if you are sensitive to busy moments, feeding time can be the busiest part. You can still have a good experience, but going in with a calm mindset helps you enjoy the animals without feeling pushed around.

Finally, if you are there for learning, listen closely during the animal talks. You will get more out of the encounter when you understand what staff are pointing out, especially with species like port Jackson sharks and different fish residents mentioned in the program.

Should you book the Coastal Currents Snorkel?

Book it if you want a guided, close-up snorkel in Anna Bay that prioritizes real interaction with rays and sharks, plus staff-led education. The small group size, included wetsuit and gear, and the dedicated deep-lagoon snorkel window make it a strong choice for confident swimmers age 12+ who want memorable animal time.

Skip it, or at least reconsider, if your top priority is ocean freedom and huge open-water habitat vibes. This experience is lagoon-based and controlled, and some people do not love that feeling. If that sounds like you, it might be better to look for a more open-water style snorkel where you are surrounded by the sea rather than a facility habitat.

FAQ

How long is the Coastal Currents Snorkel experience?

The duration is listed as 150 minutes total, including time in the lagoon shallows and reefs plus a snorkelling session in the deep areas of Fingill Lagoon.

How long is the snorkelling part?

The snorkel experience itself is listed as about 1/2 an hour (roughly 30 minutes) in the deep areas of Fingill Lagoon.

What ages can participate?

This snorkel package is for ages 12+. Children under 12 cannot participate in this snorkel.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer?

Yes. Participants must be confident swimmers. The information also says first-time snorkelers are welcome.

What marine animals will I see?

You can expect rays in the lagoon and mentions include port Jackson sharks and black cod, with references to fish such as rocket rock cod.

Where does the snorkel happen?

The experience takes place in Fingill Lagoon, with lagoon exploration in the shallows and both lagoon reefs, and then swimming entry over the deep areas during the snorkel.

What is included in the ticket price?

Included items are aquarium admission, entry into lagoon shallows and both lagoon reefs in your wetsuit, shark food, animal interaction (petting/feeding), staff animal talks, wetsuit and snorkelling equipment, and souvenir socks that you keep.

What should I bring?

You only need to bring swimwear. The wetsuit and snorkelling equipment are provided.

Is the snorkel at a set time?

Yes. The snorkel experience is at a set time, and you are advised to arrive on or before your booked time.

What languages are offered?

The instructor and talks are listed as English.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

There is free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. There is also a reserve-and-pay-later option listed.