If you’re looking to take your trip to Australia to the next level and love heart-pounding, terrifying, totally unexpected activities, Crocosaurus Cove Cage of Death belongs on your itinerary. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill animal encounter; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to come face to face with an apex predator.
Here’s everything you need to know about Cage of Death, how to maximize the adventure, and why it’s one of the most unique things to do in Darwin.
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What is the Cage of Death?
The Cage of Death is part of Crocosaurus Cove, a crocodile aquarium in Darwin, Australia. Here, you and a partner climb inside a clear acrylic cage and are lowered into the water, where a massive saltwater crocodile awaits you. You can opt to go solo as well if you’re brave enough. You’ll be underwater with the crocodile for 15 minutes. But don’t fear! You don’t have to be Tom Cruise with incredible lung capacity to do this. You can swim back up to the top of the cage for air whenever you need. While underwater, you’ll come face-to-face with the crocodile when he swims over to the cage! The workers feed the crocodile right next to the cage, so you’ll get to see its sharp teeth up close. It helps that the crocodile is more interested in the food than it is in you!
These saltwater crocodiles can grow to approximately 16 feet. With that length and their lightning-fast speed, you’re sure to get an adrenaline rush when you see their teeth and claws bearing down on you from inside the cage!
Is the Cage of Death Safe?
You’re probably thinking, “Sounds cool, but is it safe?!”. While cage diving with crocodiles sounds inherently risky, the Cage of Death has been operating since 2008 and is a well-oiled machine. The acrylic cage was made to withstand the powerful jaws of crocodiles, keeping you fully out of harm’s way. You’ll also get a safety briefing before you enter the cage.
The way we look at it is if you’re the type of person to visit the Cage of Death in Australia, you’ve likely tried far more death-defying adventure activities in your life. People have died from skydiving, but no one has ever died in the Cage of Death or even been injured! It’s also less scary to us than shark cage diving. With sharks, there are usually slats in the cages, making it seemingly easier for a shark to get to you versus the enclosed cage at the Cage of Death.
How Much Does the Cage of Death Cost?
The Cage of Death pricing varies slightly seasonally, but you can expect to pay around AUD 195 for one person or AUD 295 for two people. The Cage of Death price includes full-day admission to Crocosaurus Cove. Ticket prices (in AUD) to Crocosaurus Cove run about $40 for adults, $32 for seniors, and $25 for children. Pro Tip: Book in advance, especially if you plan to visit from June through August when it’s peak season. Spots fill up quickly with this popular activity!
Do you Really Swim with Crocodiles?
You’re not really swimming with crocodiles in the Cage of Death since it doesn’t offer enough space to move about and swim properly. But it gives you a similar feeling since you can watch them underwater. Crocosaurus Cove also has a small swimming pool built mainly for children but open to all ages, where you can watch the juvenile crocodiles from under the water.
If swimming with an apex predator is on your bucket list, keep reading to see where you can make those dreams come true!
What Makes the Cage of Death So Unique?
The Croc Cove Cage of Death is one of the most extreme wildlife encounters in the entire world. Unlike shark cage diving or safaris, where animals keep their distance, these crocodiles are anything but shy, often coming right up to the cage.
We love activities that embody the spirit of the country they’re in. Australia is known for raw, exhilarating, animal-focused adventures. This is one of those ultimate bucket list experiences in Australia that you can talk about for the rest of your life. Many people swim with dolphins, shark dive, or visit an elephant sanctuary, but few can say they’ve swum feet from a crocodile and lived to tell the tale.
How to Plan Your Visit to the Cage of Death
The Cage of Death is located in Crocosaurus Cove at 58 Mitchell St, Darwin City, NT. They’re open every day from 9 am through 6 pm. Unfortunately, you can only participate in the Cage of Death if you’re 18 years of age or older. We recommend a morning slot for better lighting in your photos and cooler temperatures. You’ll want to bring a swimsuit, a towel, a waterproof camera, or a waterproof phone pouch like this one we love from Amazon. Arrive about 20 to 30 minutes early to get checked in and start your safety briefing.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Crocodile Swim
This activity is certainly a thrill, but it’s not for everyone. The last thing you want is to be lowered into the water only to have a panic attack when faced with the croc! If it’s not for you, you can film your partner from the sidelines. You’ll avoid the panic, and they’ll get a sick video!
If you do decide to brave the cage, we suggest visualizing the experience ahead of time. Practice some breathwork you can do when you come up for air. Watch videos of other people safely doing the experience. These things will get you in the right frame of mind when the time comes.
Other Crocosaurus Cove Activities
Since your cage dive comes with full Crocosaurus Cove admission, make the most of your visit with these activities on site.
Reptile House – At Crocosaurus Cove, you’ll find the reptile house with show times at 10 am, 12:30 pm, and 4 pm daily. Crocosaurus Cove is home to the world’s largest display of Australian reptiles. There are more than 70 species of reptiles here.
Big Croc Feed Show – Want to feel the force of a crocodile’s jaws without entering the Cage of Death? You can enjoy the Big Croc Feed Show at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm and witness a monstrous crocodile break a solid block of ice with its teeth! This show is also informative, teaching the audience about the crocodiles’ feeding habits and history. And perhaps most importantly, you’ll get to see Burt, the star croc of Crocodile Dundee.
Swimming with Crocodiles – As we’ve mentioned, even kids can get in on the fun of swimming with crocodiles in Crocosaurus Cove’s pool, which grants an underwater glimpse of the juvenile crocodiles. The pool is open all day.
Fishing for Crocs – You can also feed the juvenile crocodiles on the Fishing for Crocs platform suspended over their pool. At 11:30 am, 2:30 pm, and 4:30 pm, you can dangle a snack at the end of a fishing line and feed the crocodiles below.
Hold a Baby Croc – If seeing a crocodile isn’t enough, perhaps you’d like to hold one! From 9:30 am – 5 pm, you can hold a baby crocodile and get a picture as a souvenir. It’s free to hold the crocodile, but pictures start at AUD 25.95.
Freshwater Aquarium – There’s a freshwater aquarium on site with shows at 11 am and 3:30 pm. You’ll even get a chance to see a Whipray.
World of Crocs – To learn more about all of the species of crocodiles, head to World of Crocs. Here, all of your questions about crocodiles will be answered. Plus, it’s air-conditioned inside, providing a lovely reprieve from the Australian heat.
Turtle Billabong – You can also check out a variety of turtle species at the Turtle Billabong onsite.
Crocodile/Alligator Experiences Around the World
You can experience the thrill of a crocodile encounter around the world. Here are some of our favorites.
Croc City Crocodile & Reptile Park, Johannesburg, South Africa – There’s no dive here, but they do offer the FlyOver, where you can zipline right over the crocodiles!
Cango Wildlife Ranch, Oudtshoorn, South Africa – This location is much like Crocosaurus Cove. It’s a larger conservation park with a crocodile cage dive inside. But this cage is more like a shark diving cage, with openings as pictured above.
Everglades Outpost, Florida, USA – For those who wondered about swimming with these predators, this experience is for you. Although there are no crocodiles at Everglades Outpost, you can swim with alligators in a 30,000-gallon pool. You’re separated by a net barrier for your protection.
Few activities on earth will give you the same thrill as locking eyes with an apex predator. For travelers who want to experience the world in the most unexpected way, this is an unforgettable adventure you don’t want to miss.
For more unexpected travel experiences, check out The Most Thrilling Adventure Trips Around the World.
