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Events, photo walks, talks from the masters, in-depth workshops. Expand your horizons with one of our many events across Australia.

Explore Sony’s Digital Imaging line-up, an ever-expanding range of cameras, lenses and accessories that have been developed to meet a diverse range of creative needs and technical requirements.

AU NZ
Simon Pierce
-
Advocate

Shark Photography & Science in Byron Bay

Nguthungulli Julian Rocks Marine Park, Byron Bay, NSW
Fri 3 Jul
Simon Pierce
Image: Alpha 7R III (A7RM3A)
  • 15mm
  • ƒ/9
  • 1/100s
  • ISO 200
Alpha 7R III (A7RM3A)
Simon Pierce
-
Advocate
Shark Photography & Science in Byron Bay
Nguthungulli Julian Rocks Marine Park, Byron Bay, NSW
Fri 3 Jul
Simon Pierce
Image: Alpha 7R IV (A7RM4A)
  • 15mm
  • ƒ/8
  • 1/100s
  • ISO 320
Alpha 7R IV (A7RM4A)
Help monitor critically endangered sharks with photo-identification

About the event

Learn more about underwater photography and help monitor critically endangered grey nurse sharks!

Adult grey nurse sharks are migrating north through July to mate in Queensland waters, and if we're lucky, there'll be a few taking a break in Byron Bay. We'll be diving with Sundive at Nguthungulli Julian Rocks Marine Park to see and photograph them.

Each grey nurse shark is individually identifiable from their unique spot patterns. We'll be aiming to take nice photos of the sharks, while also contributing to their population monitoring and conservation through Spot A Shark.

Along with the grey nurse sharks, we'll also be photographing and identifying beautiful wobbegong sharks for the new Cape Byron Wobbegong Project. 

These dives will be guided and booked directly with Sundive.

Your host, Sony Digital Imaging Advocate and shark scientist Dr Simon Pierce, is a world expert on shark photo-identification and protecting ocean wildlife. He's the Executive Director of the Marine Megafauna Foundation, an Adjunct Fellow at the University of the Sunshine Coast, and Research Manager for the Spot A Shark community science initiative for grey nurse sharks in Australia.

Booking steps

  1. Send Sundive an email directly to confirm availability (bookings@sundive.com.au)
  2. Register here on Sony Scene
  3. Go directly to https://www.sundive.com.au/pages/book-now to complete your booking
  4. Enter 'DIVE WITH SIMON' in your booking notes

Additional information

  • If numbers permit, we'll go out on both the 7:15 am and 10 am dives, so you're welcome to join both
  • As the sharks will likely be at 18 m depth or more, these dives will be suited for Advanced divers or above
  • In the event of cancellation due to poor weather or other operational factors your $10 deposit here on Scene will be refunded
  • Please see Sundive's booking policies and other information here: https://www.sundive.com.au/pages/book-now

Techniques covered

  • Underwater wide-angle photography techniques
  • Shark behaviour
  • Photo-identification
  • Underwater photo editing

What to bring

  • Underwater camera (GoPro are available for rent from Sundive)

Event FAQs (For general FAQs, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page)

From Sundive: Both certified SCUBA divers and snorkellers 65 years of age (anyone whose 65th birthday has already passed) and over require a doctor's clearance letter done within the last 12 months incorporating clearance for SCUBA diving or snorkelling but also including strenuous activity. This must be sent to Sundive before the day of your trip. If you are over 70 years of age you will need a full SPUMS medical or international equivalent for SCUBA diving only. If you are over 55 years of age and starting your PADI Open Water course you will also need to acquire a valid dive medical before starting the course. For certified SCUBA divers under the age of 18 years old, a SCUBA-certified parent or guardian must be present and stay with them at all times throughout the dive.
GoPro rentals are available from Sundive.
No, but there is a cafe close to Sundive. Water will be available on the boat.
There is (paid) public parking close to the dive centre.
Full or partial gear hire is available from Sundive. See: https://www.sundive.com.au/pages/book-now
Advice from Sundive: Our boats launch directly through the surf which at times can be time sensitive with water and waves. Our staff will help as much as possible if required but, for the safety of our staff and guests, we require our guests to be able-bodied for the launch, be able to react quickly and, have the physical strength, ability and fitness to jump on the boat and, pull themselves up the ladder after the dive. The trip out to the rock can be bumpy, and this, combined with the launch, makes our trips unsuitable for people with back problems or injuries that would be affected by such a journey. It is also a requirement that anyone booking for diving or snorkelling are able to swim 200m unassisted without a floatation device.
As the sharks will likely be at 18 m depth or more, these dives will be suited for Advanced divers or above.
Sure: you can email Simon at simonjpierce@gmail.com – best to cc Sundive at bookings@sundive.com.au. You can also call Sundive directly: +61 (0) 266 85 7755

A$10 deposit payable via Sony Scene to secure a spot.
Balance Due Date: 03/07/2026

Payment for the remaining balance should be made directly to the host. They will be in contact with you shortly to provide the payment details and further instructions.

Suitable for all levels Nature / wildlife Underwater
7:15 am - Fri 3 Jul 2026, 7:15AM - 9:15AM (UTC+10) Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Fri 3 Jul 2026, 7:15AM - 9:15AM (UTC+10) Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Suitable for all levels
Event capacity: 5
A$155 (Deposit A$10) per/person    Book now
11 Middleton St, Byron Bay NSW 2481
Meet at Sundive: 11 Middleton St, Byron Bay
10 am - Fri 3 Jul 2026, 10:00AM - 12:00PM (UTC+10) Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Fri 3 Jul 2026, 10:00AM - 12:00PM (UTC+10) Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Suitable for all levels
Event capacity: 5
A$155 (Deposit A$10) per/person    Book now
11 Middleton St, Byron Bay NSW 2481
Meet at Sundive: 11 Middleton St, Byron Bay
2026 Alpha Awards Photo Competition

2026 Alpha Awards Photo Competition

2026 marks the eleventh year of the Alpha Awards celebrating the greatest images from across Australia and New Zealand captured on Sony Alpha cameras and lenses, giving you the chance to share in over $62,000 (AUD) worth of Sony digital imaging gear. 

Terms and conditions apply.*
Enter now

Advocate

Simon Pierce

I'm an ocean wildlife photographer and marine conservation biologist living in Kaikōura, New Zealand.My scientific speciality is photo-identification, where we ...

Read more

Events like this are essential — they go beyond photography, raising awareness for a better world. Simon is inspiring, knowledgeable and kind.”

Marcos Wasinger, Getting Started With Conservation Photography
Alpha 1 II (A1 II)

My Gear

Alpha 1 II (A1 II)
Whale sharks at St Helena Island in the Atlantic Ocean
Friendly loggerhead turtle off Byron Bay, Australia

Outstanding host! Simon made us all welcome and valuable members of the project. If Simon runs similar projects in Australia again, I will be onboard.”

Charles Chambers, Grey Nurse Shark Photography & Science in Byron Bay
Alpha 7R III (A7RM3B)

My Gear

Alpha 7R III (A7RM3B)
Fri 3 Jul