Adventure Bay Charters

Adventure Bay Charters is a family business run by Matt Waller, a fourth generation fisherman who is passionate about the industry. He and his crew Scott offer some of the most exciting and unique aquaculture experiences in South Australia, including the famed Tuna Tour, where visitors can feed and swim with Southern Bluefin Tuna. Only in its second year of operation, the tour has already been described as something 'every visitor to Port Lincoln should do'.  Matt Waller speaks about how his business came about, and how it contributes to tourism in South Australia.

How and why did you start your tourism business?

Myself and two partners had a vision to develop tourism in Port Lincoln, and saw a gap in the one day market as well as a short-fall in access to Port Lincoln's most famous resident, the Mighty Bluefin Tuna. On a personal level it was time for me to start thinking about being at home as much as I could.

Your 'Swim with Tuna' tour is quite unique, how did you come up with it?

I have spent countless hours towing, feeding, polling and working with tuna but the most awesome experiences were submerged in the blue weightlessness amongst ten thousand of these fast, exciting fish. I thought to myself, I bet there are people out there who would pay to do this.

What challenges have you encountered as a tourism business?

Bureaucracy, policy, theft, opposition, resistance, and funding - but it wouldn't be a business without these things. 18 months ago, I was a fisherman who caught a few fish and dealt daily with five crew and one boss - it was fairly easy. Now I entertain, market, sell, maintain, feed and employ. A lot of these things I have had to learn fast and there are not always a lot of people to refer to when you are the first to do something as out of the square such as this.

You've applied for a grant for new underwater viewing tunnel. How do you believe this would complement your business?

Well this will add another dimension to Adventure Bay Charters, allowing people to see the fish without getting wet. Most importantly, it allows increased visitation throughout the year, and for the not so brave who still want the chance to see and taste what the Japanese go crazy about.

What do international or interstate visitors enjoy most about Adventure Bay Charters?

We represent everything that is important to Port Lincoln: the culture and the heritage that is our tuna industry, and we epitomize the essence that Port Lincoln has founded itself on  - the ability to work hard, think outside the square and never give up.

Is there a tour or experience that is most popular with visitors?

People have heard of swimming with sharks and seals/sealions etc. but there is a sense of trepidation about swimming with tuna, so they are not sure how it is going to feel. Once they are submerged in the underwater world of tuna they start to relax and drift with the movement of the cage. It is often described as the most unexpected, surreal experience that you can have in the water, and I know how they feel I still enjoy it after 6 years in the tuna industry.

What advice would you give to other budding tourism businesses?

Don't start up against me and be prepared to be an overnight success in 15 years.