The Eye-to-Eye Shark Dive at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium isn’t just thrilling — it’s inclusive. Since the program first opened in 2013, more than 25,000 guests have taken the plunge. From the very beginning, the dive team has been trained to support guests with a wide range of disabilities, ensuring that awe-inspiring underwater adventures are accessible to all.

Thanks to adaptive equipment like a Hoyer lift and a trained dive team, guests who use wheelchairs (or anyone who may have difficulty with stairs) can fully participate in the shark dive program in the Tropical Reef Aquarium. The lift, added during the recent remodel, gently lowers guests into the water and improves accessibility for those who benefit from mobility support without necessarily using a wheelchair.

Just ask Christopher, 11, and Chase, 15. Both are wheelchair users, and both recently faced sharks head-on.

At first, Christopher was nervous. The idea of being submerged in a 240,000-gallon habitat alongside reef sharks, a ray, and tropical fish was overwhelming. But with the encouragement of his family, dive staff, and the visible support around him, he bravely took the plunge. Fully submerged, he surfaced smiling and proud.

Chase was bursting with enthusiasm from the start. He kept wanting to go deeper, fascinated by the animals around him and eager to explore more. For both teens, accommodations were tailored to meet their specific medical and physical needs, proving that the Eye-to-Eye Shark Dive is not only possible for people with disabilities, but also life-changing.

Guests can benefit from the Hoyer lift, which gently lowers participants into the habitat. Once in the water, no prior dive experience is needed. Participants breathe surface-supplied air and are guided by experts throughout the dive. The water is comfortable at 76 degrees, and each dive is adapted to meet individual needs.

“We want everyone to know that at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, awe-inspiring experiences can be for you,” said Lead Dive Safety Officer Heidi Wilken. “For families and guests with disabilities, visibility is key. Seeing others enjoy adaptive experiences helps break down assumptions about accessibility.”

To learn more or request accommodations for your dive, visit the FAQs section at pdza.org/dive, or complete an ADA Accommodation Request and select “Shark Dive at PDZA.” The cost of the dive includes zoo admission and a souvenir video so you can relive your shark adventure. Complimentary caregiver tickets are available for adults accompanying guests who benefit from support.