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Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino

Las Vegas, United States

From $29.75

Select Date and Travelers

Non-refundable
You will not receive a refund if you cancel.
Las Vegas Tours
All Las Vegas Tours
Audio Guides
Kid-Friendly
Likely To Sell Out
Unique Experiences
  • 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Overview

Come face-to-face with some of the world's most fascinating creatures at the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay, North America's only predator-based aquarium and exhibit. This Las Vegas aquarium is home to 2,000 animals, including saw fish, giant rays, endangered green sea turtles, piranha, jellyfish, rare golden crocodiles and — sharks. Get close to more than 100 sharks, including 30 in the 1.3-million-gallon main tank, one of the largest in the US. Explore two underwater tunnels and experience Sea Monsters Revealed, the world's largest exhibit of uniquely preserved sea creatures. Also included is a new VR Experience, suitable for all ages!
  • Admission to Shark Reef Aquarium at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip
  • Admire more than 2,000 aquatic animals and reptiles
  • See rare and endangered animals including golden crocodiles, green sea turtles and black piranhas
  • Experience a diver's view by walking through two underwater tunnels
  • Includes the Undersea Explorer VR Experience

What's Included

  • Admission Ticket
  • Box Office fee
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Parking/Valet fees

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

  • Mandalay Bay
    3950 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Visit the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip anytime during its normal operating hours to see 14 different exhibits devoted to dangerous aquatic predators. 

There are more than 100 sharks at Mandalay Bay — and 30 of them appear in the aquarium’s largest exhibit, the 1.3-million-gallon Shipwreck. Visitors can experience several species of sharks (Galapagos sharks, grey reef sharks and zebra sharks), plus endangered sea turtles, stingrays, sawfish and many other fish through a mesmerizing acrylic tunnel. 

Other exhibits include the popular Touchpool, featuring stingrays and horseshoe crabs in a 2,500-gallon, interactive saltwater exhibit. Also, look for the rare golden crocodile, Komodo dragon, cichlids (one of the largest families of fishes), Burmese pythons (one of the five largest species of snakes in the world), Amazon predators (home to the giant arapaima, arrowana, pacu and freshwater stingrays), plus a Caribbean reef teeming with parrotfish, pufferfish and other beautiful tropical fish.

There are also venomous fishes, moon jellies, piranhas, a giant Pacific octopus and much more.

You have the opportunity to virtually swim with sharks and whales in the Undersea Explorer VR Theater. This motion-platofrm theater with 360º 3-D virtual reality technology transports you to the oceans of the world to discover what's hidden beneath the surface. The immersive pre-theater area is a great way to learn more about these wonderful aquatic creatures. Suitable for all ages.

Casino at Mandalay Bay

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Shark Reef Aquarium

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Infants aged 0-4 are free of charge and do not require a ticket
  • You may enter the attraction up to 59 minutes after the selected time on your ticket
  • VR films for ages 5 and older, younger children can enter the exhibit but must be accompanied by an adult. During VR experience children under 5 will need to rotate with a guardian or parent.
  • If booked same day, tickets cannot be picked up less than 2 hours after placing order
  • Most travelers can participate

Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

      Frequently Asked Questions

      The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

      Filter by:

      Q:What will I see at the Shark Reef?

      A:You will see more than 2,000 animals, including sharks, giant rays, endangered green sea turtles, piranha, and a Komodo dragon. This exhibit gives you the chance to dive with a higher concentration of exotic sharks than you'd ever find in the wild.

      Aug 2021

      Q:Where in the Mandalay Bay is Shark Reef located?

      A:From the casino, take the walkway towards Mandalay Bay Convention area. Walk past Border Grill and the wedding chapel, Shark Reef Aquarium is located on your left.

      Aug 2021

      Q:What are the opening hours of the Shark Reef?

      A:The Shark Reef Aquarium is open daily from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM with the last admission at 5:00 PM.

      Aug 2021

      Q:Do I have to exchange my ticket upon arrival at Shark Reef?

      A:Yes, you will need to exchange your ticket for a direct entry ticket at the box office. Please allow two hours from placing your order for same-day tickets.

      Aug 2021

      Q:Can I bring my young child to see Shark Reef?

      A:Absolutely! Children 4 years old and under enter free with paid adult admission. Children 4 and under are free and do not require a ticket.

      Aug 2021

      Q:Is Shark Reef a guided experience?

      A:The tour of Shark Reef is not guided so that you may explore at your own pace.

      Aug 2021

      Q:Can I bring food/drink inside Shark Reef?

      A:Food and drink are not permitted inside the Aquarium.

      Aug 2021

      Q:How big is Shark Reef?

      A:The main tank is 1,300,000 US gallons (4,900,000 l), one of the largest in North America. The facility is 95,000 sq ft (8,800 m2), and displays numerous species of sharks, rays, fish, reptiles, and marine invertebrates.

      Aug 2021

      Q:How long should I expect to spend at Shark Reef?

      A:The experience typically takes 3-4 hours, depending on how much time you spend at each exhibit.

      Aug 2021

      Q:Is Shark Reef accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums?

      A:Yes. Shark Reef Aquarium is the first and only facility in Nevada accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. The AZA accreditation ensures that you are supporting an institution dedicated to providing excellent care for animals.

      Aug 2021

      Traveler Photos

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      Traveler Tips

      Beautiful place to see se and know better about the sea world, the tour is just 1 hour but it worth it, kids are to mostly exiting!
      Unpleasant, it was a very far walk for people with health issues,when asked for a wheelchair back to the entrance it was never received.
      Don't get me wrong the aquarium was over all awesome.
      Reviews
      4.0
      819 reviews
      Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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      Reviews by Viator travelers.
      Showing 1-10 of 819 reviews
      Shark Awesome
      Kate_H, Apr 2023
      I went for my one year Anniversary it was super fun things I’ve never seen before I loved it. There where just so much interactions not too crowded which I appreciated and there are pictures
      YES
      Theresa_T, Mar 2023
      awesome, loved it. Staff very friendly and informative. a very much WOW exhibit. Not to much and no long lines when order tickets in advance
      Don’t bother.
      Rowena_A, Mar 2023
      Could not access tickets with link they sent. The code wouldn’t scan. Completely useless!! Just buy your tickets directly from the ticket booth.
      Fun
      Deborah_O, Mar 2023
      The sharks was great to see and all the other fish I liked the Tuttle and hammer sharks and seen the divers the water
      Great experience
      Thomas_V, Mar 2023
      The entire visit was great. Will go back again. Everyone in my group thought it was amazing. Didn't hear one complaint from anyone else visiting. Great for all ages
      Must see if you have kids
      Aretha_W, Mar 2023
      Omg love it first time going and everything was worth the trip I mean it was a beautiful view to see all the fishes and jelly fish
      Pre paid tickets poor process but experience of the reef was great.
      Theresa_G, Mar 2023
      Shame about the confusion over our paid in advance tickets. Still had to queue AND get them printed. The experience though was very good.
      Turtle amazement
      NANCY_R, Mar 2023
      Very nice small aquarium, very good for families with children, we saw giant turtles swimming- just that was worth the price!
      Nice aquarium
      Patricia_H, Mar 2023
      The shark tank and seeing a varirty of fish and the huge allergy eater which looked like a shark. I loved the jellyfish it reminded me of spongebob.
      Shark Reef experience
      Ruth_E, Mar 2023
      Seeing so many different species of sea life in a large tank. Spacious facility to view the sea species and it crowded
      Family Activity
      Phyllis_B, Mar 2023
      Good for families with children. Staff very interactive and knowledgeable. Marine life from all over the world.
      Lack luster
      Samantha_T, Feb 2023
      I assumed the aquarium would have that wow factor since it was located in a higher end casino on the strip, but it was lacking. It took approximately 10 minutes to observe the entire aquarium. For the price, we left wanting to see more.
      You've got sharks to the left sharks to the right :-)
      Arthur_S, Feb 2023
      I absolutely love marine life and sharks so it was the perfect excursion. It also gave me a chance to check out Mandalay Bay which I haven't been to in many years. On the voucher it calls itself a timed entry but they told me you could stay as long as you want and that was just for the pandemic so that should be updated by the company. I was also told I had to print my voucher which was not true they take from the phone. I actually went to a business office and had to pay to get it printed so just so you know you don't have to
      Well done
      Amy_D, Feb 2023
      Beautifully kept place for these animals that look very healthy. The sharks are great. Being able to touch a ray was wonderful!
      Fun time.
      Suzanne_P, Feb 2023
      The attraction was wonderful!! I live in Florida and it was one of the best aquarium I have been to.
      Had a great time
      TURQUOISE_B, Feb 2023
      The tunnel & reptiles were my favorite . It was very warm & comfortable. The staff was nice & informative. This was a great date for my fiancé & I . I Will bring other family & friends back !!
      Over hyped
      Bruce_L, Feb 2023
      I was disappointed in how little was actually in Shark Reed The aquarium at Henry Dorley Zoo in Omaha NE has so much more The VR experience was ok but a coral reef would have been so much better
      MUST GO!!
      Nina_D, Feb 2023
      We had a great time! Very cool seeing all of the animals. Knowledgeable and very friendly staff made the experience even better.
      It was a brilliant and...
      Nevenka_F, Feb 2023
      It was a brilliant and unique experience. We really enjoyed it. Friendly staff ready to answer questions.
      A lack of customer appreciation
      Stephanie_M, Feb 2023
      Nothing. I had an emergency and had to reschedule my business trip to Las Vegas to a later date within the same month however Viator refused to give me a credit to ensure that I as a loyal customer could still enjoy this activity. I officially lost approximately $60.
      ...

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