Explore Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas
Las Vegas has an activity for just about anyone at any age. A favorite for the kiddos is the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay. It gives kids a chance to see a Komodo Dragon, piranhas, jellyfish, sting rays and of course… sharks. They also have a 4-D experiences where you can swim with the sharks without getting wet.
In fact, there are more than 2,000 animals that call this museum home.
Here’s a rundown on what you can expect at the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
Tickets and Directions to Shark Reef Aquarium
The best way to snag tickets is online in advance of your visit, which allows you to guarantee your entry time. You can purchase tickets for a one-hour window to begin your visit, or pay $7 more for anytime tickets and show up whenever. The general tickets include aquarium admissions and access to the Undersea Explorer and VR Experience.
- Adults are $29
- Seniors (65+) are $27
- Children (ages 5 – 12) are $24
- Children under 5 are free
If you don’t have tickets in advance, you can purchase them onsite, but they’re subject to availability.
The Shark Reef Aquarium is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the last entrance at 7 p.m.
In my opinion, I think the ticket prices are a little high for what’s there. I walked through the entire aquarium in about 20 minutes. To make sure I hadn’t missed anything, I went back to the start and walked through again. For $30 per ticket, I just didn’t feel it was worth it. That said, if you have kids with you, maybe they’ll spend more time reading about and watching the animals than I did.
The Shar Reek Aquarium is located on the south side of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, which is on the south end of The Strip. If you drove, there is a parking garage at the resort you can use, but plan on $15 for 1-4 hours of parking. If you’re a guest of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, parking is already paid for. You can also take an UBER/Lyft as well and be dropped off at the entrance to the Shark Reef Aquarium.
Learn about Reptiles: Komodo Dragon and Crocodiles
Fish aren’t the only creatures you can look at and learn about at Shark Reef Aquarium. When you first walk in, you’ll notice a large above-water enclosure and some large reptiles lounging about.
Crocodiles are just hanging around. During my visit, they just sat there – as pictured above. But some kids were glued to the glass, watching for some movement from the large creature.
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A little further down the path you’ll find a Komodo dragon. It was cool to see yet another above-water creature at the aquarium, and I enjoyed reading a little more about this one, too.
After exploring what the aquarium has that lives on land, your journey will take you to the creatures below the surface.
Explore the Many Aquariums of Fish from Around the Globe
The Shark Reef Aquarium has several smaller tanks that house a wide variety of aquatic life. For example, you can watch a group of piranhas swim around – and if your timing is right, you’ll see them at feeding time. Yikes!
Other tanks showcase sea creatures beyond your typical fish with gills. You’ll see starfish, coral, anemones and more.
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The next section of the Shark Reef Aquarium is accessed by walking through a glass tunnel. You’re welcome to hang out in the tunnel for a bit and watch a sting Ray or shark swim overhead.
Touch Sting Rays and See Jellyfish
Once you decide to continue through the glass tunnel, here’s your chance to touch sea life. The sting ray touch pool let’s you and your kids feel the slimy backside of a sting ray. The guide will remind you how to touch them: two fingers, and don’t grab them.
Wash your hands at the little hand washing station near the tank before continuing on.
Don’t miss one of the most mesmerizing tanks in the whole aquarium – the jellyfish tank. Those creatures are so rhythmic and interesting to watch. They’re just blobs, but they function. Weird, yet fascinating.
Watch the Sharks Glide Through the Water
Before wrapping up your visit to the Shark Reef Aquarium, spend some time in the mock shipwreck watching a variety of sharks swim in the distance. There are seats if you want to hang for a few, or you can get right up to the glass for a closer look.
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As you exit, you’ll walk through another glass tunnel. Watch the sea life swim around you before heading on to the Undersea Explorer 4-D Experience.
Undersea Explorer 4-D VR Experience
If you’re fascinated with sharks and want to dive a little deeper into sharks, make your way to the Undersea Explorer 4-D VR Experience. As you wait for your Virtual Reality (VR) experience, you can explore different aspects of sharks and shark exploration. As you’ll note from the photo above, you can also go cage diving with this Great White Shark.
When your time comes for the 4-D VR experience, you’ll be directed into the theater and will put a headset on after sitting in a seat. When the ride begins, you’ll be able to look all around you as a variety of sharks swim around you. Your seat will move, too, as you glide through the water. It may even bump if a shark gets a little too close to you.
The experience was like being immersed in a National Geographic documentary about sharks – only this time, you’re in the water with them. After the experience ends, grab any of your belongings and make your way to the exit.
If you’re looking for another experience, you can always book a feeding experience with the sharks, sea turtles or the sting rays.
The Details
Address: 3950 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89119
How long to spend: I went through the aquarium portion in about 20 minutes. If you have younger kids, you can probably plan on about 45 minutes.
Cost: For timed-entry, adult tickets are $29; Seniors (65+) are $27; Children (ages 5 – 12) are $24 and children under 5 are free. Anytime tickets are $7 more per ticket.
Hours: Monday through Sunday, 10-8 p.m. Last admission is at 7 p.m.
Website: https://mandalaybay.mgmresorts.com/en/entertainment/shark-reef-aquarium.html
Phone: (702) 632-4555
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