Shark Reef Aquarium is an expansive venue home to more than 2,000 aquatic wildlife species. Shark Reef, located inside Mandalay Bay, is one of the most popular stops on the Las Vegas Strip for families, couples, and singles alike. The daytime hours allow guests special early entry to entertainment, which can’t be said for most locations on the strip.
This predator-based aquarium is an institution dedicated to educating and preserving sea life. Not only will you have a great time, but you’re also supporting a great cause!
Shark Reef Exhibits
Shark Reef is home to over 2,000 unique species. Each exhibit has something different than the last. Check out these exhibits that are fan favorites at Shark Reef.
Shipwreck
The shipwreck exhibit is by far the most popular exhibit at Shark Reef. This is the aquarium’s largest exhibit, so it makes sense that it has the largest tank.
The exhibit features a 1.3 million gallon tank! A 360 degree Shark Reef tunnel takes guests through a shipwreck experience with more than 15 different species of exotic sharks swimming around them. Inside the Shark Reef tunnel, you’ll get to see white tip reef sharks, tiger sharks, sand tiger sharks, other toothy residents, and some tropical fish!
Underwater Tunnel
Two underwater tunnels connect to create North America’s largest undersea adventure! The underwater tunnel displays numerous species, including giant rays, sharks, horseshoe crabs, tropical fish, and other sea life.
Shark Feed
Get up close and personal with resident zebra sharks during the shark feed experience. You’ll get a lesson on how to safely feed the sharks first. Then, it’s your turn to grab the feeding tong and give the gentle giants a bite!
Sea Turtle Feed
Feeding endangered green sea turtles is something most people will never get to do, but you can! These 300-pound endangered green sea turtles are always looking to eat. You’ll get to go above the main tank to have an interactive feeding experience with a sea turtle while getting a new perspective of the exotic sharks down below.
Touch Pool
The touch pool is great for families looking to remember their Shark Reef visit for years to come. The touch pool has sea creatures that are safe to touch like horseshoe crabs, starfish, and sea anemones.
Other Exhibits
There are 14 exhibits in total. Other notable exhibits and experiences at Shark Reef include:
- Shark diving
- Freshwater fish
- Tropical fish
- Polar Journey
- Underwater Explore Virtual Reality Experience Theater
- Komodo dragon
- Jellyfish
- Stingray feed
- Underwater proposal
Aquarium Map
Finding Shark Reef inside
From the front desk, you’ll have to walk past the casino floor before you see the entrance. In the parking garage, follow signs for the
Once you’re inside Shark Reef, follow the paths to see every exhibit and come out close to where you started. View the aquarium on a verified
Mandalay Bay Aquarium Hours
Shark Reef Aquarium is open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM. The latest you can enter the aquarium is at 5 PM. This cutoff for the last entry allows those who paid for entry to have time to walk through the aquarium before close.
Special activities like feeding sea turtles and diving with sharks may have different times.
Aquarium Cost & Tickets
Cost is a big concern when people are planning their Las Vegas activities. Shark Reef at
Shark Reef at
Timed Tickets
Timed Entry Tickets | Price | Time |
Adult | $29.00 | 10:00 AM - 07:00 PM |
Senior (Ages 65+) | $27.00 | 10:00 AM - 07:00 PM |
Child (Ages 5 - 12) | $24.00 | 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
Children (Ages 4 & under) | Free | 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
Timed entry to Shark Reef at
With timed Shark Reef tickets, guests choose what time they’ll enter the aquarium at the time of their ticket purchase. Kids 4 and under are always free
Anytime Tickets
Anytime Tickets | Price | Time |
Adult | $36.00 | 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
Senior (Ages 65+) | $34.00 | 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
Child (Ages 5 - 12) | $31.00 | 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
Children (Ages 4 & under) | Free | 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
Anytime tickets are still available for guests who aren’t sure when they’ll be able to visit Shark Reef at
Anytime Shark Reef tickets allow guests to enter anytime during the normal hours of operation.
Discounted Tickets
Discount ticket options are available! Nevada residents can receive $3 off per ticket with a valid Nevada state ID. Tickets must be purchased at the box office to receive a Nevada resident discount.
Two Activities for the Price of One
All visitors to Shark Reef Aquarium get free entry to Mandalay Beach included with their ticket! Shark Reef and Mandalay Beach are both on the same property, so finding your next destination won’t be hard. Mandalay Beach spans more than 11 acres and is considered the premier pool in all of Las Vegas.
FAQ
How Much Is Shark Reef?
Admission starts at $24 for children aged 5-12 and $29 for guests aged 12-65. Kids 4 and under get in for free! Senior discounts are available for guests 65 or older. u003cbru003eTicket prices are higher for “anytime” tickets that allow you to visit the Shark Reef without a time reservation.u003cbru003e
Where Is The Shark Reef Aquarium At Mandalay Bay?
The Shark Reef Aquarium is located inside Mandalay Bay. Mandalay Bay sits near the intersection of Las Vegas Blvd and Hacienda Avenue.u003cbru003eWalk past Border Grill and the u003ca class=u0022wpil_keyword_linku0022 href=u0022https://vegasfoodandfun.com/las-vegas-weddings/u0022 title=u0022weddingu0022 data-wpil-keyword-link=u0022linkedu0022u003eweddingu003c/au003e chapel, following the signs for Shark Reef until you approach the entrance on the left.u003cbru003e
How Big is Shark Reef?
It’s big enough to hold more than 2,000 species of underwater wildlife with more than 100 sharks. The main tank is a 1.3 million gallon display with multiple smaller tanks throughout the aquarium too.
How Long Does Shark Reef Take?
The self-guided walk through the aquarium takes about an hour. Guests are encouraged to go at their own pace and enjoy the sights. Additional experiences like sting-ray feeds or diving with sharks will add to the time.u003cbru003e
How Late Is Shark Reef Open?
The Aquarium is open until 6 PM daily, but the last admission is at 5 PM.
Is the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Worth it?
Yes, this experience is well worth the cost! Guests rave about the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with sea creatures, including more than 100 sharks!
Is Mandalay Bay Aquarium Free for Hotel Guests?
No, Shark Reef is not free for Mandalay Bay guests. Discount tickets are sometimes available at the concierge with a valid room key.u003cbru003e
What Types of Sea Creatures Are at Shark Reef Aquarium?
Shark Reef is home to more than 2,000 species of sea animals. These include exotic sharks, jellyfish, endangered green sea turtles, giant rays, horseshoe crabs, komodo dragon, crocodiles, tropical fish, and so much more!
The Shark Reef Aquarium is open year-round, and there’s never a bad time to go! Shark Reef is the first and only facility in Nevada accredited aquarium by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Start booking your Las Vegas trip today to lock in the lowest rates and access to the best activities at
I absolutely loved this aquarium and I would gladly go back and visit — I thought it was set up well and very easy to get to even for people who have disabilities