Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay
Aquarium · Boulder Junction ·

Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay

Aquarium · Boulder Junction ·

Immersive aquarium with sharks, rays, and jellyfish

Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay by null

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3950 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119 Get directions

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3950 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119 Get directions

+1 702 632 4555
mandalaybay.mgmresorts.com
@mandalaybay
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@mandalaybay

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Dec 4, 2025

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@travelleisure
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30 Best Things to Do in Las Vegas

"Walking through the underwater glass tunnel at the Shark Reef Aquarium lets you observe more than 2,000 sea creatures—graceful jellyfish, friendly sea turtles, and sharks gliding through a shipwreck—and, for an additional fee, you can book an early‑entry guided tour that includes feeding a stingray." - Patricia Doherty Patricia Doherty Patricia Doherty is a writer who specializes in covering destinations, resorts, and cruises for Travel + Leisure and other publications. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

https://www.travelandleisure.com/best-things-to-do-in-las-vegas-7558921
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay
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Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay
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Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay
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"This large aquarium offers an adrenaline-charged experience where dive-certified teens can swim alongside some of the ocean’s most formidable predators in a massive tank that houses over 2,000 marine species. The emphasis is on immersive, up-close encounters with sharks and other sea life, delivering an exciting, educational attraction for adventurous visitors." - SilverKris

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Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay

Alex Dreytser

Google
Excellent aquarium! Very well done! I love ocean and everything related to it, so visiting an aquarium while traveling is a tradition for us. This one is relatively small, but lots of interesting fish and perfectly designed exhibit! Plus definitely worth to do a virtual reality movie at the end (it is included in the ticket price). I highly recommend this attraction for all ages!!! Enjoy!

Skittle Z

Google
The walk was shorter than I expected. I enjoyed the area you can sit down and watch the sharks swim by. I was also impressed by some of the super large fish in there. There was a lady explaining about sea monkeys and showing us under the microscope, very nice. The vr movie experience was amazing, it feels like the sharks are right next to me.

James Mitchell

Google
Surprisingly great aquarium! My son loved it! It has a cool lost temple theme, has many great animals to see, including the rare bow mouth guitar fish! Great collection of sharks too!

Ana-Stacey BK

Google
We had a fantastic experience going into this aquarium. You definitely don't need to buy tickets in advance. We had a VR experience that we decided not to go to just cuz we had a lot of other things to do in Vegas. It's definitely a kids friendly experience and once we back with our kids to Vegas will definitely go there with them. * Souvenir shop had quite good prices.

B

Google
This was a cool place to visit if you’re anywhere by the Mandalay! The staff are very knowledgeable and happy to talk with you about the animals, there’s also a touch pool where you can touch the sting rays which was fun. The shark tunnel was a great way to see the sharks and a few of the bigger fish, especially since it’s set in a shipwreck area. The only thing that let this down was it was quite small for a $29 per person entry, you do get around pretty fast.

Marius Jensen

Google
It was incredibly interesting to walk around and see all the fish and sharks. Everything was very clean, and the staff provided friendly and helpful service. The VR film was really well made, and it truly felt like a real diving experience with sharks.

Katherine He

Google
The Shark Reef is on the smaller side, but it’s very beautifully designed and well maintained. The tanks are crystal clear, the exhibits are nicely themed, and the walk-through tunnel is a really pretty experience. It’s a relaxing and scenic aquarium stop inside the hotel, perfect if you’re already on the Strip and want something calm and immersive without spending a huge amount of time. Small, but very charming and worth a visit.

Landon Bellamy

Google
I had a lot of fun with this! Located at the very southern edge of the strip in the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, it can be quite the trek to get here. The staff isn’t the best, but I liked the experience. This is VERY well themed and perfectly conveys the theme of the resort. The aquarium is educational and has a lot! I liked the shark aquarium and the Komodo Dragon the best. Overall, I would recommend if you want a relaxing thing to do in the strip.
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Jose P.

Yelp
We went to the Mandalay Bay Aquarium, in order to experience their behind the scenes tour and to feed their Sea Turtles. Mike was a great guide who explained everything about the aquarium. From their filtration system, the way in which each animal is cared for and handled, and how their conservation program engages other aquariums across the world. Feeding the Sea Turtles was a magical experience. It's amazing how much they consume and how they interact with their handlers. After feeding the turtles, we went through the entire aquarium. There, you could see a lot more sea and land animals, as well as a shallow skate petting area. The Shark Reef Aquarium is an enjoyable, and educational experience, that should be visited, especially out in the Vegas desert.
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Sophie V.

Yelp
Cost is very fair, Im sure it's pretty expensive to properly care for all the animals. My husband and I had a nice time walking through the start to finish pathway to see all the reptiles and fish. Take your time and go slowly through, otherwise it'll be too short of a visit. We took about 45 minutes but I could have stared at the sharks in the last and largest aquarium for longer.
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Mecca F.

Yelp
Perfect for the kids and the kid in adults. Pricing supports it being on the strip and in a hotel. Self guided and best time to go on weekdays. Less people. On dry land animals are first. Once you make your way out of the reef you get to enjoy a virtual experience nexts door. It's something to do while visiting. Take your time to explore and watch the sharks swimming. They just as bored as you'll feel swimming in circles.
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Cassandra F.

Yelp
I was with my family in Vegas for the weekend, and it's sometimes hard to find kid places there. This fit the bill and made for a fun morning outing. It's a little pricey for the size of the aquarium, but they do have some interactive elements and it's an easy walk since it's inside the hotel complex.
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Deanne R.

Yelp
Something to do with the family. It was 29.00 dollars a person per adults.(we don't have little ones anymore)so I don't get the price for that sorry. Small aquarium but it was fun, plenty of sharks to see and no crowds. At least not today. My kid enjoyed it. Glad we made it in. There was a stingray Part where you are able to touch but we were not interested lol.
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Cassandra S.

Yelp
The tickets are reasonable considering the experience, which is not much. As an adult with no kids, it is difficult to spend more than thirty minutes here. I would not visit again. It was interesting but nothing special. Park across the street at McDonald's for free.
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Trent G.

Yelp
I was pleasantly surprised how big it was, and the variety of animals inside. For its size, we got to do lots. We could have pet the sting rays for hours and for it being smaller, allowed for a more intimate experience. If this was a bigger aquarium, I'd feel I couldn't stay and appreciate the animals more.
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Bethany T.

Yelp
This place is AMAZING. Im so glad mandalay did the local discount because if it wasnt for a instagram influencer, I would have never know this was here. I hope they extend the deal because Locals are eating this up. I seen 6 people I know here on a Tuesday! LETS GO Mandalay Bay for keeping local Love alive in Vegas. This place is very informative, hands on ( i touched a sting ray!!!!!!!!), and the different kinds of fishes and jelly fish keep you super engaged! I seen sharks that i have never even heard of. I seen fish i never knew existed, I touched a bunch of sting rays! This place is great for Instagram-able pictures. Everything here has an exciting background!
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Nancy F.

Yelp
Enjoyed checking out this aquarium at the Mandalay Bay. It is a hike to get to it from the parking garage. We had a couple of comp tickets from the My Vegas app. It is pretty cool with lots is sharks and fish swimming overhead. It was pretty crowded during the weekend with lots of kids. Overall nice experience.
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Margret C.

Yelp
CASINO PARKING- Mandalay Bay Casino Locals Special 3 hours FREE NEVADA LOCALS SPECIAL- in honor of celebrating 25 years! Only Tuesdays- until August 26, 2025 $10 each admission Box office opens at 9:30 am Opens at 10 am DOES NOT TAKE SPLIT PAYMENTS My suggestion is to get there early, because we go there at 2 pm but were placed at the 3 pm line (keep in mind that there were two lines during this time frame). There were quite a few people here too. I took yesterday off due to my son's "Welcome Back" event at School. Otherwise, I'm working. A family-friendly attraction that doesn't disappoint. Educational too. And you also learn about Conservation efforts too. Accredited and features 2000 species. Yes, you can bypass the Pictures part. Yes, the first part is a bit humid. To mimic the "natural environment". Golden alligators, Komodo Dragon- it's huge. Piranhas, which have sharp teeth, and are interesting; found out that they often prey on dead or dying animals, so they serve a very important purpose within the ocean ecosystem. Small sharks, like leopard sharks are in the first aquarium. In the next one, is a long neck river turtle. The rays petting part is a one finger touch and children must lie on their bellies; safety is emphasized here. We were getting a show as the dark one was chasing the lighter ones. I reached it to touch it (I am short) and it was fleshy- kinda spongy feeling and slimy feeling, kinda gross. If you have little ones, tell them to touch it lightly, though. There is paper towel and sanitizer. Check out the invasive species, Lionfish, in their own aquarium. Also in this area, are the Giant Octopus, that was definitely my favorite one here; it went through three different color changes within minutes! The dangerous jellyfish have their own aquarium. They look ethereal. Almost like from a different world. Spotted the sea turtle up above in the tunnel part; also were some cute scallop hammerheads; I say cute, because they are smal. Some animals are no longer a part of the attraction like the horseshoe crabs, passed away in 2020, sad face. Also, the large snake was missing too. In the main part of the aquarium is the bowfin guitarfish; there was a large one and a small one. There were so many sharks to see, like the galapagos shark. There is a sitting area here. Gift Shop: No Pricing on items unless it was in the Sale section Small Plush items were $27 and $28! I usually like to purchase a bookmark or a postcard, but doesn't care either of those.
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Cassidy I.

Yelp
This space is very cool! I would say tickets are maybe a little pricey, but I hope it's going towards animal care. Expect to spend an hour or so here. There is a touch tank which may be harder to reach for the little ones. And definitely be prepared for kids! This is one of the few truly kid friendly places on the strip and is wheelchair and stroller accessible with a bathroom about halfway through the exhibit hall. I will say, the pathways are not large, so if you're bringing a stroller please be mindful of other visitors. It is quite far into Mandalay Bay and you will have to walk through the convention center area. It took us 10 or so minutes to get from the casino to the sharks.
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Julie B.

Yelp
Such a cute spot located inside the Mandalay Bay. I booked this experience through Expedia and also included the VR experience. It's not a big aquarium so an hour is more than enough time. I really enjoyed the VR part which was only about 6 minutes long but it was cool!
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Westin C.

Yelp
We had a fun time as some 30 year olds with no kids! There are a couple reptile exhibits in addition to the regular aquatic exhibits. The tanks are decorated nicely with a general reef or shipwreck theme. There's quite a few sharks in each tank swimming amongst the fish and they are easy to spot. The underwater tunnels are pretty cool to have an almost 360° view of all the fishes and is a good photo opportunity spot. There's also a spot where you can pet the sting rays. The aquarium itself is somewhat small compared to stand-alone aquariums, but it is quite decent given that this is inside a hotel on the Las Vegas strip. It shouldn't take longer than an hour or so to get through the entire thing, depending how busy it is to wait for your turn to look at each exhibit. I came on a Tuesday around 10:45am and it was much busier than expected. I was only able to get tickets for 1pm entry. It was also summertime and there were a lot of families with kids. There two separate lines, one for the box office and one for the entry to the exhibits, so make sure you're in the right line as it can be difficult to tell from the back when they are really long. There's staff standing and walking around to help. When I went, they were wearing blue T-shirts. It took about 30-45 mins to stand in line for the box office and about 30-45 mins for the entry line, so with the 1pm tickets I really got into the exhibits around 1:30pm-1:45pm. We took advantage of the $10 Tuesday deal for locals, which was amazing. I haven't been back in 15+ years. Currently it's $24 for children and $29 for adults for timed entry tickets. It's a little pricey for the size of the place, but it's a convenient on the strip option for families. I was pretty satisfied with my overall experience!
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Sarah B.

Yelp
I had came here for my 21st birthday weekend a while ago and I think what stuck out to me the most was their Albino Alligator! Unfortunately when I went with my best friend and her daughter recently, he was not there it made me worried but they do have a new alligator! So fun and cool seeing them in person! Tickets are about 30 bucks not sure for kids but for adult's especially on the strip, it really isn't too bad. I'm always pretty mesmerized by the aqua beauty and loooove a good museum or anything involving animals fish sharks jellyfish you name it so this one's right on the money!! The only thing you're allowed to physically touch there are their stingrays (with a giant sign that says "please do not touch the eyes of tail") I assumed anyone wouldnt THINK of doing that but with Las Vegas I guess you never know lol. They also have a cute little gift shop upon your exit with lot and lots of merch stuffed animals for kiddos you name it. Overall I love this aquarium! There are a few others I've been to of course, and for being out in the desert I'm highly impressed keeping these animals/marine life safe and happy!! Would come back every time just to admire the beauty of it all Definitely bring your kids they love it as much as us grown ups do!
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Adam B.

Yelp
For what it is (an aquarium experience in a casino), it's pretty amazing. It won't take more than an hour if you have impatient kids who want to keep pushing forward, but if you slow down, read the educational signs, and enjoy the animal viewings, it'll be worth it. The touch pool for the rays was a little depressing (the rays did not look happy to be there), but the overall facility looked well-maintained and the animals well taken care of. A little pricey for a family, but otherwise an enjoyable excursion!
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Jessica H.

Yelp
This was just a fantastic place to get out of the heat, learn something new, and see some pretty amazing wonders. Pricing is about on par for Las Vegas, and the virtual reality movie experience was really quite cool. This will entertain adults and children Alike and can easily accommodate the full spectrum of family ages. It would also be a great date idea! It's just the right size to spend about an hour and a half, maybe a little bit more. So it's the perfect side excursion for a Vegas trip.
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Cliff J.

Yelp
Awesome exhibit located inside Mandalay Bay that's worth the admission fee and the trek to experience. The aquarium is a host to an array of not only aquatic life, but many other reptiles are also on display. You can pretty much see and photograph all they have to offer in one hour or less. Of course everyone loves to see the sharks and they have plenty to see! My personal favorites, the sawfish and the hammerhead, both were a little camera shy but certainly make their presence known. If you have the time available and need a break from all the casino action, the shark reef makes an excellent pit stop!
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Lisa L.

Yelp
I enjoyed the total experience. The tour of the underwater sea animals was just okay. It was pretty humid and the alligators were lethargic. Once I saw the sea jelly display the tour started picking up. There was a wait to purchase tickets, but the line kept moving. The staff was helpful, but sparse. I found my way to the virtual show afterward. There was no real direction given.
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Patrick F.

Yelp
A nice experience for the family, especially younger children. The tickets are a little expensive, but there are coupons and offers available if you look for them. For example, look on the My Vegas app. There are some pretty awesome sharks to see.
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Carol P.

Yelp
As an aquarium, it's an aquarium. However, the ambience and the setting makes you feel like you're walking through a Hollywood movie. It has to feel of the Legoland aquarium, where the details and touches make you feel like you're in a magical new place not in a museum. Everyone's favorite is the shark area. There are two tunnels as well as ways to see the sharks from above on the side and below. In addition to the aquarium, you get a VR experiences. It is 2025 and I'm sure the experience was high tech when it first came out. We thought it was OK but the fact that it comes with the ticket is fabulous. The seats moved and you had a 360 view by turning your head, which was so fun.I hope they can update the film. I can only imagine it would get better and better since they have a pretty sweet set up already.
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sherry u.

Yelp
While in Las Vegas with grandsons, took them to the shark reef aquarium- located at Mandalay Bay resort- interesting creatures to see and learn about. A bit on pricey side for the size of aquarium- at least that's what I felt- exit flows right into a gift shop so be prepared. Photos taken and available for additional cost. Was a nice break in day.
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Roxanne E.

Yelp
Came here to say on a Tuesday with my family because they have a special going on for $10 admission for the summer, but you need to get your tickets the day off. We went early and beat the lines at the box office, however there was a line to go in. We didn't wait too long, but it was definitely busy! The aquarium was super nice and clean. I love the tanks with the aquatic animals! The shark tanks were my favorite. The aquarium is super small.... I do wish it was bigger. I feel like it wouldn't be worth paying for a regular admission ($30). We had a great time!
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Amanda L.

Yelp
For an aquarium in the desert, it's not that bad! But it's very very brief and if you're anticipating your experience to be like that of the aquariums you might find in Monterey or San Francisco you're going to be disappointed okay? Some tips: If you're not staying at the Mandalay Bay be sure to park on the south east side in the convention center parking area. That is the quickest way to get to the shark reef. Parking is free for locals for the first 3 hours. Don't pick up any drinks before you come because they will make you throw them away upon entry. Is it worth the full price tag? I don't think so. But I'm biased
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Jen H.

Yelp
Absolutely love taking my toddler son to the Shark Reef!! Whenever I have to work late, I can always count on SR, since most of the indoor playgrounds close at 6pm. Albeit we live in South Summerlin, I don't mind the drive to Mandalay Bay. And plus locals can park in the Convention garage for free (three hours). I purposely take the longer route, which is inside the hallways by the bays, that way my son can burn off some energy. The annual pass price is beyond reasonable as well. I can also get my guests discounted tickets too! It's a smaller aquarium, compared to some of the other aquariums I have been to, i.e., Chicago; Monterey Bay; New Orleans, etc. HOWEVER, this is a great aquarium in the middle of the Mojave DESERT!
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Laura A.

Yelp
The Shark Reef Aquarium is located in Mandalay Bay Hotel Casino. You want to park in the convention center parking lot and the aquarium entrance is very close just behind the parking lot. They have two basic pay options. Regular price is $29. but you have to pick the hour. We found out that it is a much safer better option to pick the all day ticket that is around 7 dollars more because you never know when a dozen tour buses might stop in just before you and you might have hundreds of people in line to get in just in front of you. That happened to us. So we had lunch and after lunch all the tour buses were gone and it was easy to get in. The aquarium was enjoyable. But lunch or dinner options are on you. Next to the aquarium is an extra small food court with a few choices. Very few of the Casino Restaurants are open for lunch. I'd recommend the Shark Reef Aquarium.
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Jesse B.

Yelp
This place had some nice displays it's just in the beginning of the aquarium the walkway is very narrow and all the displays are on one side so it makes it hard to see and you have to wait for awhile to see them as people walk by and take pictures . As you go through it further it gets wider and the exhibits get bigger and better .
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Katie F.

Yelp
Pros: the very last tank of sharks that looks like a pirate ship was really cool. Cons: price is way too high for such a small attraction. Smell and heat are a bit much but not unlike any other aquarium. $80 for the photos they take of you at entrance.
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Isabella K.

Yelp
Definitely a fun experience but one of the older exhibitions so not the most thrilling one. A lot of online outlets claim this experience is free but it was around $20/30 pp. But since we've made the hike all way to the Mandalay at the end of the strip, we bought tickets. Good thing that we were able to take a tram at some point. You get to see sharks and other fish but the aquarium is pretty small all in all. The staff was friendly and answered all of my son's questions. When you leave, you get to watch an immersive 3D movie in another room.
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Ryan Y.

Yelp
Visited the Shark Reef Aquarium for the first time, and thought the experience overall was good. The Aquarium is located inside the Mandalay Bay, and is easily accessible for a stay on the strip. Overall, the aquarium itself is well done with the decor/theming having that Las Vegas feel- you're not just looking at tanks- but themed tanks- think shipwrecks, ancient / forbidden reefs, Atlantis- it's a nice elevated touch. The aquarium itself isn't large and as many have stated- you may get an hour (no more than 2) exploring the animals, tanks, and touch pool with rays. The highlight is the last aquarium with the sharks escapading all around you- I was delighted with the number of sharks without the tank feeling empty but also not overcrowded (it's a big tank!). There's a "classroom" with some activities and additional creatures to observe- definitely recommend if you have young kiddos to maximize your time.
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Janice A.

Yelp
Absolutely one of the best Aquariums we visited! So worth it to come here and was the highlight of our Las Vegas trip! All the fishes looked so healthy and well cared for. Very nice and comparable to Honolulu's aquarium but bigger! Come check it out for yourself.
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Emily S.

Yelp
We went on a Tuesday locals get in for 10 for a (limited time)a person it's absolutely beautiful and clean. The attendants working are very helpful and friendly. There is a lot of information and fish and sharks to see. I highly recommend especially if you have kids. We got there a little before 12pm but if you're able to get there early the line to get in will be shorter. Overall great experience plus they have a couple of rays you can touch.
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Bri B.

Yelp
Really enjoyed this mini aquarium! Worth the little price that you pay. The views were great and it was cool to see so closely!
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Jerry E.

Yelp
Fabulous place to visit, especially for the kids. Visitors have the opportunity to see many never seen before spices up close and personal. It was amazing to see all different kind of jellyfish, including gigantic ones, too; same experience with the huge octopus that possessed long and agile tentacles. Surprised that there were more than a few sharks, too. Although their tunnel was not lengthy, it still provided a good 3D/4D views of big fish leisurely swimming by. Highly memorable and pleasant visit.
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Emily S.

Yelp
Ummmm Yes its cool. But the actual aquarium is so small. Pictures are very misleading. Price needs to be so much lower! I went on a solo date here and it takes less than 20 minutes to walk through. There should definitely be a free headset with information about sharks or some kind of information coming over speakers. There was a small petting area for kids. That the children seemed to enjoy. If it was half the price I might go back. Definitely overhyped.
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Ava G.

Yelp
A FUN WAY TO SPEND AN HOUR! It is not the biggest aquarium, however it is pretty fun and has about an hours worth of viewing! Take your time and look at every animal. Some people were walking through way too fast! Some of the highlights in my opinion are the Komodo dragon, sharks, and jellyfish. There is an area where you can pet stingrays (mantarays? some kind of ray). There is also a large tank with almost 360 views inside, with different types of shark species inside! After you go through the aquarium, don't forget to do the VR movie. They have a few options which are all a few minutes each, and it takes you into the ocean following your chosen animal. If you want a break from gambling, drinking, or the hot sun this is a neat place to check out if you're already in Mandalay Bay. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here if I wasn't close by.
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Noelle A.

Yelp
We took our niece here and she loved it! We also had a good time. We saw a lot of awesome fish and sharks. Our favorites were the Zebra sharks, Sting Rays, and the Jelly Fish. We tried to catch the octopus but it was taking it awhile to wake up. They also had Hammerhead and Nurse sharks. A representative named Kyle Anne was very friendly and informative! She was telling us and my niece some information about the fish and the jellyfish. We loved the tunnels a lot! My niece is not afraid of sharks anymore.
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Matthew N.

Yelp
PSA for Las Vegas locals: From now until 8/26/25, tickets to the Shark Reef Aquarium are just $10 every Tuesday! Tickets must be purchased in person with a valid Nevada ID, and you get 3 hours of free parking in the garage. This was my first time visiting the Shark Reef Aquarium, and I couldn't pass up the discounted local pricing. Be aware that tickets are first-come, first-served. When we bought ours around 3:45 PM, the next available entry wasn't until 5 PM due to the crowds. We passed the time walking around Mandalay Bay, but a heads-up: if you plan to re-park to reset your 3-hour parking limit, do it before entering the aquarium, since there's no validation and no re-entry once you exit. The aquarium itself is on the smaller side, but there's a great variety. From komodo dragons and sharks to jellyfish, stingrays, and colorful fish from all over the world. We spent about 40 minutes exploring at a relaxed pace and reading the displays. It's definitely a fun and educational visit, especially for families with kids (and there were a lot of them when we went). While I personally wouldn't pay full price ($30) to go again, I think it's absolutely worth doing once.
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Lauren C.

Yelp
Shark Reef Aquarium exceeded my expectations. There was more area to cover than I expected from an aquarium on The Strip. We parked in the self parking and it was about a 10 minute walk from the garage to the entrance of the aquarium. We chanced buying tickets at the entrance and it was fine. With local discounts it was about $50 for two adults. Shockingly, four and under is free so both of my daughters were free. It took us about an hour to explore the aquarium. There is a flow that leads you from the beginning to the end. You start with a walkway with tanks and exhibits on the sides. Then you go through a few themed rooms before the underwater tunnel. This isn't quite as thrilling as a full aquarium with play areas and interactive areas, but it's perfect for spending about an hour. It's a great deal for those with children four and under!
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Cindy G.

Yelp
Bought our tickets online to avoid waiting and it was a fun & relaxing experience! Definitely recommended to see while in Vegas. Beautiful Reef Tank, got to see the Razor Shark & Mantas up close. Took our photos with the photographer and had a great lunch at the Food Court.
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Taylor H.

Yelp
My wife and I went here to get away from the hustle and bustle of the strip and we had a great time walking through the aquarium. The exhibits are very well done and they do a good job of fitting a lot of exhibits in a small space. The only issue with the aquarium is the small size and how quickly you can get through it all. We spent less than one hour inside the aquarium and spent plenty of time looking at each exhibit. I'm not sure if it would be worth the price in any other city, but it's a nice escape for Vegas.
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Calvin S.

Yelp
So fun fact, my city used to have a mini aquarium inside one of the casinos, but it was removed a few years ago due to cost cutting measures. Therefore you can imagine the excitement when my friend and I saw that there's an aquarium here. It's certainly not a place where you'd spend an hour or more in, but it's a nice morning stroll where you can walk around and learn about marine wildlife. The price is reasonable too, and there are ways thru MyVegas where you can redeem for free tickets here. The location isn't optimal given it's in the edge of the strip at Mandalay Bay, but I still think it's worth a visit if you're into marine wildlife.
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Erin T.

Yelp
Yes it's expensive for the size of the experience but maybe I'm just used to Vegas pricing? There's so few family friendly activities on the strip that this doesn't really phase me. I will say that there's a certain age where it stops being worth it so I'd say maybe skip it after your kids hit the age of 6 or 7. For my 16month toddler, it took us about 40 min to an hour. We probably could've stretched it longer had he been less tired. The staff is really nice and while the theme is kind of kitschy it works overall. Tip : piranha feeding is at 1!
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Scarlett H.

Yelp
This is a tourist attraction in a mega casino/hotel (Mandalay Bay, that is) but we LOVED IT!! It is obviously smaller than most of the " real" aquariums (like those near the ocean) but for about $30 you get to spend 1-2 hours in the middle of the Sin City away from all the "sins" and lose yourself among these creatures from thousands of miles away - how cool is that!? While small, their staff's enthusiasm was huge -- we got some nice education about sea life and some of the residents there. There are seating areas throughout the place so it's great for families, young children, and senior visitors. Great AC too --- it helps when it's 120 degrees outside!
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Joseph W.

Yelp
We loved it here. Great spot to beat the heat. Need a break so took a ride. We had a good time here. Cool place.
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Kathy H.

Yelp
Nestled into the Mandalay Bay Resort, this aquarium did not disappoint. Really nice layout with easy displays for all the animals. Sting ray petting pool with shark and sea turtle feeding options....was a great way to spend the afternoon.
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Robert C.

Yelp
It has a lot of sharks. You can pet the sting rays. But it's basically a shark aquarium which is short and to the point. So for $10 not bad. Anything more you got ....But this is Vegas baby. So you know what's up.
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Rae C.

Yelp
This place was amazing. I'd love to go back when I wasn't drunk and could remember more of it! I got to pet fishies and look and sharks and see a bunch of marine life. I love aquariums.
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Trina H.

Yelp
The staff were super friendly and the specimen intriguing. I was disappointed in the small size of the exhibit for the cost
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Xaviera M.

Yelp
I took my toddler to the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay, and she absolutely loved watching the sharks and fish swim around. One of the highlights was getting to touch a stingray, which was a fun and interactive experience for her. The prices were reasonable--since she's only two, she got in for free. Adult tickets are around $34, but if you're a local or a senior, you can get a discount. It's a self-guided walk-through experience, so you can go at your own pace. Since my daughter is still young, we spent about 45 minutes to an hour exploring. There are spots where you can sit and take it all in, and the whole experience really makes you feel like you're underwater with the sea life--about as close as you can get to being in their environment. I've posted a few videos to share the experience. Definitely worth checking out!