Shark Reef Aquarium is a walk-through public aquarium inside Mandalay Bay on the south end of the Las Vegas Strip. It is home to more than 2,000 animals across roughly 100 species, including some 15 shark varieties, a shipwreck tunnel, and a hands-on touch pool. General admission runs about $34 for adults and $29 for children, and it is open daily from 10am.
Not everything in Las Vegas is neon and slot machines. Tucked into the far south end of the Strip, inside the Mandalay Bay resort, Shark Reef Aquarium is one of the city’s most family-friendly attractions and a genuinely cooling break from the desert heat. It is the only predator-based aquarium in Las Vegas accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and the walk winds through a re-created sunken temple and a shipwreck before dropping you into a see-through tunnel with sharks gliding overhead.
The self-guided route runs through 14 exhibits and around 1.6 million gallons of water in total, so you move at your own pace past sawfish, sea turtles, moray eels, a Komodo dragon, golden crocodiles, and a piranha tank before reaching the headline shark habitat. It is compact enough to fit into a busy Strip itinerary yet substantial enough to keep kids genuinely absorbed, which is a rare combination on the Boulevard.
This guide covers current ticket prices and hours, what you will actually see, how long to budget, and the easiest way to reach Mandalay Bay at the quiet south end of the Strip.
Top Tickets
# Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay Entry Ticket
# Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Admission
Table of Contents
Where to Buy Tickets & How They Work
Shark Reef sells timed general-admission tickets, and buying online ahead of time is the smart move: it locks in your price, lets you skip the box-office line, and matters most on weekends and school holidays when walk-up slots fill. The pre-tracked options below are standard entry tickets that admit you to the full self-guided route.
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay Entry Ticket
This is straightforward general admission to the aquarium, covering the entire walk-through route from the shipwreck galleries to the shark tunnel and touch pool. Tickets are timed, so you pick an entry window and go at your own pace once inside. Booking online is usually a few dollars cheaper than the door and saves you queuing at the desk.
Price: About $34 for adults (ages 13+) and $29 for children (ages 4 to 12); children 3 and under are free.
Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Admission
A second admission option covering the same self-guided experience through all 14 exhibits. It is a good alternative if you are already booking other Las Vegas activities on the same platform and want everything on one confirmation. As with any entry ticket, reserving in advance beats gambling on same-day availability during peak weeks.
Price: From roughly $34 per adult; discounted child rates apply, and under 4s enter free.
Shark Reef Aquarium Opening Hours
Shark Reef Aquarium is open daily. Typical hours are Sunday through Thursday from 10am to 8pm, and Friday and Saturday from 10am to 10pm. The last entry is usually about an hour before closing, so aim to arrive no later than 60 to 90 minutes before the posted close. Hours can shift for holidays and private events, so confirm your date.
Because the aquarium sits inside a busy casino resort, its hours stay fairly consistent year-round, unlike show-based attractions. The extended Friday and Saturday close is handy if you are pairing it with an evening on the Strip. Note that ticket sales stop before the doors do, so a late-afternoon arrival on a weekday is your safest bet if you want to walk in without a reservation.
Best Time to Visit
The quietest, most comfortable time is a weekday morning right at the 10am open, before Strip crowds build and before school groups arrive. Late afternoon on a weekday also works well. Weekends and holiday periods are busiest, especially mid-day, so book a timed ticket in advance for those.
Mornings give you the calmest walk through the tunnels and the best shot at unhurried photos with sharks passing overhead. If mornings do not fit, the hour or two before a weekend close is another sweet spot, since day-trippers have moved on to dinner and shows. Whenever you go, the aquarium is fully indoor and climate-controlled, which makes it a reliable midday escape in summer when the outdoor Strip is punishing. It pairs naturally with other indoor stops at the south end, from a nearby show to a Strip stroll once the sun drops.
How Long Does a Visit Take?
Most visitors spend about 60 to 90 minutes inside. The self-guided route through all 14 exhibits takes roughly an hour at a relaxed pace, a little longer if you have kids who linger at the touch pool or watch a scheduled feeding. There is no fixed exit time, so you can move as slowly as you like.
Budget the higher end of that range if you are visiting with children, who tend to stop at every tank, or if you want to catch one of the daily diver talks or feedings. Solo adults and couples can comfortably see everything in under an hour. Either way, it is a short enough commitment to slot between other Mandalay Bay plans rather than build a whole afternoon around.
What to See & What to Expect
Expect a self-guided walk through themed galleries that build toward a see-through tunnel where sharks, rays, and a giant sawfish swim overhead. Highlights include the shipwreck shark habitat, a touch pool with rays and horseshoe crabs, a Komodo dragon, golden crocodiles, sea turtles, and a piranha tank. Feedings and diver talks run on a daily schedule.
The Shipwreck Shark Tunnel
The centerpiece is a walk-through acrylic tunnel set inside a themed sunken ship, where you stand beneath sharks up to nine feet long, along with rays and other large predators cruising past on all sides. It is the moment most visitors remember and the best photo opportunity in the building.
The 1.3-Million-Gallon Shark Habitat
The main tank holds around 1.3 million gallons of water and roughly a dozen shark species, from sand tiger and nurse sharks to more unusual residents. Viewing windows around it let you get close to the aquarium’s largest animals, including a resident giant sawfish that is a highlight in its own right.
The Touch Pool and Reptiles
A shallow touch pool lets kids and adults gently handle rays, horseshoe crabs, and other calm creatures under staff supervision. Elsewhere on the route you will meet a Komodo dragon, golden crocodiles, a green sea turtle, moray eels, and a tank of piranhas, giving the visit more variety than the shark name suggests.
Feedings and Diver Talks
Throughout the day, staff run scheduled feedings and short educational talks at various tanks, and divers sometimes enter the main habitat. Check the times posted at the entrance when you arrive so you can plan your loop around them.
Is Shark Reef Aquarium Worth It?
Yes, for families and animal lovers it is well worth it. At around $34, it offers an hour-plus of genuinely engaging, air-conditioned fun with a standout shark tunnel and touch pool, and it is one of the few Strip attractions aimed squarely at kids. Solo adults expecting a large city aquarium may find it compact, so set expectations on size.
Compared with the price of a headline show or a thrill ride, Shark Reef delivers strong value for anyone traveling with children or anyone who simply wants a calm, cool hour away from the casino floor. The honest caveat is scale: this is a resort aquarium, not a sprawling city institution, so a couple visiting purely for a marquee attraction might rank it lower than families will. Manage that expectation and most people leave happy.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Tickets are timed and cheaper online; buy ahead for weekends, holidays, and summer afternoons.
- The full route is stroller and wheelchair accessible, and it is entirely indoors and air-conditioned.
- The entrance is at the far end of Mandalay Bay near the convention area, a long indoor walk from the Strip doors, so allow extra time.
- Special experiences like behind-the-scenes tours and animal feeding encounters cost extra and must be booked separately in advance.
- Last entry is roughly an hour before closing, and re-entry is not permitted once you leave.
How to Get to Shark Reef Aquarium
Shark Reef sits inside Mandalay Bay at 3950 South Las Vegas Boulevard, at the very south end of the Strip. If you are staying nearby, the free tram that links Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay is the easiest approach; from Excalibur it is a short, air-conditioned ride that drops you a walk away from the aquarium. Mandalay Bay is also connected to Luxor by an indoor moving walkway, so you can reach it under cover in the heat.
From further up the Strip, the Deuce and SDX buses run the length of Las Vegas Boulevard and stop at Mandalay Bay, and rideshare will drop you at the resort entrance. The aquarium itself is a long indoor walk from the main casino doors toward the convention center, so follow the signs and allow ten minutes once inside. Mandalay Bay is one of the closest resorts to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), roughly a five to ten minute drive. If you are building a south-Strip day, the Michael Jackson ONE Cirque du Soleil show is in the same resort, the Tournament of Kings dinner show and Big Apple Coaster are a tram or short walk away, and a stroll north along the Las Vegas Strip connects you to the rest of the Boulevard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are Shark Reef Aquarium tickets in 2026?
General admission is about $34 for adults (ages 13 and up) and about $29 for children (ages 4 to 12), with kids 3 and under free. Buying online in advance is usually a few dollars cheaper than the box office and lets you pick a timed entry slot.
What are Shark Reef Aquarium’s opening hours?
The aquarium is open daily, typically Sunday through Thursday from 10am to 8pm and Friday and Saturday from 10am to 10pm. Last entry is usually about an hour before closing, and hours can change for holidays or private events, so confirm your date before visiting.
How long does it take to walk through Shark Reef?
Most people spend 60 to 90 minutes. The self-guided route through all 14 exhibits takes about an hour at a relaxed pace, and there is no fixed exit time, so families who linger at the touch pool or feedings can stay longer.
Where is Shark Reef Aquarium located?
It is inside the Mandalay Bay resort at 3950 South Las Vegas Boulevard, at the south end of the Strip. The entrance is toward the convention center, a long indoor walk from the main casino doors, so allow a few extra minutes once you are inside.
Is Shark Reef Aquarium good for kids?
Yes. The touch pool, walk-through shark tunnel, and animals like the Komodo dragon and sea turtles make it one of the most kid-friendly attractions on the Strip. The route is stroller and wheelchair accessible and fully air-conditioned, which helps on hot days.
How do I get to Mandalay Bay for the aquarium?
The free tram connecting Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay is the easiest option, and an indoor walkway links Luxor to Mandalay Bay. The Deuce and SDX buses and rideshare also serve the resort, which is only a five to ten minute drive from Harry Reid International Airport.
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