Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas
Las Vegas, United States

Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino

Outty Ranking 64 4.1 · 1,144 traveler reviews1 hoursFrom $24

Pick your date

Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.

September 2026

SMTWTFS

Loading live availability

Who is going?

Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.

From, per person$24
View availability on Viator

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.

Instant mobile ticketSpots available today

Outty Ranking

64/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.1/5

Based on 1,144 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino worth booking?

Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino is a 1-hour experience in Las Vegas, United States, from $24 per person. It scores 64 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 4.1/5 rating across 1,144 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
64 / 100
Rating
4.1/5 (1,144)
Duration
1 hours
From
$24 per person

Marvel at the incredible Shark Reef Aquarium in the heart of the desert at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. Explore the 14 exhibits containing exotic and endangered fish, reptiles and — of course — s

What you get

    About this experience

    Marvel at the incredible Shark Reef Aquarium in the heart of the desert at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. Explore the 14 exhibits containing exotic and endangered fish, reptiles and — of course — sharks. Enjoy up-close views of more than 100 sharks, including 30 in the 1.3 million-gallon (4.9 million-liter) main tank, one of the largest in the US. By walking through two underwater tunnels, get an even better sense of what it's like to be under the sea.

    What's included

    Included

    • Admission Ticket
    • Box Office fee

    Not included

    • Hotel pickup and drop-off
    • Parking/Valet fees

    What you'll see and do

    1. Casino at Mandalay Bay

      Make your way to Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino to visit Shark Reef, an underwater odyssey in the heart of the desert.

      60 minutes here

    2. Shark Reef Aquarium

      Enter the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino to witness an incredible array of aquatic and reptilian life. Shark Reef contains more than 2,000 animals in 14 exhibits, which offer visitors the chance to escape the desert heat and immerse themselves in a marine oasis. See more than 30 sharks swimming in the 1.3 million-gallon (4.9 million-liter) main tank, one of the biggest in the US. Plus, observe a multitude of other sea life including pufferfish, green sawfish, piranhas, Moray eels and jellyfish. Check out the touch pool to feel horseshoe crabs and a variety of rays and walk through two underwater tunnels for a more intimate view of the sharks and other marine life. Also included is the Undersea Explorer VR Experience, After an immersive pre-show area, take your seat in the 36-seat motion-platform theater, don your headset and be transported to the ocean depths. You'll soon be swimming with a humpback whale, diving next to a 15-foot tiger shark and more!

      45 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Casino at Mandalay Bay

    3950 S Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada, 89119, United States

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Casino at Mandalay Bay · 3950 S Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada, 89119, United States

    Options you can book

    • Anytime Admission with VR

      Flexible Entry: Stay flexible and come at any time during aquarium hours on your selected date of entry. Limited quantities available. Undersea Explorer VR: Take an immersive, motion-based virtual reality journey with a marine biologist where you can swim with whales and sharks. Last entry is 7pm daily.

    • General Admission with VR

      General Admission Tickets: Reserve a specific spot to ensure your admission. Entry is for one-hour during the window selected. Undersea Explorer VR: Take an immersive, motion-based virtual reality journey with a marine biologist where you can swim with whales and sharks. Last entry is 7pm daily.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 9 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    MGM Resorts - Attractions

    Know before you go

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • 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

    Photos

    Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, photo 2Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, photo 3Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, photo 4Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, photo 5Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, photo 6Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 1,143 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Value for money

    2 mentions

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Good for families

    2 mentions

    Reviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.

    Pace and timing

    2 mentions

    Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.

    Traveler reviews

    1,143 verified traveler reviews for Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    605
    4 star
    253
    3 star
    146
    2 star
    73
    1 star
    66
    Sort
    Nikkia_H · August 2026

    Beautiful Reef. I...

    Beautiful Reef. I enjoyed watching the sharks and other sea creatures. This is a nice place to visit.

    via Viator

    mzrazzaque · August 2026

    Smaller than I expected.

    Way more smaller than I expected.

    via Tripadvisor

    SarahL272 · August 2026

    Over priced

    We arrived for 9.45 and the line to get in was very long took us about 30 mins to get in. When leaving noticed there was no que so probably best to go an hour after opening time or later in the day. Not that big and probably not worth the price but saw some cool fish and sharks. Full tank of close up pirahna. Afterwards you do get to go watch a short film wearing the vr headset which was ok. .

    via Tripadvisor

    Adewale_J · August 2026

    Las Vegas Shark Reef & VR

    Really enjoyed the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay. 🦈🐠 There was a great variety of marine life, and seeing the sharks swimming so close was definitely the highlight. The aquarium is very well presented and easy to walk around at your own pace. The Undersea Explorer VR experience afterwards was brilliant! 🥽🌊 It really added something extra and made you feel like you were actually underwater alongside the sharks and other sea life. A fun and enjoyable experience and something a little different to do while in Las Vegas. I would definitely recommend doing both the Shark Reef and the VR experience. ⭐⭐⭐

    via Viator

    G6545UKchristophere · August 2026

    Good 👍🏼

    Good 👍🏼 vhnnc c billing nvbvbbvvvv. Comings nod out bcc

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    1 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $24 to $37
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    400
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Why this scores 64

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)36
    Review evidence (18% weight)86
    Booking momentum (14% weight)84
    Value for money (12% weight)87
    Listing quality (10% weight)75
    Local standing (8% weight)0
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Las Vegas.

    How much does Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino cost?

    +

    Prices start at $24 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Las Vegas usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino take?

    +

    Plan for about 1 hour from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Las Vegas is not rushed.

    Is Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 64 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.1/5 across 1,144 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Las Vegas, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino?

    +

    Around 400 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Las Vegas can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Las Vegas and add a light layer if any part of the 1-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Las Vegas within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Las Vegas?

    +

    Las Vegas sells two trips at once: the Strip after dark, and the red-rock desert that starts twenty minutes past the last casino. Helicopter runs to the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam half-days and Red Rock Canyon drives all leave early, while show tickets, speakeasy crawls and high-roller dining fill the evening. Outty Ranking weighs operator reliability heavily here, because the gap between a well-run desert tour and a coach-and-queue version is enormous. On Outty we rank every Las Vegas experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Small Group: Valley of Fire Half Day Tour from Las Vegas, Small Group Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, 7 Magic Mountains VIP Tour, Grand Canyon West, Hoover Dam Stop, Breakfast, Lunch & Skywalk. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Las Vegas?

    +

    October to April. Summer highs above 105F make midday outdoor tours punishing. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Las Vegas?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino.

    Pick your date