
Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
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
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
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






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 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral 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.
Beautiful Reef. I...
Beautiful Reef. I enjoyed watching the sharks and other sea creatures. This is a nice place to visit.
via Viator
Smaller than I expected.
Way more smaller than I expected.
via Tripadvisor
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
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
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.
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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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.
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