You Can Swim With Sharks in the Middle of the Desert at Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay

Evie Carrick
·1 min read
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay Resort, Las Vegas
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay Resort, Las Vegas

Courtesy of MGM Resorts International

Las Vegas may be located in a landlocked state, but it is Vegas — and somehow that makes it less surprising that it’s home to North America’s only predator-based aquarium. In true Vegas fashion, visitors can find the one-of-a-kind site at the iconic Mandalay Bay resort. In addition to showcasing exotic sea animals, the Mandalay Bay Shark Reef Aquarium offers guests the chance to swim with them.

Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay Resort, Las Vegas
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay Resort, Las Vegas

MGM Resorts International.

The aquarium is home to around 15 species of sharks, including sand tiger, sandbar, and white tip reef sharks. After a tour of the aquarium and an equipment orientation, scuba certified guests can test their courage — and get a healthy dose of adrenaline — by diving into a 1.3-million-gallon tank full of predators.

Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay Resort, Las Vegas
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay Resort, Las Vegas

AP Photo/Las Vegas News Bureau, Darrin Bush

The experience costs $650 for one diver and $1,000 for two. The price includes equipment and a video of your underwater excursion. Reservations are available for Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons. To book, call the Mandalay Bay concierge at (877) 305-3136.

For visitors who are not ready to make the dive, a tunnel running across the tank offers an almost 360-degree view of the underwater world. The Shark Reef Aquarium boasts 14 exhibits and is home to over 2,000 animals including piranhas, giant stingrays, and endangered green sea turtles.