Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay

3950 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA

Address:	3950 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA
Phone:	+1 702-632-4555
Site:	mandalaybay.com
Rating:	4.1
Working:	10AM–7:15PM 10AM–7:15PM 10AM–7:15PM 10AM–7:15PM 10AM–9:15PM 10AM–9:15PM 10AM–7:15PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 5

Avisor Wt

Das perfekte Kontrastprogramm in der Powerstadt Las Vegas. Wer von Las Vegas etwas Ruhe braucht und mal ein etwas anderes Aquarium kennenlernen möchte, der kommt am „Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay“, nicht vorbei. Das atemberaubende „Shark Reef Aquarium“ befindet sich, im inneren des Hotels ,, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino“, auf dem Las Vegas Strip. Es beherbergt über 2.000 Meerestiere, 15 verschiedene Arten der Meerestiere wie Haie (allein über 10 verschiedene Haiarten), exotische Fische, Reptilien und Schildkröten können in insgesamt 14 Ausstellungen bestaunt werden. Zu den Ausstellungen gehören unter anderem seltene Goldkrokodile, riesige pazifische Oktopusse, Piranhas, giftige Rotfeuerfische, karibische Papageifische und Stachelrochen. Den Eintrittspreis von ca. 32.-$ (Senior Discount) haben wir nicht bereut. Es war einfach wunderschön und einmalig. Für uns ein etwas anderes Aquarium, welches wir bis jetzt gesehen haben und das waren schon einige. Dazu gehört u. a. der Unterwassertunnel (Hai-Tunnel aus Acryl), wodurch man einen fast 360-Grad-Blick auf die vielen Haie und Fische hat. Das Hauptbassin ist mit ca. 5 Mio. Liter Salzwasser eines der größten in Nordamerika. Eine weitere besondere Attraktion ist die riesengroße Schiffswrack – Ausstellung, mit ungewöhnlichen Wassertieren aus den weltweit tropischen Gewässern. Einfach einmalig. Muss man gesehen haben. Für uns neu, war der sogenannte Berührungspool (Touch-Pool), in dem wir bestimmte Meerestiere, wie z. B. einen Rochen, mit der Hand zu berühren (natürlich unter ständiger Aufsicht). Mal eine ganz andere Erfahrung. Das Shark Reef Aquarium im Hotel Mandalay Bay ist ein absolutes Highlight in Las Vegas und eben nicht das typische Aquarium, so wie wir dies kennen. In Las Vegas ist alles möglich und wir können dieses Highlight, auch aufgrund des sehr guten Preis-/Leistungsverhältnis, auf jeden Fall weiterempfehlen.

Pete Shieh

I thought this would be kind of fun for the kiddos to see, as it turned out as everything with Vegas, it was just a lot of walking. So to get here, you can just park at the parking structure. Walk to the elevator, go down to Casino level, hang a right, and go for about 800 yards. I already had comped tickets through the MLife booth but since I got there at 9pm (that would be the latest you can come because it states you need to arrive an hour before they close at 10pm on weekends). I had to wait in line since there was only one person in charge on giving out tickets. I did notice a separate VIP/Will Call area. I didnt want to a total dick and cut in front of everyone. Of course, right before I got to the front of the line, some A * Hole with a Platinum MLife card cut in front of me. Granted this only took about 10 minutes, it will still 10 minutes out of my time. You go upstairs and go through a series of turns. You will immediately notice the moisture/smell of the area. I thought it was very authentic of them making this place more like the wild. That, I kind of liked. I didnt quite enjoy the narrow passage ways. Thank goodness I went at night when it wasnt too many people. I cannot imagine if it had more people there than it already was. Yes, I do live by the aquarium in Long Beach and yes I will have to say the interaction is better there. Space wise it is bigger as well. But fish/shark wise, this place seems to have a really good mixture. I had asked the hostess how long it would take for the whole tour. She said 45 minutes or so. I strolled through in less than 15 minutes. I will have to say this is a good experience for young kids and a way to get your mind off of the smokey gambling casinos. But I personally wouldnt pay $18 for entrance and thank goodness kids 4 and under are free. The best thing we saw there was the saw shark. He was ginormous. Nice way to kill time if youre down on your luck.

Brittany Geary

Im giving them a 1 star review even though our tickets were free if that tells you anything. Went on Monday. Purchased our tickets using myvegas rewards points. Not much of a line, but the walks and tanks were so small its easy to feel smothered with even just a few people. My problem? 1.) After visiting the Newport Aquarium in Kentucky (whose tickets cost the same as Shark Reef), this aquarium was so underwhelming. 2.) Not a lot of activities and not very interactive. 3.) The animals just looked miserable. The single golden crocodile looked so incredibly bored and lonely. You would think that him being endangered would be cause to mate him and release their children (you know conservation which they so proudly claim they are doing). However, the tank was an UNACCEPTABLE size for just him. Absolutely no room for him just to be a crocodile. The water for him to swim in was smaller then some childrens pools Ive seen. 4.) Same goes for the Komodo Dragon. One Dragon. Ridiculously small enclosure. How does he fit into the aquarium atmosphere anyways. Seems out of place. They need to give him over to an actual zoo with more of his species. 5.) Saw one shark with an downturned fin. I hope they are addressing this which I doubt. Most likely from too many sharks in their aquarium. Though the tank is big, I think they stuffed to many sharks in one area. 5.) The entire time I was there, I got an icky feeling and I couldnt help but think of the message that Finding Dory was trying to convey. Dont get me wrong Im not anti zoo or aquarium. I love visiting the Columbus zoo and aquarium in Ohio, but this one just didnt give me a happy feeling. Just greedy casino owners profiting off miserable animals and uneducated tourists that dont know any better. 6.) Also the animals in the touch pool looked to be an a constant state of terror. Never again.

Sara Last Wheat

Maybe Ive been spoiled by the aquarium in Salt Lake City, but this experience was HORRIBLE, especially in comparison. Firstly, the "aquarium" is set up like an IKEA: theres only one way through the entire thing. If youd like to meander, wander, stop for a while at an exhibit and go back and forth, forget it. Theres a line of people constantly moving through and you cant go against it. In Salt Lake, the entire (MUCH BIGGER, LESS EXPENSIVE) aquarium is open-floored so you can plan your own visit and take your time and see everything youd like to as many times as possible. The touching pool here is teeny, and there are no starfish. Only sting rays and hermit crabs, which are so far down that children cant reach. I was up to my elbow and Im quite tall. Most of the exhibits are just fish tanks built into the wall instead of large open tanks you can look into as well. Even the shark enclosure is much smaller than Salt Lakes. It seems like they had a space, didnt know what to do with it, and threw together a few fish tanks and called it good. After we left, my three-year-old said, "Can we go to the real aquarium?" We also had to wait 15 minutes in line, which Im given to understand is a short amount since some people wait more than an hour (if this is you, just turn around and walk out. Youll thank me). For a city the size of Las Vegas, I cant believe this is the best they have to offer in terms of aquatic education. Total disappointment.

Fuzzy Navels

The Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay is certainly the best aquarium in Vegas, but whether or not that makes it worth a visit depends on what other aquariums youve seen lately. Compared to many aquariums throughout the country in places like Gatlinburg, Myrtle Beach, Denver, and so forth, its seemingly small and lackluster. Yes, it has sharks and yes, you can pet the manta rays, but in Vegas, things are over the top and this just isnt. All in all, I would say the Shark Reef aquarium at Mandalay Bay is "fine" but it wont leave you going "wow," which is a shame considering that so much of Vegas does. When writing the review for the site, I couldnt help but think checking out the aquarium at the Silverton (for free) or having dinner & looking at the aquariums at Rainforest Cafe (in the MGM) would both be better options. Guess it all just depends on how much you like standing in an acrylic tube with sharks swimming overhead. ;-)