Shark Reef Aquarium

Shark Reef Aquarium is a walk-through aquarium inside the Mandalay Bay resort at 3950 S Las Vegas Blvd, on the South Strip of Las Vegas, Nevada. Its exhibits hold some 2,000 animals, including sharks, rays, sea turtles, piranhas, jellyfish and golden crocodiles, arranged in a route themed around a sunken temple and shipwreck. The centerpiece is a shipwreck tank of about 1.3 million gallons, which visitors view through a glass tunnel with sharks and large fish swimming overhead. Other galleries feature a touch pool with stingrays, a jellyfish display and reptile habitats. A typical visit takes one to one and a half hours, as the route is a single self-guided path. Photographers do best at the glass tunnel, where animals pass close and light is strongest, and at the large windows of the main shark tank. Admission is about $29 for timed entry or $36 for anytime tickets before tax, with reduced prices for children aged 4 to 12 and free entry for children three and under. The aquarium is open daily from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with last admission at 7:00 PM, though holiday hours can be shorter. Crowds build on weekends and school holidays, especially around midday, while weekday mornings are the quietest. Because the aquarium sits at the far south end of the Strip, many visitors reach it via the free tram that links Excalibur, Luxor and Mandalay Bay, or by Deuce bus. It suits families and visitors looking for a break from heat or casino areas.