Summary
Guests of the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas have the opportunity to experience a unique adventure. Certified divers aged 18 and older can swim among sharks, schools of fish, and sea turtles in a vast 1.3 million-gallon exhibit. Participants will tour the Shark Reef Aquarium, gaining behind-the-scenes knowledge of aquatic life and an educational experience about often-misunderstood sea creatures.
What to Expect When Diving With Sharks
The aquarium tour is enriching, allowing guests to delve into the details while a guide explains various aspects of the facility. However, the thrill of diving with sharks often overshadows the educational elements. You will be introduced to fascinating facts about sharks and their role in the ecosystem. Furthermore, the tour highlights public education efforts aimed at raising awareness about sharks and their significance in southern Nevada.
Participants gain insight into feeding processes, filtration systems, and ensuring the health of the animals. As the pre-dive orientation begins, divers learn essential safety procedures for both themselves and the creatures involved. The mantra “plan your dive, dive your plan” resonates, emphasizing the importance of safety in an enclosed diving environment.
As you don the protective stainless steel chain maille suit over your wetsuit, the experience feels akin to preparing for an expedition to the Galapagos with a top-notch research crew. Your dive instructor shares abundant shark facts, enhancing the educational aspect before you even enter the water. Consequently, as you descend, the sharks swim around you, creating an awe-inspiring experience.
Review: My Dive With The Sharks at the Shark Reef Aquarium
Experiencing the gentle glide of a dorsal fin against my leg while observing a reef shark was a surreal experience. The underwater world was alive with sharks, and my primary focus was on ensuring I fully absorbed this unforgettable adventure.
Watching a shark swimming gracefully highlights the efficiency and elegance of these magnificent creatures. My previous experiences often involved hurried movements, making it difficult to appreciate their beauty fully. However, this encounter gives the rare opportunity to observe and reflect on their majestic form as they glide by.
Seated on the sandy bottom of the Shark Reef Aquarium, I was surrounded by numerous sharks. Distractions about currents, buoyancy, and food chains faded away, allowing me to appreciate these incredible animals in their natural setting, where I played a subordinate role in their world.
While cultural perceptions often lead to fear or exploitation of sharks, the Shark Reef Aquarium promotes education and awareness of their crucial role in the fragile ocean ecosystem that encompasses us all.
Shark Reef Aquarium Details
This distinctive exhibit features over 30 shark species, including Sandtiger, Sandbar, and White Tip Reef Sharks. The program is available to all Mandalay Bay Hotel guests who are SCUBA certified and over 18 years old.
Reservations are limited.
Included with the dive experience:
- One dive with the sharks in the expansive 1.3 million gallon tank.
- A video recording of your dive.
- Up to 4 admissions for a diver’s guests to the Shark Reef Aquarium (Tour & Exhibition Only) for viewing your dive.
