Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay

With over 2,000 animals in 1.6 million
gallons of seawater the Shark Reef at
Mandalay Bay is North America's only
predator-based aquarium. Here you find the
most intriguing water creatures such as
sawfish, stingrays, piranha, Golden
Crocodiles, hammerheads and many more
sharks.

Upon entry guests are given what looks like
a hand held remote. A souvenir photo is
taken and then your on your way through a
self guided tour. Each exhibit is labeled with
the animals name and number which guest
punch into their remote to listen to
prerecorded messages with interesting facts
about each animal, it's harder to pay
attention to the information this way, but it
enables you to take your time.

We were surprised to hear that crocodiles
can go up to a year without eating and that
the largest of jellyfish can stretch across a
basketball court. It was strange that the
Green Sea Turtle doesn't get it's name from
it's shell, but rather from it's fatty tissue.
Interestingly Saw Fish use their saws to dig
for mollusks, slash their prey and even wield
it as a sword to defend themselves.

The highlight of the tour is at the end where
a spectacular aquarium can only be entered
through a glass tunnel with sharks
overhead. Here a shipwreck scene is set
with planked floors and a partial glass floor
which is a bit intimidating to stand on.

The first time we went through the tour it
took less than 30 minutes making me feel
that the whole experience was overpriced.

On a recent visit however took our time, used our listening devices and
learned about the animals which was much more fun.

Perhaps the best time to come is on Monday, Wednesday or Fridays
when they feed the piranhas sometime between the hours of 10:00 A.M.
and 2:00 P.M.

Open daily 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Prices: Adults $15.95, Children 5-12 $9.95 and children under 4 are free

Located at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas

Telephone (702) 632-4555

Website: www.mandalaybay.com