- Constance
- First Reviewer
- 4 out of 5
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Editor Pick
Sharks in The Desert
- November 23, 2009
- Rated 5 of 5 by
Autumnrose2008 from fort Collins, Colorado
After arriving in Vegas we were looking to find new things to do. My family and I make a trip out to vegas at least 2 times a year and finding new stuff to do is really becomining quite a chore.
So after an hour of flipping through the books and seeing what we have never done before my daughter and I chose the shark reef. For this visit we were staying at Excalibur and had to catch the tram to Mandalay bay for the shark reef.
We arrived at Mandalay bay and walked into the casino. We were greeted right away and asked if we needed any help finding anything. I asked for directions to the shark reef and was given an escort to the ticket box office.
we bought our tickets they were not that bad. I actually thought that they would be so much more than what they were 35 dollars. We then walked across the great open area and got into line to see the shark reef. As we stood in the line waiting my daughter read the book that they gave to her and was amazed to learn that Mandalay bay has the only hammerhead sharks in north America in captivity.
The line was moving quite fast and before we knew it we were being admitted to the reef. We walked upstairs and picked up our neat hand held tour guide. I was instructed to hold it like a phone and to push the buttons that correspond with the displays.
The first thing that we saw was a nile Croc. I was very impressed as it was a very large croc. As we moved on we got to see Komodo Dragon they were so close yet so far away. It was very neat to be able to get down to there level and really look them in the eye.
As we continued on we were able to see red bellied piranha, skates and rays, Eels, Jellyfish galore. Then as we moved deeper into the reef and deeper under the water we discovered a sunken pirate ship that housed the sharks and all the larger fish. As we walked in there are several area's that you are able to veiw the sharks that are swimming around. I found the best spot was the spot that showed the ground of the ocean below us, as I looked down I noticed that there were several hammerhead sharks hanging out down in this area. We were able to view them as long as we wanted and to take as many pictures as we wanted as well.
I would have to say that the best part of the visit for us was the hands on area. We were able to touch a baby nurse shark, several rays and skates as well as horseshoe crabs. There were also tanks that were housing jelly fish and you were able to ask questions to the expert about the jelly fish. My daughter was amazed to learn that Jelly fish only have a simple nervous system. Not like many of the other animals she had seen swimming around her.
I would have to say that this was a great experience for us both as we both really had a good time and are looking forward to when we can do it again. The shark reef is a great experience that really makes your vegas trip even more special.
Expensive but Amazing
- May 1, 2009
- Rated 4 of 5 by
artslover from Calgary, Alberta
The admission for this is rather expensive, almost $17, with no discounts for seniors or students but the experience was eye popping, especially, the tunnel where sharks and other animals swim above your head. You get an amazing close up view of the animals often from an underwater viewpoint. There is also a pool where you can touch manta rays and other creatures – if you dare.
At the beginning, they talk your photo which they try to sell you at the end of your visit and there's also a souvenir shop at the end. In other words, this is a very touristy place. The admission includes an audio guide and you walk in one continuous direction from start to end so you won't get lost following the guide. You can linger as long as you like at any spot. Since none of our group lives near an aquarium, this was a unique experience for most of us.
From journal Slow Motion Vacation in Las Vegas
Mandalay Bay Shark Reef
- December 28, 2007
- Rated 3 of 5 by
Sask99 from Melville, Saskatchewan
The Shark Reef is located at the back of the Mandalay Bay Hotel. There are over 100 different species of animals that can be viewed - the most exciting of which are the sharks, piranha, and crocodiles. There are lots of different kinds of fish, as well as jellyfish and eels that are pretty cool, too.
The size and variety of animals that are located here is similar to the one in the Mall of America, but not as extensive as a full-size aquarium. The touchpool is pretty cool and it is always manned by a staff member to explain how you can safely touch what is in there.
There are some descriptions of what the animals are posted, but the written information is limited. They do provide everyone who comes in a device that looks like a telephone that you can use to get more information on each exhibit. You look at the number beside the exhibit, punch it in your device and listen. This provides a fairly extensive amount of information on many of the different spiecies of animal located here.
This is definitely a family-friendly way to spend an hour or so. Adults are $16 and children are $11 which is expensive considering this is not a large aquarium.
There is no food or drink allowed so don't go hungry. There is also no smoking allowed, which is a refreshing change from a lot of Vegas.
The Shark Reef is open 10am to 11pm (last entry is allowed at 10pm). For further information check out the Mandaly Bay website at www.mandalaybay.com or call (702) 632-7777.
From journal Fun Times in Las Vegas
Editor Pick
Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay
- July 8, 2007
- Rated 3 of 5 by
Temagami from Austin, Texas
"1 Year, 1 Million Visitors - None Eaten... Yet" is what our ticket to the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay boasted. Four years later, I'm sure a few million more have visited this attraction - hopefully all without having a bite taken out of them.
My friend and I took the monorail to Mandalay Bay for the sole purpose of visiting the Shark Reef. Once in the hotel, the Reef is tucked away in a far corner that takes quite a while to walk to. Upon arriving, there was a queue to get in, but finally we paid our $15 or so and were given our wands for the auditory commentary of the exhibits.
The aquarium exhibits weren't extraordinary - in fact they were a bit dull. After having visited the aquarium at Sydney Harbour though, most aquariums pale in comparison. However, the stand out point about the Shark Reef was their open pool where you could touch the dangerous creatures inside. The pool had baby sharks, sting rays and horseshoe crabs. It was amusing to see that many people there were afraid to actually touch the animals, but I figured it had to be safe or they wouldn't have been able to get liability insurance!
It's quite possible to zoom through the exhibit in about 10 minutes, however if you take your time and listen to the auditory component of the exhibit you can stretch it to 30-45 minutes. If you've yet to see a shark exhibit, this would be a good starting point. If you've visited aquariums at Sea World in various other cities though, you might find this one boring.
Overall, I enjoyed my time at the Shark Reef and found that it was a worthwhile way to spend a bit of your vacation time. I would recommended it to those who haven't been. Definitely not somewhere I would go back to on return trips to Vegas.
From journal Out on the Razzle in Las Vegas
Editor Pick
Shark Reef at the Mandalay Bay
- January 28, 2007
- Rated 5 of 5 by
mightywease from Carshalton, United Kingdom
Shark Reef at the Mandalay Bay is a walkthrough aquarium where you get the chance to get up close and personal with a variety of fish and sea creatures including, of course, sharks.
You walk through various themed areas— Jungle, Temple, and Shipwreck—guided by both your “passport”, which includes some handy photographs for identifying various species, and an extremely informative audio guide. Along the way you will see what must be some of the most beautiful and bizarre creatures on the planet. Spots, stripes, bright reds, vivacious blues, and poster paint yellow catch your eye, as does the range of shapes and sizes from dainty angelfish to huge tarpons and gracefully sleek stingrays. Try and look out for the lookdown, whose flat face makes it seem as if it has just run into a wall, and the magnificent lionfish, a blend of stripes, fans, and tendrils that looks like it should be fantasy rather than reality.
Rays swim in a small pool where you are encouraged—under supervision—to touch them. It’s a strange sensation. I thought they would be soft and squashy but instead they felt rather hard and leathery. A nearby display of jellyfish again look like creations of an imagination run wild.
The culmination of the tour is the shipwreck where, in a huge tank, sharks and fish swim round, under and above you. The sharks are amazing creatures, inspiring an almost primeval sense of both fear and respect. Wait for one to swim over our head so you can see its rows of teeth and feel that slight tremor go up your spine.
Education and conservation are two of the aims of the aquarium—it has links to various organisations that promote research and conservation—and I liked the last page of the passport guide that gives some small tips about how people can try and help conserve the environment.
From journal Viva Las Vegas!