Shark Reef Aquarium Celebrates 25 “Fin-Tastic” Years with Anniversary Weekend Celebration and Summer-Long Offerings
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay will celebrate its 25th anniversary on June 20, marking a quarter-century of marine education, conservation and unforgettable guest experiences. To commemorate the milestone, the aquarium will launch a series of special events, exclusive offers and engaging activities, kicking off with a celebratory anniversary weekend from Friday, June 20 through Sunday, June 22.
Since opening in 2000, Shark Reef Aquarium has welcomed more than 21 million guests and provided educational opportunities to over 300,000 students. The aquarium features 1.6 million gallons of water across 14 major exhibits, home to over 3,400 animals and 140 species. As Nevada’s first and only facility accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), Shark Reef participates in eight Species Survival Plans and has contributed more than $1 million to conservation and research efforts in partnership with MGM Resorts. The aquarium also plays a vital role in global initiatives, including the donation of 28 zebra shark eggs to Indonesia’s StAR Project – the first shark repopulation program of its kind – and the ongoing advancement of breeding research for the endangered Devils Hole Pupfish in partnership with federal and state wildlife agencies.
Anniversary experiences include the following:
Anniversary Weekend (June 20-22)
- Discounted admission to Shark Reef Aquarium and Undersea Explorer VR Theater
- $25 – Adults (ages 13+)
- $20 – Children (ages 5-12)
- Valid for online and on-site purchases; no additional discounts or offers apply
- Meet and greet and photo op with Finn, Shark Reef’s beloved mascot
- Educational activities in the interactive classroom
- Family-friendly scavenger hunt with fun prizes
- Behind-the-scenes sneak peek into the diver prep area and an exclusive view into the 1.3-million-gallon shipwreck exhibit
- Activities to take place throughout the day
$10 Summer Tuesdays for Nevada Locals (June 24-August 26)
Nevada residents can enjoy $10 admission to Shark Reef Aquarium every Tuesday this summer.
- Valid for ages 5 and up
- Must show valid Nevada-issued ID
- Admission does not include Undersea Explorer VR Theater
- Subject to availability; offer is only available for in-person same day purchases at the box office
Summer-Long Offerings (Beginning June 20, while supplies last)
- Commemorative photo opportunities with a 25th anniversary backdrop and collectible photo folder by Cashman Photo
- Limited-edition merchandise including plush toys, apparel, hats, drinkware and more
- Drink specials at Mandalay Bay Beach and select bars and lounges at the resort, served in a limited-edition shark cup
Attractions Bundle: 2-for-$55 (Now through Sept. 1)
For visitors seeking even more adventure and entertainment, MGM Resorts is offering a limited-time bundle that includes two attractions for $55, including Shark Reef Aquarium. Other participating experiences include Bob Marley Hope Road the Experience; BODIES…The Exhibition; Tutankhamun: The Exhibition; The Big Apple Coaster; and Max Flight. This offer is only available for in-person purchases at any MGM Resorts box office.
Tickets for Shark Reef Aquarium are available for purchase online or at the box office. All tickets and anniversary offerings are subject to availability.
Shark Reef Aquarium Fun Facts
- Since opening its doors on June 20, 2000, Shark Reef Aquarium has welcomed over 21 million guests.
- Guests of the aquarium are surrounded by more shark teeth than hotel rooms at Mandalay Bay, W Las Vegas and Four Seasons (10,000 shark teeth vs. 4,750 rooms.)
- Shark Reef Aquarium holds a total of 1.6 million gallons of freshwater and saltwater in 14 major exhibits.
- Shark Reef Aquarium is the first and only facility in Nevada accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). The aquarium participates in eight Species Survival Plans (SSP) through the AZA – a cooperative breeding program for sustainable animal populations.
- Shark Reef Aquarium is one of the greatest contributors of zebra shark eggs with 28 eggs for the StAR Project, the first ever shark repopulation conservation program located in Indonesia. Shark Reef was the first animal care facility to contribute viable eggs from North America.
- In partnership with US Fish & Wildlife and the Nevada Department of Wildlife and National Park Service, Shark Reef Aquarium has contributed to the breeding research and conservation of the Devils Hole Pupfish since 2005. In 2020, Shark Reef opened an exhibit to share their story, the only native species exhibited.
- The animals eat more than 500 pounds of food each week, equating to 325 tons over the past 25 years.
- OD (Ocean Diver), the green sea turtle, was rescued twice in the ocean before moving to Shark Reef Aquarium. He made national news as he flew from Florida to Las Vegas courtesy of FedEx.
- The Water Quality Lab performs daily analyses of all the exhibits and has performed over 1.5 million tests in the last 25 years.
- Neptune’s Fury, the Shipwreck Exhibit, is the largest tropical shark exhibit west of the Mississippi at 1.3 million gallons.
- The saltwater in the Shipwreck Exhibit is fully filtered every three hours and has filtered an astounding 116.8 billion gallons over the last 25 years.
- The Shark Reef staff has made over 30,000 dives since 2000. No divers have been injured by sharks.
- Baby sharks and rays are called “pups.” Shark Reef has had 359 pups in the last 25 years. Some are still at the aquarium, while many have moved to other aquariums, which create more sustainable populations.
- Shark Reef Aquarium cares for one of the oldest Komodo dragons living under human care. With a lifespan of approximately 30 years, the aquarium’s Komodo dragon is currently 26 years old.
- To conserve water, Shark Reef was designed to refilter and recycle water in a closed system. This has resulted in over 50 million gallons of reclaimed water in 25 years.
- Since the Dive Proposal program started in 2017, 77 couples have said “YES!” and 835 wedding ceremonies have been held in the Aquarium.
ABOUT SHARK REEF AQUARIUM
Shark Reef Aquarium is the only Nevada institution accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The aquarium has over 3,400 animals and 140 species including 14 types of sharks on display within 1.6 million gallons of water and 14 major exhibits. Shark Reef offers feeding experiences with sharks, sea turtles and stingrays as well as the Undersea Explorer VR theater that takes guests on an immersive virtual journey under the water’s surface.
Tickets are available for purchase at Shark Reef Aquarium Box Office or online. For additional information, call (702) 632-4555 or visit the Shark Reef Aquarium website.
ABOUT MANDALAY BAY
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is set on 120 lush acres featuring Mandalay Bay Beach, a tropical pool paradise with real sand. The Michelob ULTRA Arena, award-winning restaurants, exhilarating entertainment, unique shopping, Shark Reef Aquarium and the 2-million-square-foot convention center combine to make Mandalay Bay a captivating Las Vegas resort destination. The resort offers three distinct hotel experiences: Mandalay Bay with 3,211 luxurious rooms and suites reflecting a modern tropical ambiance; Four Seasons Hotel, offering 424 rooms and suites; and the luxury all-suite W Las Vegas. Mandalay Bay is operated by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM). For more information and reservations, visit mandalaybay.com, call toll free at (877) 632-7800, or find us on Instagram, Facebook and X.