The Mandalay Bay Shark Reef

For quite some time now, I’ve wanted to see the Shark Reef at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. For some reason, whenever I was with someone, they just didn’t want to go there. Finally, I went by myself a few days ago.

It was a disappointment.

For one thing, it’s a helluva long walk from the entrance to the Shark Reef. I swear it’s a quarter- to half-mile walk. You head for the sign and when you get there, you have to round a bend and head for another sign. Over and over again.

The price isn’t all that bad – $17 or so. I’ve paid more than that to enter aquariums in other cities.

But, if you’ve ever been to a great aquarium, say in New Orleans, or Monterey, or Vancouver, or Chicago, or Chattanooga, you’ll have to agree that the Mandalay Bay Shark Reef doesn’t cut it as a world-class exhibit. It’s accredited and all that, but its offerings are minimal. For example, the shark tunnel that they tout in their advertising is short and unspectacular.

I talked with a couple and their kid as we exited the place. “What do you think?” I asked. “Kind of disappointing,” they replied. “Would you come back?” I asked. “Nope,” they replied.

My recommendation: Skip it; It’s definitely not worth the long walk to get there.