The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is one of the most popular attractions inside the Dubai Mall, and it is easy to see why. A giant tank holding around 10 million litres of water and more than 33,000 animals sits at the heart of the mall, and you can walk through it in a glass tunnel, ride above it in a glass-bottom boat or even dive in with the sharks. This guide explains what you will see, which tickets and experiences are worth buying, how to get there, how long to allow and how to avoid the crowds.
Is the Dubai Aquarium Worth Visiting?
Yes, especially if you are travelling with children or visiting in summer. The aquarium is air-conditioned, takes between one and a half and three hours, and combines easily with the Dubai Mall’s other attractions. If you are on a tight budget or short of time, you can still see the main tank for free from outside, while the paid ticket adds the walk-through tunnel and the Underwater Zoo upstairs.
Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo at a Glance
- Location: ground floor and Level 2 of the Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai
- Main tank: about 10 million litres of water and more than 33,000 animals from over 140 species, including hundreds of sharks and rays
- Tunnel: a glass tunnel about 48 metres long that passes through the tank
- Typical visit: one and a half to three hours
- Standard ticket: from around AED 140 to 155 for adults, with higher-priced passes that add extras
- Opening hours: usually from 10 am until late evening, with later closing at weekends
- Best for: families, animal lovers, photography and hot-weather days
What You Can See at the Dubai Aquarium
The aquarium tank and tunnel
The main tank is the star of the attraction. It is described as one of the world’s largest suspended aquariums, and you can look at it for free from the mall concourse, which is why there is often a crowd in front of the glass. The paid tunnel takes you underneath and around the water, so sharks, rays and shoals of fish swim above and beside you. The attraction also says the tank holds a large collection of sand tiger sharks, which are easy to recognise by their toothy grins.
The Underwater Zoo
The Underwater Zoo is on Level 2 and is divided into three zones that show different habitats:
- Rocky Shore: Humboldt penguins and giant spider crabs
- Rainforest: piranhas, otters and other freshwater and tropical animals
- Living Ocean: a mix of marine animals, including seahorses, lionfish and garden eels
It is the best part of the attraction for young children, because the animals are close and there are things to touch and learn.
King Croc
The most famous resident is King Croc, a very large saltwater crocodile that weighs hundreds of kilograms and measures more than five metres. He lives in a large enclosure on Level 2 and is one of the attraction’s most popular animals. Special encounters let some visitors get closer, but these cost extra and have age limits.
Experiences and Add-Ons
Glass-bottom boat ride
The glass-bottom boat floats on the surface of the main tank, so you look down on the sharks and rays from above. Each boat carries up to ten passengers and leaves from the Underwater Zoo every 10 to 20 minutes. It is included in the higher-priced Explorer or Gold tickets rather than the standard ticket.
Cage snorkelling and shark encounters
For more adventure, you can snorkel in a cage in the tank or take part in a guided shark encounter. These are for adults and older children, and the exact age and health rules change, so check them when you book. Cage experiences are priced separately and cost far more than the standard ticket, and the number of daily slots is limited, so book ahead.
Scuba diving
Certified and beginner divers can dive in the main tank with the sharks and rays, with instructors providing a briefing and equipment. There are age restrictions and health requirements, and anyone who is pregnant or has a medical condition will not be able to take part. This is the most expensive option and has very limited daily slots.
VR Zoo and behind-the-scenes tours
The VR Zoo offers virtual-reality experiences for visitors who prefer to stay dry, and the higher-priced tickets can include a behind-the-scenes tour of the aquarium’s operations. Check which items are included in the pass you plan to buy.
Animal feeding and encounters
Feeding sessions and animal encounters take place at set times, with age and height limits. If you want to take part, ask at the entrance for the day’s schedule as soon as you arrive.
Dubai Aquarium Tickets: What to Buy
- Standard (Silver or Day Pass): from around AED 140 to 155, with access to the tunnel and the Underwater Zoo
- Explorer or Gold Pass: from around AED 200 to 270, adding the glass-bottom boat, fish feeding and extras such as a behind-the-scenes tour or simulator, depending on the package
- VIP or Platinum: a higher tier with skip-the-line access and an animal encounter
- Shark dives and cage snorkelling: sold separately at much higher prices, so check current rates
- Combo tickets: some packages combine the aquarium with the Burj Khalifa or Aquaventure Waterpark, which can save money
Prices change by season and by seller, so check the official website or a trusted booking platform. Young children usually have lower prices, and the youngest are free in some packages.
How to Get to the Dubai Aquarium
- Metro: take the Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station and follow the covered, air-conditioned walkway to the mall. It takes roughly 10 to 15 minutes. See our guide to the Dubai Mall.
- Taxi or ride-hailing: the easiest option, with drop-off at the mall entrances
- Car: there is parking at the mall, but it gets full at weekends and on evenings with a fountain show
- Hotel shuttles: some hotels near Downtown run free shuttles to the mall, so ask at reception
Best Time to Visit the Dubai Aquarium
- Quietest: weekday mornings, shortly after opening
- Busiest: weekends, school holidays and evenings
- Best season: any time, but it is a particularly good choice in summer when outdoor sights are too hot. See our Dubai weather guide.
How to Plan Your Visit
If you have 2 hours
Buy a standard ticket, walk through the tunnel, spend time in the Underwater Zoo and watch the main tank from the mall concourse on your way out.
If you have half a day
Book the Explorer or Gold ticket for the glass-bottom boat, then have lunch in the mall and watch the Dubai Fountain show in the evening.
If you have a full day
Combine the aquarium with the Burj Khalifa and the mall’s other attractions. For more ideas, read our list of the best shopping malls in Dubai.
Practical Tips
- Book tickets online in advance, particularly for weekends and any extra experiences.
- Arrive early or in the late evening to avoid the longest queues.
- Check the age, height and health rules before booking cage snorkelling, diving or encounters.
- Do not use flash photography, because it disturbs the animals.
- Wear comfortable shoes and keep a light layer for the cool, air-conditioned interior.
- Check opening hours before you go, because they change on public holidays and during Ramadan.
Dubai Aquarium: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Dubai Aquarium free?
You can see the main tank from outside for free, but entering the tunnel and the Underwater Zoo needs a ticket.
How long does it take to visit the Dubai Aquarium?
Most visitors spend between one and a half and three hours, depending on the experiences they choose.
How much are tickets for the Dubai Aquarium?
Standard tickets start at around AED 140 to 155, and higher-priced passes add extras. Prices change, so check before you book.
What is the best ticket to buy?
The Explorer or Gold Pass is the best choice if you want the glass-bottom boat, while the standard ticket is enough for the tunnel and the zoo.
Can you swim with sharks at the Dubai Aquarium?
Yes, there are dive and cage experiences with limited daily slots and age restrictions, and they cost much more than a standard ticket.
Is the Dubai Aquarium good for children?
Yes. The tunnel, the penguins, the otters and the interactive zones suit most ages, although some experiences have age limits.
Where is the Dubai Aquarium?
It is inside the Dubai Mall in Downtown Dubai, next to the Burj Khalifa.
Final Thoughts
The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is one of the best indoor attractions in the city, and the standard ticket already covers the tunnel and zoo. Add the glass-bottom boat if you can, book ahead and plan it together with the fountain show or the Burj Khalifa. For more ideas on what to do in Dubai, see our guide to the Dubai Mall.
