Palma de Mallorca: Shark Dive at Palma Aquarium

Palma Aquarium’s Big Blue tank gives you something rare: a close underwater look at 11 large sharks without heading out to sea. Rays and hundreds of fish share the water, so the sharks are only part of the show. I like the careful 40-minute briefing and the fact that an instructor remains with you throughout the session.

I also like the value for a pair, since your booking includes aquarium admission for you and one companion. The main catch is preparation: you need a diving medical certificate from the last 12 months and suitable accident cover, and strict flight timing rules apply.

Key points to know

• 11 large sharks in one tank: The Big Blue is one of Europe’s deepest shark tanks, with sharks, rays, and hundreds of fish around you.
• Two depth limits: You can reach 8.5 meters with a diving license, or up to 4 meters without one.
• A long safety briefing: Plan on about 40 minutes of instruction and preparation before the 30-minute underwater session.
• Aquarium entry for two: The participant and one companion receive admission to Palma Aquarium, useful for making this a half-day outing.
• Private-group format: The activity is arranged as a private group, with instruction available in English, Spanish, or German.
• Paperwork matters: You must bring a diving medical certificate issued within the last 12 months, and you cannot take the session close to a flight.

Meeting the sharks in Palma Aquarium’s Big Blue

The main attraction is simple and hard to forget: you enter a large aquarium tank with sharks swimming nearby. The Big Blue is one of the deepest shark tanks in Europe, and the session includes 11 large sharks, rays, and many other fish.

This is not a quick look through a glass tunnel. You are fitted with scuba equipment and enter the water under an instructor’s care. That changes the experience from watching marine life to sharing its space, even if only for 30 minutes.

The setting also makes the session predictable. You are not dealing with waves, poor visibility, or the chance that wildlife will stay far away. The trade-off is that this is an aquarium experience rather than an open-water encounter. If your dream is to meet sharks in the sea, treat this as a controlled first step, not a replacement for an ocean qualification or a wild-animal expedition.

The sharks are described as friendly, but that does not mean casual. You will be briefed on how to behave in the tank and how to stay safe. The close distance can feel intense, especially when a large shark passes near you, so the preparation time is useful rather than filler.

The 40-minute briefing sets the tone

Your instructor begins with an explanation of the Big Blue tank and the safety rules. Expect this part to take about 40 minutes, including preparation before entering the water.

That is a fairly large portion of the experience, but I see it as a strength. The session is not built around rushing you into the tank for a quick photograph. You have time to understand the setting, ask questions, and get comfortable with the equipment.

Past sessions have been led by friendly, attentive instructors, including a guide named Louis. The available languages are English, Spanish, and German. If language matters to you, select the right option when booking and confirm the language of your assigned instructor.

The briefing is especially important if you do not hold a diving license. Non-certified participants can go to a maximum of 4 meters, while licensed divers may reach 8.5 meters. Four meters is still plenty for a close look at sharks, and the shallower limit may help a first-time participant feel less pressured.

This is not a good place to bluff your way through a medical or diving requirement. You need a medical certificate issued within the past 12 months. You also need your own accident diving insurance, although the activity information separately says diving insurance is included. Because those statements do not line up perfectly, confirm exactly what the provider supplies and what you must arrange before arriving.

Thirty minutes beside sharks, rays, and fish

After the briefing and equipment preparation, the scuba session lasts about 30 minutes. The official depth limit depends on your qualifications, but the value of the session comes from proximity rather than depth.

You may see sharks pass close by, with rays and schools of fish moving through the same space. One of the strongest parts of the setup is the variety. You are not waiting for a single animal to appear. The Big Blue has several kinds of marine life in motion, which keeps the short session visually busy.

The instructor stays with you, explains what is happening, and helps you manage the equipment. That support matters when your attention is split between breathing, body position, and a shark moving into view. The best approach is to follow instructions, move calmly, and let the animals come near rather than chasing them.

A licensed diver may appreciate the 8.5-meter limit and the extra room that comes with it. A non-licensed participant should not feel shortchanged at 4 meters. You still have an underwater encounter with large sharks, and the lower depth can make the experience less demanding for someone new to scuba equipment.

The session is short enough to fit into a day at Palma Aquarium, but do not expect a long technical dive. If you already have substantial scuba experience, the attraction is the unusual setting and close animal contact, not challenging conditions or extended bottom time.

What your companion can do behind the glass

The booking includes aquarium admission for the participant and one companion. This is one of the smartest parts of the package, especially if only one person in your party wants to enter the tank.

Your companion can visit Palma Aquarium while you prepare, and family members can watch the underwater action through the viewing panels. That viewing option adds real value. A parent, partner, or friend does not have to stand around with nothing to do, and can photograph or film the session from outside the tank.

The aquarium visit after the underwater session is listed at about 1.5 hours. I would use that time to slow down and see the wider collection rather than treating the shark session as the entire outing. The tank encounter is the headline, but the aquarium admission turns the booking into a fuller visit.

One practical note: photography is not clearly included. Some participants have wished they had brought a phone capable of taking pictures underwater, while staff have photographed certain sessions from outside. Do not assume an official photo package is part of the price. If images matter to you, ask what is permitted and bring only equipment approved by the staff.

Is $247 good value?

The listed price is $247 for a group of up to one participant, so read the wording carefully. It appears to cover the person taking part, with a free aquarium entry for one companion. That makes the package more useful for a parent and child, a couple where only one person wants the underwater session, or a birthday gift.

The price includes the instructor, diving equipment, the participant’s aquarium entry, and companion admission. It also says diving insurance is included, but the separate requirement for your own accident diving insurance needs clarification. Contact Palma Aquarium before you pay if you do not already have the required cover.

For the participant, the paid portion includes a 40-minute briefing and preparation plus 30 minutes in the tank. Add roughly 1.5 hours for the aquarium visit, and you have a compact half-day plan. The total value is stronger if your companion would otherwise buy a standard aquarium ticket.

The package is less compelling if you only want to see sharks through glass. Regular aquarium admission should be enough for that purpose, while this price is aimed at someone who specifically wants the scuba encounter. It is also not the cheapest way to gain general diving experience, since the session is short and tightly controlled.

I think it works best as a special occasion purchase. Several bookings have been used as birthday gifts or to fulfill a long-held wish, and the combination of a rare setting, instructor support, and aquarium entry gives the day a clear sense of occasion.

Timing around flights and weather

You need to plan this activity around your travel schedule. The instructions say the session cannot take place 12 hours before or after flying, while another part of the activity information gives a 24-hour restriction. Since the two published limits differ, use the stricter 24-hour buffer unless Palma Aquarium confirms otherwise in writing.

This rule is not a minor detail. You should avoid scheduling the shark session on the day you fly into Mallorca or the day you fly home. Leave a full buffer so a flight delay does not put you in breach of the safety requirement.

Availability can also depend on weather and biological conditions. The experience takes place in an aquarium, but the provider still reserves the right to adjust or cancel it if conditions affect the animals or the operation. Plan a flexible day rather than placing this appointment next to another fixed booking.

Free cancellation is available up to three days in advance for a full refund. The same flexibility does not cover arriving without the required certificate, insurance, or flight separation. No refund is given for failing to meet those conditions.

Who should book this experience?

This suits you if you want a close shark encounter but prefer a controlled aquarium setting. It is also a good choice for someone who has never used scuba equipment and wants an introductory session with an instructor nearby.

Licensed divers will enjoy the chance to reach 8.5 meters in a tank built around large marine animals. Still, experienced divers should keep expectations in check. There is no indication of a long or technically demanding underwater route.

The private-group format is another plus. You are not being folded into a large public show, and the instructor can focus on the people in the session. The exact group arrangement should be confirmed when you book, since the supplied information identifies the activity as private but does not give a fixed maximum number.

This is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. You should also think carefully if you dislike enclosed spaces, have concerns about scuba equipment, or are uncomfortable being close to large animals. The instructor’s calm guidance can help, but it cannot remove every personal concern.

Families should pay close attention to the participant requirements. The available information does not give a minimum age, so confirm age rules before booking for a child or teenager. One 17-year-old participant used the experience as a birthday gift, but that does not establish the official minimum age.

My practical verdict on the Palma shark session

I like this activity because it gets to the point. You receive proper preparation, a half-hour underwater session, and aquarium entry for a companion. The sharks are close, the setting is unusual, and the instructor support takes much of the fear out of a first encounter.

The paperwork and flight restrictions are the weak spots. You need the medical certificate, appropriate accident cover, and careful timing. The conflicting 12-hour and 24-hour flight instructions also deserve a direct question before you reserve.

Book it if meeting sharks from inside the Big Blue tank is a major goal, especially for a birthday, a first scuba experience, or a memorable Palma outing. Skip it if you only want standard aquarium admission, need a long open-water session, or cannot meet the medical and flight requirements.

FAQ

Where does the shark experience take place?

It takes place at Palma Aquarium in Mallorca, in the Big Blue tank.

How long does the full activity last?

The scheduled parts include a 40-minute safety briefing, a 30-minute scuba session, and about 1.5 hours to visit the aquarium.

How many sharks are in the tank?

The experience includes 11 large sharks, along with rays and hundreds of different fish.

How deep can I go without a diving license?

Without a diving license, you can go up to 4 meters.

How deep can a licensed diver go?

A participant with a diving license can go up to 8.5 meters.

Is an instructor included?

Yes. The activity includes an instructor, and instruction is available in English, Spanish, and German.

Does a companion receive aquarium admission?

Yes. The participant and one companion receive entry to Palma Aquarium.

What medical document do I need?

You must present a diving medical certificate issued within the last 12 months.

Can I do the activity close to a flight?

No. The supplied instructions say the session cannot take place close to flying. One section specifies 12 hours before or after a flight, while another specifies 24 hours. Confirm the exact rule with Palma Aquarium and allow the safer 24-hour gap.