Sharks close enough to feel real. This experience pairs a Big Blue tank swim with a top-notch instructor and a lineup of 11 large sharks plus rays and lots of fish. I also like how the coaching keeps the whole thing calm and controlled. One thing to plan around: you’ll need a recent medical certificate, and there are strict rules about flying timing.

You spend part of the day getting set up properly, not just jumping in. After your safety briefing and underwater gear check, you get a focused, short tank session and then time to enjoy the aquarium at your own pace with your companion.

If you’re expecting a casual, no-paperwork activity, this won’t be it. And if you have mobility limits, it’s listed as not suitable.

Key points worth knowing

• Big Blue tank is one of Europe’s deeper shark tanks, so the scale feels serious.
• 11 large sharks (plus rays and lots of fish) means you’re not just seeing one animal.
• A qualified instructor runs a full safety briefing before you enter the water.
• You get scuba equipment and an instructor during the tank session.
• Depth limits change based on whether you have a license (up to 8.5 m vs 4 m).
• Booking includes free Palma Aquarium entry for your companion after the session.

Arriving at Palma Aquarium: where the day starts

Your day starts at Palma Aquarium. Expect to meet your instructor right there and go through the process in an organized, step-by-step way. Palma Aquarium is an easy place to “do once and done” because the experience is built on-site: briefing, gear, underwater session, then a visit afterward.

This is a private group setup, which matters. You’re not squeezed into a crowded tour moment. It’s you, the instructor, and the schedule laid out clearly.

Language options are English, Spanish, and German, so you’re not stuck trying to guess underwater instructions.

The 40-minute safety briefing that sets the tone

Before you enter the water, you get a 40-minute safety briefing. This is the part I’m most grateful for, because sharks are intimidating in theory. In practice, what you need is procedure: how to move, how to breathe, how to respond if something feels off.

Your instructor explains the Big Blue tank and the key security measures. You’ll also get clear guidance on what you’re allowed to do during the session, and how deep you’ll go based on your status.

In real life, this kind of careful prep is what turns a fear-of-the-unknown activity into something you can actually enjoy. And it’s also why the experience gets high marks for feeling safe.

Big Blue tank: what you’re really swimming with

The main event happens in the Big Blue tank, billed as one of the deepest shark tanks in Europe. That depth and size change the feel. It’s not a small photo tank. It’s a real “you are inside the habitat” moment.

You’ll be guided among:

• 11 friendly large sharks
• rays
• hundreds of fish

The word “friendly” shows up for a reason. With the right instructor, the goal is not to act like you’re in a movie. The goal is calm, respectful proximity—seeing sharks close enough to register their size and motion, without panic.

One review stood out for how the experience felt safe, and another praised how close you can get while staying relaxed. If your favorite part of travel is watching animals behave naturally, this tank is built for that.

Depth rules: what changes with or without a scuba license

Depth is where many people need clarity, and this activity is very direct.

• If you have a scuba license, the session can go up to 8.5 meters.
• If you don’t have a license, the maximum depth is 4 meters.

Either way, 4 meters is not shallow. You’ll still feel the vertical change, breathing rhythm, and the tank’s scale. So even if you’re a first-timer, plan to take the instructions seriously.

This depth flexibility is a big value point. You’re not automatically blocked from the experience because of licensing, but the rules still keep it appropriate for your level.

Your 30 minutes underwater: pacing, gear, and what to watch

The tank session itself is 30 minutes. That timing is long enough to settle in and actually see the animals from up close, but short enough that you’re not exhausted while trying to learn.

You’ll have scuba equipment provided and an instructor with you during the session. That instructor presence is a big deal. In the best guides, you feel like they’re watching your body and your breathing, not just counting time.

Specific guidance you might appreciate:

• The instructor will brief you on security measures before you go in.
• You should expect a structured, controlled pace rather than a free-for-all.
• You can focus on what matters: watching sharks and rays move through the water column.

Photography tips come up, too. One person recommended bringing your phone because you may not get the exact shot you want with the setup provided. Another point: during the session, you may have family members or companions watching through the aquarium area—some reviews mention being able to film and photograph from viewing windows.

Tip: if photos matter to you, ask the instructor what’s allowed and what’s safest before you do anything with your phone.

The free aquarium visit: using your time after the session

After the tank session, you get 1.5 hours to visit the aquarium at your own pace.

Here’s why I like this part: it turns the experience from a single “event” into a full half-day. If you’re the type who gets home wishing you had stayed longer, this extra time helps.

And the booking includes entry to Palma Aquarium for you, plus free entry for a companion. So your extra person doesn’t have to sit around feeling like they paid just to watch.

There’s also a small practical bonus: you skip the ticket line, which saves time when you’re already on a tight schedule.

Price and value: is $247 per person worth it?

The price listed is $247 per group up to 1, for a total 1-day experience. The value isn’t just the underwater part, either.

What you’re getting includes:

• the instructor
• scuba equipment
• required insurance coverage language tied to the activity (and the option to buy accident coverage if you don’t already have it)
• aquarium admission benefits for you and a companion
• time-saving elements like skipping the ticket line

So ask yourself: do you want a guided, controlled shark experience in a deep tank, with professional support, and the option for your companion to join the aquarium afterward?

If yes, this is the kind of pricing that can make sense because it packages the hard-to-organize parts into one day. If you’re mainly after a tank photo moment and not the training-plus-guidance structure, you might find cheaper ways to see sharks around Palma Aquarium. But if your goal is the water itself, this format is built for that.

Weather, biology, and flight rules: the practical gotchas

This activity depends on weather and biological conditions. That means your schedule isn’t 100% guaranteed. If your trip is tight, keep some flexibility.

Also take the flight restriction seriously. The information provided includes:

• a rule that it cannot be done 12 hours before or after flying
• and another note that mentions 24 hours around flying

Because those windows don’t match perfectly, treat this as a “confirm the exact rule when booking” situation, especially if you’re flying in and out the same day.

Bottom line: plan your travel days with buffer time.

Who this shark tank scuba session is best for

This is ideal if you:

• want a guided, safety-first animal encounter
• like seeing large sharks and rays up close rather than watching from a distance
• want a structured experience that works for different experience levels

It also fits well for special moments. One review described it as a once-in-a-lifetime dream for a teen, and the organization and calm pace were specifically praised.

What about first-timers? If you can handle breathing equipment and follow instructions, the 4-meter maximum gives you a real introduction without pretending it’s effortless.

Who should skip it:

• It’s listed as not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

The little extras: instructors who make a difference

A good instructor can change everything, and the feedback here is consistent. You’ll see names pop up—Louis is praised for taking time and making it feel secure. Another instructor mentioned is Coco (Reina), called spectacular by one reviewer.

One more human detail: one person mentioned receiving a shark tooth as a keepsake. That doesn’t mean every session includes it, but it hints at a thoughtful, personal touch that goes beyond the checklist.

Should you book Palma Aquarium’s shark tank session?

Book it if you want:

• a professional, structured shark encounter in a deep, purpose-built tank
• an experience that still includes time to enjoy the wider aquarium afterward
• a setup that works whether you hold a scuba license or not

Think twice if:

• your schedule is tightly connected to flights (because the timing rules matter)
• you don’t want to handle paperwork requirements
• you have mobility needs that may not fit the activity’s limitations

If you can plan around those points, this is the kind of once-you’ve-done-it story you’ll remember for years: calm guidance, close animal contact, and a deep tank that makes the whole thing feel real.

FAQ

Do I need a scuba license to swim in the Big Blue tank?

No. If you have a license, you can go up to 8.5 meters. If you don’t have a license, the maximum depth is 4 meters.

What documents are required?

A diving medical certificate issued within the last 12 months is mandatory. You also need accident diving insurance to carry out the activity; if you don’t have it, you can purchase it when you arrive.

How close can I be to a flight and still do the activity?

The information says you can’t do it within 12 hours before or after a flight. Another note also mentions 24 hours. Check your exact timing window when you book.

What’s included in the price?

You get aquarium entry for yourself, free aquarium entry for a companion, scuba equipment, insurance for the activity, and an instructor.

What does the schedule look like?

You have a safety briefing of 40 minutes, a scuba session of 30 minutes, and then 1.5 hours to visit the aquarium on your own.

Is this activity always available?

Availability depends on weather and biological conditions, so it can change based on those factors.