Sharks, close enough to change your mood. In Palma de Mallorca, this Palma Aquarium experience lets you meet large sharks and rays inside the Big Blue tank, guided by a qualified instructor who keeps things calm and clear. I especially like how close you get to the animals, and I also like that the safety measures are explained upfront so you can relax and focus on the moment.

One thing to plan for, though: the requirements can be strict. You need a recent diving medical certificate and the schedule depends on conditions, plus you cannot do the session close to flying.

Quick hits

• Big Blue tank: one of the deepest shark tanks in Europe, built for a real underwater view
• 40 minutes of instruction: a proper safety briefing before you go in
• Shark and ray encounter: you will see 11 large sharks plus rays and hundreds of fish
• Depth rules that match your level: up to 8.5m with a diving license, up to 4m without
• Private group feel: instructor + equipment provided, English, Spanish, or German
• Free aquarium entry for a companion: you can keep exploring after your session

Palma Aquarium’s Big Blue tank: why the shark tank feels different

This isn’t a quick photo stop or a surface show. At Palma Aquarium, your underwater time is centered on the Big Blue tank, described as one of the deepest shark tanks in Europe. That depth matters. It changes how the water feels, and it helps the sharks look more like animals in a real environment than someone’s staged prop.

The atmosphere is also built for you. You have an instructor with you, and the experience is structured around a clear safety briefing. In short: you get the adrenaline of seeing large sharks up close, without guessing what comes next.

I also like the range of marine life you’re told to expect. The plan is not only 11 large sharks, but also rays plus hundreds of different fish. That mix makes the water time feel full, even if you spend most of it watching one shark glide past.

Your 1-day schedule at Palma Aquarium: briefing, underwater time, and free wandering

The whole plan is designed to move at a steady pace, not a chaotic queue.

First you start at Palma Aquarium. Then you get a 40-minute safety briefing focused on how the Big Blue tank session works. The instructor explains the tank and what security measures you must follow so you can go in with peace of mind.

Next comes the 30-minute scuba session in the Big Blue tank. This is the part people remember. The water time is long enough to settle in, but short enough that you are never left wondering how much longer you have.

After that, you get a 1.5-hour visit to the aquarium at your own pace. This is one of the smartest parts of the day. You can look around with a different mindset after you’ve already seen the tank up close. And since your booking includes free aquarium entry for a companion, someone can enjoy the rest of Palma Aquarium with you.

One more practical bonus: the experience notes skip the ticket line. That saves time in a place where lines can slow you down.

Licensed vs first-timer depth: up to 8.5m or 4m

The provider sets clear depth limits based on whether you have a diving license.

If you are licensed, you can go up to 8.5m. That gives you a bit more vertical room to experience the tank, and it fits the pace that trained divers usually expect.

If you are not licensed, you will go to 4m. Four meters is still genuinely underwater time. You feel the water pressure, the movement of the tank, and the size of the sharks. It’s not a shallow gimmick.

This matters for comfort. If you’re a nervous beginner, a lower depth limit can make everything feel manageable. If you are a confident diver, the licensed depth cap still keeps the experience controlled for this specific setup.

Safety rules that actually affect your trip

This is the section where you should pay attention, because it can affect whether you can participate smoothly.

Medical certificate and insurance are mandatory

You must present a diving medical certificate issued within the last 12 months. That’s not a maybe. It is required for the activity.

You also need accident diving insurance. If you do not have it, you can purchase it when you arrive. Either way, be ready with the right paperwork so you do not lose your planned time.

Flight timing restriction

There is a rule that the underwater session cannot be done close to flying. The instructions list the flight window as 12 hours in one place, and 24 hours in another. Before you book flights, confirm the exact rule with the provider to avoid surprises.

Weather and biology can change the schedule

Availability depends on weather and biological conditions. That means your day might shift if conditions aren’t right for the tank environment.

The instructor factor: what you should look for in how the session runs

The instructor is the difference between feeling like you are following steps and feeling like you are participating in a calm, guided experience.

From what’s been shared about past sessions, the best instructors do two key things well. They take time to explain what you will do, and they help you feel safe underwater. Names that have come up include Louis, who is praised for taking his time and making a diver feel secure, and Coco Reina, who has been recognized for being spectacular and attentive.

You’ll get security measures explained before you enter the tank. Then you go in with diving equipment and an instructor. That combination keeps the session focused, not experimental.

If you are watching from outside, do not worry. You do not need to be a trained diver to appreciate what is happening. The aquarium setup lets you stay engaged visually, and a companion with free entry can use that time well while you are in the water.

What you see in the Big Blue tank: sharks, rays, and constant movement

The encounter is built around 11 friendly large sharks, plus rays and hundreds of different fish. That number is important. It suggests you are not just waiting for one animal to swim by.

You should expect motion. Sharks do not hover for your schedule. But the tank environment means there are usually multiple passes, and the fish life gives the water a steady sense of activity.

Rays add a different kind of movement. They glide, change position, and make the underwater scene feel more balanced than a one-species encounter.

And yes, it can feel intense at first. Large sharks close to you trigger a strong reaction, even when you know you’re in a controlled setting. That’s why the briefing and instructor guidance matter so much.

Aquarium time after your session: turning your visit into a full day

The booking gives you more than just underwater time. After your scuba session, you get 1.5 hours to visit Palma Aquarium at your own pace.

This is a smart setup because it lets you do two things:

1) See how the aquarium’s design connects with what you experienced in the Big Blue tank.

2) Fill in the rest of the animals you might not notice while you were focused on the water time.

Since a companion gets free aquarium entry, this is also a good couple or family plan. Someone can watch, explore exhibits, and meet you back afterward.

Price and value: what $247 includes and why it can be worth it

The price is listed as $247 per group up to 1, for a 1-day experience. On its face, that’s not cheap. But it is easier to judge when you look at what is included.

You get:

• Instructor guidance
• Diving equipment
• Accident diving insurance for the activity (with the option to purchase if needed)
• Entry to Palma Aquarium for you
• Free entry for a companion

And you also get a real block of aquarium time after the session. For many people, the value comes from the combination: guided underwater time plus paid-entry benefits that would cost extra if you did them separately.

The private group format can also be a value point. Even when it’s just you and an instructor, the experience is built around your session, not around juggling a big crowd.

Photo and practical tips that can save you stress

One small tip can make a big difference. Bring a phone and plan how you will protect it. A piece of advice that came up is that the session may not provide underwater photos, so it helps to have your own option ready with a waterproof case. You can still focus on the moment, but you will not feel stuck when you want a memory.

Also, follow the instructor’s cues during the briefing. Your comfort will come from doing the basics right, not from improvising underwater.

If you want your companion to enjoy the day too, encourage them to use the free aquarium entry time wisely. They can see plenty above water, and then you can compare notes right after your session.

Who should book this, and who should reconsider

This experience is best for people who want a structured shark encounter with real safety guidance.

It can work well if you:

• Want to see sharks and rays up close without going to the ocean
• Prefer a guided format with equipment provided
• Like the idea of pairing underwater time with aquarium exploration afterward

It might not be ideal if you:

• Have mobility impairments, since the activity is listed as not suitable
• Cannot meet the medical certificate requirement or do not have the right insurance
• Are too close to a flight, given the restriction around flying

And if you are strictly only looking for the cheapest activity in Palma, this likely will not be the best fit. It is a specialized experience with a real instructor, equipment, and access included.

Should you book the Shark Tank Scuba Session at Palma Aquarium?

If your top goal is a guided shark encounter that feels close and meaningful, I think this is a strong choice. The Big Blue tank setup, the instructor-led briefing, and the clear depth limits are a good match for first-time underwater participants and also for licensed divers who want controlled conditions.

My advice is simple:

• Check that you can provide the required medical certificate.
• Make sure your accident diving insurance situation is handled.
• Plan your schedule around the flight timing rule, and confirm the exact window with the provider.

If you do those three things, you are set up for a day that mixes adrenaline with a genuinely calm, guided experience, plus a fun aquarium visit afterward.

FAQ

What is the duration of the experience?

The total duration is listed as 1 day. It includes a 40-minute safety briefing, a 30-minute scuba session, and a 1.5-hour aquarium visit.

Where does the activity start?

It starts at Palma Aquarium in Palma de Mallorca.

Is the experience a group tour or private?

It is a private group experience.

What depth can I reach if I have a diving license?

If you have a diving license, you can dive up to 8.5 meters.

What depth can I reach if I do not have a diving license?

If you do not have a diving license, you will dive up to 4 meters.

What languages are available for the instructor?

The instructor is available in English, Spanish, and German.

What documents are mandatory before I can participate?

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

Do I need diving accident insurance?

Yes, accident diving insurance is mandatory. If you do not have it, you can purchase it when you arrive.

Is there a flight time restriction?

Yes. The information provided says the dive cannot take place 12 hours before or after a flight, and another note says 24 hours before or after a flight, so it is best to confirm the exact timing with the provider.

Is a companion’s aquarium entry included?

Yes. Your booking includes free access for a companion to Palma Aquarium, and you also get entry for yourself.