Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo: 48m Tunnel & Animal Encounters

The 48-Meter Tunnel Changes How You See Sharks

You walk through a 48-meter underwater tunnel surrounded by sharks and rays, explore three distinct marine zones, and join animal feeding sessions and behind-the-scenes tours. Entry and all fees are included, and the entire experience happens inside Dubai Mall with full wheelchair access and no time pressure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo

• Enter Dubai Mall's Underwater Zoo
• Explore Rainforest, Rocky Shore, Living Ocean zones
• Walk through 48-meter aquarium tunnel
• View sharks, rays, and colorful fish
• Interact with King Croc and otters
• Join animal encounters and feeding sessions
• Take behind-the-scenes tour

The experience

The tunnel hits different when you're standing inside it. Sharks glide past at eye level, rays drift overhead, and the water wraps around you in a way that photographs don't capture. The 270-degree views mean there's no safe corner to hide in. You're surrounded, and that's the whole point. The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo spreads across three zones, each one designed to pull you deeper into a different world: Rainforest first, then Rocky Shore, then the Living Ocean where the tunnel sits. You move through at your own pace, so if you want to stand there for five minutes watching a particular shark circle, nobody's rushing you.

What surprised me was how much happens beyond the tunnel. The King Croc, an actual giant crocodile, sits in its own exhibit, and the otters move so fast you have to watch twice to believe what you saw. But the real draw for most people is the animal encounters and feeding sessions. You don't just watch. You participate. The behind-the-scenes tours let you see how the place operates, which changes the whole experience from "I came to look at fish" to "I understand why these animals are here and how they're cared for." It's educational without feeling like a school trip, which matters when you're spending the day in Dubai Mall and could be doing a hundred other things.

The setup is straightforward: entry fee covers everything. Admission, access to all three zones, the tunnel, the exhibits, and the interactive parts. You're in a mall, so there's no weather to worry about, no transport to arrange. Wheelchair accessible throughout, and strollers work fine if you're bringing small children. Most people spend two to three hours here, though you can move faster or slower depending on how deep you want to go with each zone. The otters alone can hold your attention longer than you'd expect.

What’s included

Your visit includes admission to all three zones (Rainforest, Rocky Shore, and Living Ocean), access to the 48-meter underwater tunnel with 270-degree aquarium views, interactive exhibits including the King Croc and otter displays, animal encounters, feeding sessions, and behind-the-scenes tours. All fees and taxes are included in the ticket price.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 85 years) · Child (2 to 17 years)

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancy

Is this one for you?This works best if you want a self-paced marine experience without arranging transport or timing: being inside Dubai Mall means you control how long you stay in each zone, and the tunnel and animal encounters keep both adults and children engaged for a full afternoon.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 17 years).

How long does a visit to Dubai Aquarium typically take?

Most visitors spend 2–3 hours exploring all three zones, the tunnel, and interactive exhibits, though you can move faster or slower depending on your pace.

Is the 48-meter tunnel the main attraction?

It's the centerpiece (the tunnel offers 270-degree views of sharks, rays, and fish), but the King Croc exhibit, otters, animal encounters, and feeding sessions are equally popular.

What's included in the ticket price?

Admission covers access to all zones, the tunnel, interactive exhibits, and participation in animal encounters and feeding sessions. All fees and taxes are included.

Is there parking or public transport nearby?

The aquarium is inside Dubai Mall, which has extensive parking. Public transportation options are available nearby, and transport within the mall is wheelchair accessible.

Can I do a behind-the-scenes tour?

Yes, behind-the-scenes tours are available as part of the experience, though specific times and availability may vary.

Is this suitable for pregnant travelers?

The experience is not recommended for pregnant travelers.