Sharks are close enough to change your breathing. This Palma Aquarium experience puts you in the Big Blue tank with 11 large sharks, plus rays and lots of fish, guided by an instructor who lays out the rules up front so you can focus on the moment.

I love that the setup feels controlled and instructional, not chaotic, and you also get time to explore the aquarium afterward with included entry.

One thing to plan for: you’ll need the right paperwork and timing. In particular, a scuba medical certificate (issued within the last 12 months) and the flight rule around the experience can be a deal-breaker if your schedule is tight.

Key things I’d circle before you go

• Big Blue tank time: a main-attraction tank designed for serious shark viewing in a controlled setting
• 11 large sharks plus rays: the in-water experience is built around seeing big animals up close
• Two depth levels: up to 8.5 m with a license, or up to 4 m without one
• English/Spanish/German instruction: you get an instructor who covers security measures before you go in
• Your companion gets in free: after your in-water time, you can do the aquarium visit at your own pace

Palma Aquarium’s Big Blue Tank: what makes it feel real

Palma Aquarium is not a far-flung day trip fantasy. It’s right there in Palma de Mallorca, set up to give you a tight, guided experience without the ocean logistics that can eat up your day.

The star is the Big Blue tank, described as one of the deepest shark tanks in Europe. That matters because it changes the feel of the experience. You’re not just looking at sharks through glass from a walkway; you’re in their world, with the tank volume doing the work for you. Add in 11 friendly large sharks, plus rays and hundreds of fish, and you get that sense of scale that’s hard to fake.

I also like that the experience is structured around a qualified instructor. The point isn’t bravado. The point is safety, clear communication, and letting you enjoy watching sharks move calmly—right near you.

Safety briefing first, then your in-water time

Your day starts at Palma Aquarium, where the instructor runs a safety briefing for about 40 minutes. This is the part many people rush past in their heads, but it’s actually where the trip earns trust. You’ll learn how the tank works, what the security measures are, and what to expect physically and visually during your water time.

They also explain the depth you can reach depending on your background:

• If you have a diving license, you can go up to 8.5 m
• If you do not have a license, you’ll go to a max of 4 m

For most first-timers, that upper limit is reassuring. Four meters is still plenty deep enough to feel like scuba, but it’s a level where control and comfort matter most. If you are licensed, 8.5 m can be a real treat, because you’ll feel the depth changes in pressure and buoyancy more clearly.

You should also know the experience has limits tied to conditions. It can be subject to weather and biological conditions, so if you’re visiting in a tight window, keep at least a little flexibility in your day.

What you’re really doing underwater (and how long it lasts)

Once the briefing is done, your actual scuba session is about 30 minutes in the water. That timing is short on paper, but it’s often right for this kind of “big animal, big adrenaline” moment. If you’ve ever been cold in a tank setup, you know long sessions can turn into survival mode fast. Thirty minutes keeps it focused.

You’ll be equipped with scuba gear provided for the activity, and you’ll go in with an instructor. The experience is set up so you can spend your mental energy watching sharks and rays, not fiddling with equipment.

In one review, I loved the practical detail that parents could watch and even film and photograph through the aquarium windows during the session. Even if you can’t be fully hands-on with a camera yourself, the venue design helps everyone on the outside still feel involved.

Tip: because rules around phones and cameras aren’t spelled out in the info I have here, I suggest you ask the instructor what’s allowed before you bring anything into the water. One review did recommend having a phone for photos since the staff may not make pictures, but permissions can vary.

The instructor experience: patient coaching matters

This is where the reviews clearly shine, and it’s also where your outcome depends most.

The instructors are described as taking plenty of time, explaining slowly, and making people feel secure. In particular, guides named Louis and Coco (Reina) were mentioned for being calm, attentive, and careful with safety.

If you’re nervous, don’t treat that like a personal flaw. Scuba with sharks can feel intense even when the animals are described as friendly. A good instructor shortens the distance between your anxiety and your competence.

I’d also pay attention to this part: the briefing includes security measures, not just a checklist. That’s the difference between someone who says follow me and someone who actually coaches you through what will happen when you’re staring at a big animal so close it changes your sense of scale.

After the session: use your included aquarium time wisely

One of the best value parts here is the follow-on aquarium visit. Booking includes entry to Palma Aquarium for you, plus free entry for a companion. So after your in-water time, you can explore at your own pace with no extra ticket hassle.

The schedule includes about 1.5 hours for visiting the aquarium. That’s enough time to keep it fun without turning it into a full-day crawl. And it’s also a smart way to smooth out the emotional arc of the experience: you go from “sharks are right there” to “now I can calmly look at how the aquarium connects habitats and species.”

Practical payoff: if you’re traveling with someone who doesn’t want to do the scuba portion, they still get a real aquarium outing instead of waiting around with nothing to do. Reviews also suggest parents and companions often watched through the glass during the session, which makes the whole day feel shared.

Price and value: what you’re paying for (and why it’s not just the tank)

The price listed is $247 per group up to 1 for a 1-day experience. While that number can look steep if you’re comparing it to a regular aquarium ticket, it’s best understood as a package price.

You’re paying for:

• Instructor-led coaching and supervision
• Diving equipment
• Insurance coverage included for the activity
• Access to the aquarium for you, and free entry for a companion

That’s a lot bundled together. If you were to assemble those pieces yourself, you’d likely spend time (and money) tracking down gear, instruction, and insurance rules.

There are also two important “value vs. hassle” factors:

1) The paperwork. You must have an appropriate medical certificate issued within the last 12 months, and you need accident scuba insurance to participate (with the option to purchase when you arrive if you don’t already have it).

2) The flight timing rule. The experience cannot be done within 12 hours before or after flying. If you fly in and out the same day, you’ll want to plan around that.

So I see this as a good value if you’re ready for a guided, safety-focused shark experience and you can fit the admin into your trip. If your schedule is chaotic or your documents aren’t ready, the “deal” can turn into frustration.

Who this is a great fit for

This experience makes sense if you want:

• An up-close shark experience without the unpredictability of open-water conditions
• Clear instruction with a defined depth limit based on your license status
• A meaningful aquarium visit afterward, not just the in-water part

It’s also a strong choice for couples and families where one person wants the water time and the other wants something worthwhile to do on-site. The free companion admission helps a lot.

If you’re already comfortable with scuba and buoyancy, you’ll probably enjoy the chance to hit up to 8.5 m. If you’re new to scuba, the 4 m limit gives you a taste of it without going too far out of comfort.

One more reality check: this activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, so it’s best to consider that early rather than hoping you’ll adapt on the day.

When timing and conditions matter (and when to be flexible)

Because the in-water portion depends on weather and biological conditions, build in a little patience. Aquarium-based scuba can be influenced by factors you can’t control.

Also, remember the flight rule: the dive cannot be done 12 hours before or after flying. That doesn’t just mean you can’t fly immediately after. It means you need to plan your travel days around the experience and avoid last-minute flights.

If your trip is tight, check your availability windows ahead of time. The day is listed as 1 day, with starting times depending on availability.

What to expect on the day, step by step

Here’s how the flow typically feels in practice:

1) Arrival at Palma Aquarium

You show up at the aquarium and meet your instructor. There’s no sense of wandering for an hour first. The day is built around the briefing and the in-water session.

2) Safety briefing (about 40 minutes)

This is where you learn tank-specific safety measures and how the session will run. You’ll also get the clear depth info based on whether you’re licensed.

3) Scuba session in the Big Blue tank (about 30 minutes)

Gear is provided. You follow the instructor and focus on the animals—large sharks, rays, and lots of fish in a very visible tank environment.

4) Aquarium visit (about 1.5 hours)

After you’re done, you get to roam through the aquarium at your own pace, with included entry for your companion too.

Should you book the Palma Aquarium shark scuba session?

If you want a high-emotion, big-animal experience with strong structure, I think it’s a solid yes. The main reasons are simple: the Big Blue tank is made for serious shark viewing, you get qualified instruction, and you also receive free aquarium entry for a companion so the day has value even if you’re with someone who’s not doing the water time.

I’d think twice if you:

• Don’t have the required medical certificate ready (issued within the last 12 months)
• Are unsure about accident scuba insurance coverage
• Need to fly on the same day and can’t meet the 12-hour rule
• Have mobility limitations that could make the activity unsuitable

If you can handle the admin and you’re excited by the idea of calm, guided contact with sharks in a tank, book it and plan your day around the safety rules. This is the kind of experience that turns into a story you keep telling long after the photos fade.

FAQ

What depth can I reach if I’m not licensed?

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

How deep can I go with a diving license?

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

Do I need a medical certificate?

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

Is accident diving insurance required?

Yes. You need your own accident diving insurance to carry out the activity. If you do not have it, you can purchase it when you arrive.

Can this activity be done close to a flight?

No. The dive cannot be done 12 hours before or after flying.

What’s included in the price?

The included items are entry to Palma Aquarium for the participant, free entry for a companion, diving equipment, diving insurance to do the activity, and an instructor.

How long does the briefing and scuba session take?

The safety briefing is about 40 minutes, and the scuba session itself is about 30 minutes.

Is the experience always available?

Availability can depend on weather and biological conditions, so it may not take place in every situation.