Palma de Mallorca: Shark Dive at Palma Aquarium

Palma Aquarium’s Big Blue puts you face to face with 11 large sharks, along with rays and hundreds of fish, in one of Europe’s deepest shark tanks. You’ll get a 40-minute safety briefing, an instructor, and a 30-minute underwater session, with a choice of depth based on your certification.

I like two things here: the instructor-led preparation gives you time to ask questions before entering the tank, and the booking includes aquarium admission for you and a companion. That makes the visit more than a quick photo stop, especially if someone in your party would rather watch from outside the water.

The main catch is the paperwork and flight timing. You need a recent diving medical certificate and accident insurance, and the flight restriction is stated as both 12 and 24 hours in the activity details, so check the exact rule before booking.

• The Big Blue is the main event: Expect a 30-minute session with sharks, rays, and schools of fish.
• Your certification sets the depth: Licensed participants can descend to 8.5 meters; those without a license are limited to 4 meters.
• The briefing is substantial: Allow 40 minutes for the safety talk and preparation before the water session.
• A companion can come along: Aquarium admission is included for you and one other person, so your companion can watch and explore.
• Bring the right paperwork: A diving medical certificate issued within the last 12 months is mandatory, as is accident diving insurance.
• Check the flight rule directly: The stated restriction varies between 12 and 24 hours before or after flying.

Coming Face to Face With Sharks in the Big Blue

This is not an ocean excursion. You enter a large aquarium tank at Palma Aquarium, where the water is controlled and an instructor is with you. That setting makes the experience appealing if you want a close encounter with sharks but do not want to go offshore.

The Big Blue is described as one of Europe’s deepest shark tanks. Its inhabitants include 11 large sharks, rays, and hundreds of fish. The sharks are presented as friendly, but you are still entering their habitat under staff guidance, not taking part in an unstructured swim.

The close distance is part of the appeal. You may see the animals pass nearby, an encounter that is hard to match from the public viewing area. Just keep expectations grounded: this is a 30-minute session in an aquarium, not a long open-water trip or a wildlife expedition.

The experience is private, with the price listed at $247 for a group of up to one. In practical terms, that is a substantial cost for a solo participant, but the fee covers an instructor, equipment, the underwater session, and aquarium entry for you and a companion. If the shark encounter is a special occasion or a long-held goal, those inclusions may make the price easier to justify.

The 40-Minute Briefing Sets the Tone

Plan for more than the time spent in the tank. The activity begins at Palma Aquarium with a safety briefing and preparation session lasting about 40 minutes. Your instructor explains the Big Blue and the safety measures, then helps you get ready for the water.

That preparation matters. The most frequently praised part of the experience is the instructor’s patient, clear support. People who have taken part describe being given time to understand the process, ask questions, and feel at ease before entering the tank. Guides named in past experiences include Louis and Coco, also called Reina, but you should not assume that either will lead your session.

You do not need to arrive expecting a rushed handover. The briefing is a meaningful portion of the visit, and it gives you a chance to bring up concerns before you are in the water. If you are nervous, tell the instructor. The activity is designed to be guided, but your comfort and understanding still matter.

You must present a diving medical certificate issued within the previous 12 months. The information also makes accident diving insurance mandatory. While the package details list diving insurance as included, they also say you can purchase the required insurance on arrival if you do not have it. That wording leaves an important question: does the included policy meet the personal accident insurance requirement? Confirm this with Palma Aquarium before your visit, rather than discovering a gap at check-in.

Choosing Your Depth: 4 or 8.5 Meters

Your maximum depth depends on whether you hold a diving license. With a license, you can go down to 8.5 meters. Without one, the limit is 4 meters, which still puts you in the tank among the animals, but gives you a shallower version of the experience.

That distinction is worth considering when you book. If you are certified and want the fuller descent, bring whatever proof of qualification the aquarium requires and confirm it in advance. If you are not certified, do not think of the 4-meter limit as a lesser visit by default: it is still a chance to be in the water with the sharks, rays, and fish under an instructor’s supervision.

The activity details do not spell out additional qualification requirements or explain exactly how the instructor handles participants with different levels of experience. Ask the aquarium if you have questions about your certification, comfort in the water, or what the session involves. No amount of online description can replace a clear answer from the person responsible for your safety.

Thirty Minutes in the Tank, Then Time to Look Around

The actual scuba session lasts about 30 minutes. That is long enough to watch the tank life move around you, but short enough that the experience stays focused. You are not booking a full-day water activity, despite the overall duration being described as one day.

Afterward, you can visit Palma Aquarium at your own pace. Admission is included for the participant and one companion, and the stated visit time is about an hour and a half. That is useful for making a fuller outing of the booking: your companion can explore while you recover from the session, or you can walk through together once you are finished.

The companion ticket is a genuine value point if someone is travelling with you but does not want to enter the tank. They can still see the aquarium and watch from outside the glass. One family reported being able to see and film the session through the viewing panels, though you should check the aquarium’s current photography rules rather than assume filming is always allowed.

Bring your phone only if the staff permit it in the water and you can use it safely. One participant wished they had taken a phone in, since there was no guaranteed photo from the staff. Another was fortunate to have staff take a picture while children were present nearby. The practical lesson is simple: do not count on an official photo, and ask about camera rules before gearing up.

The Flight Rule and Other Details to Settle Before You Go

There is a conflict in the activity information about flying. One part says the session cannot take place within 24 hours before or after a flight; another gives a 12-hour window. Since the details also warn that you may receive no refund if you fail to meet the requirements, contact the aquarium and get the correct interval in writing. Until you have a clear answer, allow 24 hours on either side of your flight.

Availability can also depend on weather and biological conditions. That is a reminder that even an indoor aquarium activity may be affected by conditions that influence whether the animals or staff can safely take part. Check the arrangements before setting aside your only available day.

The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. If you have a mobility concern that is not covered by that description, ask the aquarium directly about access to the briefing, changing area, and tank. The information provided does not give detailed access arrangements.

The experience is offered with instruction in English, Spanish, and German. Check that your preferred language is available for your time slot. You can cancel up to three days in advance for a full refund, which gives you some room to reconsider, but it does not override the medical, insurance, and flight requirements.

Who Will Get the Most From This Experience?

This is a strong fit if you are already comfortable with scuba equipment or have wanted a carefully supervised first underwater encounter. The instructor’s guidance is a central part of the format, and the restricted depth for non-certified participants makes the basic option possible without a license. Still, ask the provider what preparation they expect from you, especially if you have never used scuba gear.

It also works well as a gift. A 17-year-old’s long-held wish to be in the water with sharks was fulfilled during one visit, and the family could watch from behind the glass. That example gives you a useful picture of the outing: one person takes part, while a companion can share the occasion without getting wet.

I would think twice if you are mainly looking for a long, low-cost aquarium visit. The $247 price is high for a 30-minute underwater session, even with equipment, instruction, and two aquarium entries included. It is better understood as a special activity than as a bargain way to see Palma Aquarium.

Should You Book the Big Blue Session?

Book it if meeting sharks at close range is a personal goal, you are comfortable with the medical and insurance requirements, and the price fits your budget. The combination of a guided tank session and aquarium access for a companion makes it a more complete outing than the underwater time alone suggests.

Before paying, settle three things with Palma Aquarium: whether your insurance meets the requirement, which flight interval applies, and what proof of certification you need for the 8.5-meter depth. If those answers work for you, this is a memorable, tightly supervised way to meet sharks without heading out to sea. If you want a longer session, a natural marine setting, or a more modest spend, the aquarium visit on its own may be the better choice.

FAQ

How long does the activity take?

The overall duration is listed as one day. The scheduled parts include a 40-minute safety briefing, a 30-minute scuba session, and about 1.5 hours to visit the aquarium.

How deep can I go in the Big Blue?

With a diving license, the maximum depth is 8.5 meters. Without a license, the limit is 4 meters.

What animals are in the tank?

The Big Blue is home to 11 large sharks, rays, and hundreds of different fish.

Is aquarium admission included for a companion?

Yes. Entry is included for the participant and one companion.

What documents and insurance do I need?

You must present a diving medical certificate issued within the last 12 months and have accident diving insurance. The activity details also list insurance as included, so confirm with the aquarium whether that coverage meets the requirement.

How long before or after a flight can I take part?

The activity information gives both 12 hours and 24 hours as the flight restriction. Contact Palma Aquarium to confirm the rule before booking or attending.