You might think that diving with sharks anywhere other than along coastal reefs or in popular open water sites is an impossibility; however, you can now dive with these magnificent sharp-toothed creatures smack in the middle of America's heartland, in Minnesota. The Mall of America, famous for its many attractions and shopping opportunities is also the site of the Sea Life Aquarium, where you can don mask and fins, and dive with massive sharks.
The Mall of America Sea Life Aquarium Shark Dive Requirements
In order to enjoy the Minnesota shark dive, you're going to need to bring some equipment of your own, including:
- BCD
- Regulator
- Mask, Fins, and Snorkel
- Wetsuit (5-7mm full length)
- Hood and Gloves (optional, but recommended)
In addition, you'll need to bring your c-card. All shark divers need to be 16 years old or older. Participants aged 16 to 17 years old need parental permission; parents are required to sign a release form for kids who want to make this dive.
Weights and weight belts are included, and so is an air tank. The temperature inside the shark tank is 74 degrees.
The Shark Dive At The Mall Of America Sea Life Aquarium
Discovery's Travel Channel has named Sea Life Minnesota the "World's Best Shark Encounter" for a reason, and when you visit this magnificent aquarium, you'll understand why. Called the "Best Shark Exhibit on the Planet" by Animal Planet, this display features a 300 foot glass underground tunnel, called Atlantis. Here, there are lots of other sea creatures sharing space with the sharks, including rays and green sea turtles, plus plenty of tropical fish.
You'll be diving with Sand Tiger Sharks, which can be up to nine feet long, and which look absolutely ferocious; while they are in fact voracious predators, they tend to feed at night and at scheduled feeding times. Lest you fear for your own life while enjoying a dive here, you should know that Sand Tiger Sharks eat only small fish, squid, and crustaceans; tank visitors are definitely not on the menu. As you dive, watch for the sharks surfacing for gulps of air, which they swallow. The air bubbles they keep in their stomachs help them to maintain neutral buoyancy and float motionless in the water to avoid being spotted by their prey.
You can keep any shark teeth you find, and you'll get a souvenir T-shirt after you complete the dive. In addition, admission to the Minnesota shark dive comes with a behind the scenes Sea Life Aquarium tour, plus you get snacks and refreshments.
Divers can choose to dive with the sharks only, or take a dive in the Sturgeon Lake exhibit, too. Advance reservations are required, and while most tours are held at scheduled times, special tours can be arranged for groups of ten or more divers. Non-divers in the group may qualify for reduced admission to the aquarium, and they can hang out in the tunnel and wait for you to pass - be sure to wave!
Additional attractions at Sea Life Aquarium include anemone and clownfish, a special jellyfish exhibit, and lots of tropical fish at the Rainbow Reef Exhibit - you can snorkel with them, if you want. A great place to spend a fun day or take a break from shopping, the aquarium offers lots of special programs for kids, including birthday parties and overnight adventures. Be sure to book in advance since this dive is in demand!