Sharks come close in Palma’s Big Blue tank. In Palma Aquarium, you get a 40-minute safety briefing and then a guided underwater session in the 11-shark Big Blue tank, with rays and hundreds of fish around you. On top of the calm coaching, the experience also feels personal, since guides like Louis are known for taking their time.

I like that it runs as a private group, so you can ask questions without competing for attention. I also like that your booking includes free entry for a companion to the aquarium, so you are not rushing off right after the water time.

One thing to consider is the admin and timing. You must bring a medical certificate issued within the last 12 months and have the right accident insurance for the activity, and the scuba session cannot be scheduled 12 hours before or after a flight.

Key highlights worth planning around

• Big Blue tank scale: one of Europe’s deepest shark tanks, built for a close, roomy feeling underwater
• A real instructor-led experience: safety briefing first, then equipment and guidance during your underwater time
• Depth limits by experience level: up to 8.5 m with a license, or up to 4 m without
• Short, focused water time: about 30 minutes underwater, followed by a calmer aquarium visit
• Free companion entry: you and one companion can explore Palma Aquarium afterward
• Great at keeping it comfortable: multiple guides are praised for patience and making people feel secure

Palma Aquarium Big Blue tank, and why it feels special

Palma Aquarium is one of those places where the building does real work for your experience. The star is the Big Blue tank, known for being among the deepest shark tanks in Europe, and that depth changes the vibe in a good way. You do not just see sharks, you get a sense of space, movement, and scale as they glide through the water column.

What makes this setting practical is that it is built for people who want a controlled, guided experience. You are not guessing how close is too close, or how to behave around animals. The instructor sets the safety rhythm, and the tank gives you an easy way to watch everything happen from the same consistent spot.

If you are coming for sharks, this is one of the few ways to get that face-to-face moment without needing a full ocean logistics day. And if you are coming with someone who just wants to watch, the aquarium layout lets parents and companions follow along through the windows and even film and photograph while you are in the water.

Your 1-day flow, with realistic timing

This is a short, well-structured day. Plan on being at Palma Aquarium and then following a clear sequence.

First, you start at Palma Aquarium and meet your instructor. You then get a safety briefing that lasts about 40 minutes. This is not just rules on paper. It sets expectations for how the tank session works, how you will be equipped, and what security measures you need to follow.

Next comes the underwater portion, at about 30 minutes. If you have a diving license, you can go to a maximum depth of 8.5 m. If you do not have a license, you still go down to 4 m, which is plenty deep to feel like you are really underwater, not just getting your feet wet.

Finally, you get about 1.5 hours to visit the aquarium after the session. This is a smart setup. The water time is short and focused, and then you can slow down, look at exhibits at your pace, and enjoy the aquarium without feeling like you are burning the whole day just to do the main event.

The instructor and safety briefing: where the comfort comes from

A lot of the value here is upstream, before you ever hit the water. Instructors start with a structured explanation about the Big Blue tank and the safety measures so you can feel at ease.

What I would watch for before you go is how the instructor handles questions and prep. Multiple experiences highlight the same theme: guides are praised for being patient, thorough, and calm. One guide named Louis is specifically mentioned for making people feel secure, and another instructor, Coco (Reina), is also noted for being impressive.

That matters because shark encounters can sound scary on paper, even when the animals are described as friendly. The instructor’s job is to translate that from fear into procedure: how to breathe, how to stay positioned, and what to do if you feel unsure.

Also, you will want to listen closely during the briefing about what you can and cannot do in the water. That is where peace of mind comes from, not from hoping for the best once you are inside the tank.

Licensed up to 8.5 m, non-licensed up to 4 m

This part is where expectations should be set early. Your maximum depth depends on whether you have a diving license.

• With a diving license: up to 8.5 m
• Without a license: up to 4 m

Even 4 m is not trivial. It is deep enough for the water to feel like a true scuba environment and for you to experience the sensation of being underwater for real. The practical upside is that you can do this even if you are not ready for a full certification.

The drawback is that you should choose based on what you want from the experience. If your main goal is going as deep as possible, the license matters. If your main goal is meeting sharks in a controlled way, the non-licensed option can still deliver that close, awe-driven moment.

Equipment, insurance, and the medical certificate you must bring

This experience has clear safety requirements, and you should treat them as part of the experience, not as annoying paperwork.

You are required to have a medical certificate issued within the last 12 months. You must also have accident insurance for the activity. If you do not have it, the information says you can purchase it when you arrive.

This is where I think people either feel smooth and ready, or they get stressed. If you are traveling, do your homework before the day. Make sure your certificate is current. Bring documentation so you are not scrambling on site.

There is also an important scheduling rule around flights. The scuba session cannot be done 12 hours before or after flying. That means you should not plan a late departure on the same day unless you know the timing works with the cutoff.

If you have mobility challenges, note that the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. If that applies, it is better to choose a different aquarium experience rather than assume it will be manageable.

Photo and video tips that actually help

You can watch and record during the experience. One account highlights that parents could observe through the windows, and that they could photograph and film everything from outside the tank while their loved one was in.

If you care about getting your own underwater shots, plan smart. One piece of advice stands out: bring your phone with you in a way that is safe and waterproof if you want underwater photos, since you may not get personal photo coverage from staff.

The practical takeaway is this: decide what matters more to you. If you want cinematic results, consider having your companion handle outside filming through the glass. If you want personal souvenirs, bring the right waterproof setup for your phone so you can capture what you see.

Free companion entry, and how to make your aquarium time count

After the underwater session, you get about 1.5 hours to visit the aquarium. The big win is that your booking includes aquarium entry for you and free entry for a companion, so you are not paying extra just to hang around.

This is a good moment to do the slower, curious stuff. Since your water time is short, the aquarium visit becomes where you connect the dots: what you saw above the tank, what you see in the exhibits, and how the animals are kept.

To use the time well, arrive knowing you only have 1.5 hours. Pick a few zones you care about most and ignore the rest. This keeps you from doing the tired, sprint-like “see everything” route.

Weather, biology, and how flexible you should stay

This is an experience where conditions matter. Availability is subject to weather and biological conditions. That means the day might not be identical to what you imagined when you booked.

The good news is that the overall structure is still the same: briefing, underwater session, then aquarium time. But you should keep your day schedule flexible and avoid tight connections if you are traveling from another island or country.

Also, you might see starting times vary. The activity is listed as 1 day, with availability depending on the start time offered that day. So if you are scheduling around other plans in Palma de Mallorca, check your time options early.

Price value for a private group (up to 1) plus aquarium entry

The price is listed as $247 per group up to 1, and that is where you should judge value carefully.

Here is what you are getting for that money:

• Instructor-led safety briefing and guidance
• Diving equipment
• Accident insurance for the activity (and the option to buy on site if you do not have it)
• Entry to Palma Aquarium for the participant
• Free aquarium entry for a companion
• Skip the ticket line

So even if the group size is small or you are essentially going as a solo participant, the package still covers the hard parts: equipment and a qualified instructor. Then it adds a second benefit, the aquarium visit with companion entry, so you get more than one experience out of the same day.

For couples or families where one person is doing the underwater session, this can be especially good value because the companion can enjoy the aquarium afterward without buying another entry ticket.

Who this is best for, and who should think twice

This experience is a strong fit if you want a structured, security-first encounter with sharks and you like clear instructions. It also suits people who want a taste of scuba activity without committing to a longer, open-water trip.

You should think twice if you:

• Cannot provide the required medical certificate
• Do not have the right accident insurance for the activity
• Have mobility impairments, since it is noted as not suitable
• Have a flight that conflicts with the 12-hour rule

If you are comfortable following safety steps and you can handle the idea of being in a tank environment with guided procedures, it can be a memorable one-day experience.

Should you book this Palma Aquarium shark scuba session?

Book it if you want a shark encounter that is structured, instructor-led, and built around a tank environment designed for close viewing. The Big Blue setup, the 40-minute safety briefing, and the calm guidance are the combo that makes people feel secure, and the free companion entry adds real value beyond the water time.

Skip it if the timing rules around flights do not fit your travel plan, or if you cannot meet the medical and insurance requirements. Also, if you need accessibility support for mobility, this one is not listed as suitable.

If you do decide to go, plan your day around being punctual at Palma Aquarium, bring your documents, and consider adding a waterproof phone case so you can capture your own memories in the way that feels right to you.

FAQ

How long is the safety briefing and the underwater session?

You should plan for a 40-minute safety briefing and then about a 30-minute underwater scuba session.

How deep can I go with or without a diving license?

If you have a diving license, you can go up to 8.5 m. Without a license, you go up to 4 m.

What documents are required before the activity?

You must present a diving medical certificate issued within the last 12 months. You also need accident insurance for the activity.

What if I do not have accident diving insurance?

Accident diving insurance is required. If you do not have it, you can purchase it when you arrive.

Can I do this if I have a flight soon?

No. The scuba session cannot be scheduled 12 hours before or after flying.

Is a companion allowed to enter Palma Aquarium for free?

Yes. The experience includes free aquarium entry for a companion, so two people can enter for the aquarium.

Is the activity suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. It is listed as not suitable for people with mobility impairments.