The Shark Lab
The Shark Lab
3
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Shark Lab is an intimate aquarium that offers an opportunity to swim with two female smooth hound sharks. The aquarium houses a range of exotic tropical coral fish from around the globe and select shark species.
Duration: < 1 hour
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.0
118 reviews
Excellent
35
Very good
19
Average
24
Poor
16
Terrible
24
Berdine J
32 contributions
Dec 2021 • Family
My son was very excited to visit the ‘Aquarium’. Unfortunately that what we found was not worth the visit. We paid R90 for entrance fee and additional R60 toward so called research (donation). The Aquarium is nothing by a few tanks filled with fish. It is really not worth any amount of money spent.
Written December 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Iza-bit-Disapointed
uk12 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
Well if you have a spare 10 minutes and 40 ZAR per person go for it. It will only take you 10 minutes to walk round, very few fish, a single shark kept in a small tank, that if you want to push the boat out you can climb down a ladder with the poor creature at a price. At least our entry fee might go a little way towards feeding and tank filtration. Very disappointed.
Written January 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Juanita K
Pretoria, South Africa20 contributions
Dec 2020 • Family
Why advertise that you have the friendliest octopus? That is why we visited your "aquarium". But as soon as someone comes close the lady tells Ursula to go under the rock! I understand people can't touch her but wow, we also can't look at her? The rest of the place is even more disappointing with a few lonely fish and 2 sad sharks in a small tank. I am glad we didn't pay more. Not worth the visit. Could have been a real gem
Written December 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dezzz.
1 contribution
Jan 2020 • Family
I personally think it was the best experience in Mossel Bay. It's small, but totally worth the money. Swimming with the sharks changed my life and helped me step out of my comfort zone, gave me so much more confidence. The octopus is also very friendly which helped to cheer up my day! I'd love to go back and would highly recommend going there! xx
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review Desirejvv, it is much appreciated.
Written January 5, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Murry1973
1 contribution
Jan 2020 • Family
Smile, we have had the most amazing experience diving with 2, two meter Smooth Hound Sharks,was a tick off my bucket list,
Love their names, Bonny and Bean, the staff was very hands on and pleasant, the octopus Paddy gave us a beautiful display playing in the open undersea tank, the clown fish are beautiful and we can see a lot of love goes into looking after each fish and sea life in this mini aquarium. When we visit again i am definitely making this a yearly stop.
Kind regards
Riemer Family
Love their names, Bonny and Bean, the staff was very hands on and pleasant, the octopus Paddy gave us a beautiful display playing in the open undersea tank, the clown fish are beautiful and we can see a lot of love goes into looking after each fish and sea life in this mini aquarium. When we visit again i am definitely making this a yearly stop.
Kind regards
Riemer Family
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks for your review Murry1973, very much appreciated. Look forward to seeing you again in 2021.
Written January 5, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Paul W
South Woodhan Ferrers3 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
We were in Mossel Bay last week and decided to go to the Shark Lab to see for ourselves what it was like. We had seen several poor reviews but thought we would make our own minds up. Yes it's small, but very informative, the staff are lovely and are happy to spend time with you explaining their objectives and coaxing Max (the octopus) out to feed. The admission price is only 20 Rand. Please make a visit with an open mind as we did, you will be delighted with what you find.
Written February 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks for the review Paul W. Much appreciated. I am very pleased that you enjoyed your visit.
Written March 1, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ZandradT
Hazyview, South Africa4 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
Tavelling to the area we were looking at all the option on the internet to do in Mossel bay and Shark Lab caught my eye from the great website.
How dissapointing to get to this building which is in bad shape and worst of all.....EVERYTHING IS CLOSED. The door is even closed off with wooden planks.
The sign is still outside and I really think that if you close a business, take down the sign and delete your website.
This is in the school holidays and I saw 3 school groups that were also disappointed.
How dissapointing to get to this building which is in bad shape and worst of all.....EVERYTHING IS CLOSED. The door is even closed off with wooden planks.
The sign is still outside and I really think that if you close a business, take down the sign and delete your website.
This is in the school holidays and I saw 3 school groups that were also disappointed.
Written July 4, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael S
Johannesburg, South Africa216 contributions
Dec 2013
Lets understand this isn't Sea World or an International Aquarium, it's a small research facility that opens it's doors and needs support. Take 30 minutes on a cloudy day, take the kids and support this initiative.
It's small, it's informative and as long you are not expecting too much it is time and money well spent
It's small, it's informative and as long you are not expecting too much it is time and money well spent
Written January 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Johan Claassen
Cape Town Central, South Africa81 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
My advice, read the reviews and negative experiences which I can also attest to. The owners seem to write lengthy reaponses to any form of criticism. What they should do is familiarize themselves with tourist expectations. What they should do is clean the place up and create value for money and a pleasant experience. There is no form of customer service at all. Paid R130 for 4 people. And what you get is a mouldy little dungeon containiing sea creatures, whom you end up feeling sorry for because of the surroundings. That is the experience. I anticipate the management to respond with comments around the intentions of the place, or thie individual creatures. This is not relevant to the customer experience, which is terrible. You leave with the feeling that this has been a tourist trap.
Written December 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cornelia Durant
Queenstown, South Africa22 contributions
Dec 2018 • Family
My sisters child went to swim with the sharkie's...he was afraid but staff were so friendly and gave him peace of mind.It was really a experience for him so young....
Written May 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks for your lovely review Corneliadur1, very much appreciated.
Written May 10, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
What is the age limit for the child price?
Alan J
1 contribution
Hi Wander 146. Children below three years come in for free. Children between the ages of four and fourteen pay R10.00.
clausenden
George, South Africa
Entry fee please
Alan J
1 contribution
R20.00 per adult, R10.00 per child and R170.00 to swim with our two female 1.8m long smooth hound sharks.
clausenden
George, South Africa
The price please
Alan J
1 contribution
Hi Clausende
R20.00 per adult, R10.00 per child and R170.00 to swim with our two female 1.8m long smooth hound sharks.
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Claim your listingThe Shark Lab - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about The Shark Lab
- The Shark Lab is open:
- Mon - Fri 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Sat - Sun 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near The Shark Lab:
- (0.04 mi) The Point Hotel & Spa
- (0.26 mi) Point Village Hotel
- (0.73 mi) Aqua Marina Guest House
- (0.27 mi) Barefoot Lodge Mossel Bay
- (0.28 mi) Point Village Guesthouse & Holiday Cottages
- Restaurants near The Shark Lab:
- (0.04 mi) Lig Punt Deli
- (0.04 mi) The Ice Cream Shop
- (0.06 mi) La Grange Food Worx - Food Truck
- (0.05 mi) Big Blu Restaurant & Bar
- (0.04 mi) Below The Lighthouse Restaurant