My route
Sign in
WorldUnited Arab EmiratesSharjahSharjah AquariumMy routeRoute

Sharjah Aquarium

Glass walk-through tunnel in Sharjah Aquarium with fish swimming overhead
Photo: Jaseem Hamza, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

The essentials in 10 seconds

Ticket (incl. Maritime Museum)
Adults 13+ AED 25, children 2–12 AED 15
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Opening hours
Saturday–Thursday 8:00–20:00, Friday 16:00–20:00
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Time on site
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes.
1 h 30 min
With kids
Fine with kids
Free entry
Under-2s; seniors 60+ and people of determination, each with one companion
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Ramadan
Sat–Thu 9:00–14:00 and 21:00–23:00, Fri 21:00–23:00; no evening session in the last 10 nights
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Closed
29th–30th Ramadan, first day of Eid Al Fitr, 9th Dhul Hijjah, first day of Eid Al Adha
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Sunday
Open per the aquarium page; an older FAQ on the same site says closed
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Shark feeding
Sat, Mon, Wed 13:00–13:30
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Where to buy
At the desk or the Sharjah Museums Authority e-shop; no booking needed for individuals
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Ferry from Dubai
Al Ghubaiba – Sharjah Aquarium, ≈ 35 min, AED 15; few sailings a day
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Address
Al Mina Street, Al Khan, next to Sharjah Maritime Museum
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Coordinates
25.33038, 55.35830YesGo MapGoogleApple

Key facts

AED 25adult ticket covering both the aquarium and the Maritime Museum; AED 15 for children
SourceSharjah Museums Authority
Fri 16:00–20:00the short day; other days 8:00–20:00
SourceSharjah Museums Authority
21 tankson two floors covering 6,500 m²
2 sourcesSharjah Museums AuthorityVisit Sharjah gives 20 tanks
6 June 2008opening day
SourceSharjah Museums Authority
1.8 million litresof water across all tanks
SourceSharjah Museums Authority
≈ 100–150 speciesSMA says around 100 species; Visit Sharjah says more than 150 species of fish
2 sourcesSharjah Museums AuthorityVisit Sharjah (Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority)
60+seniors get in free with one companion
SourceSharjah Museums Authority
Sea turtlessick and injured turtles are treated here in a rehabilitation programme
SourceSharjah Museums Authority
Touch poollets visitors handle marine life
SourceSharjah Museums Authority
Sat, Mon, Wedshark feeding at 13:00–13:30
SourceSharjah Museums Authority
2009the Maritime Museum moved next door to Al Khan (first opened in 2003 in the Heritage Area)
SourceSharjah Museums Authority

Sharjah Aquarium tickets and prices

Adults (13+) pay AED 25 and children aged 2–12 pay AED 15; under-2s are free. There is no aquarium-only price: it is a joint ticket that also gets you into the Sharjah Maritime Museum next door. No family ticket is listed.

Seniors aged 60+ and people of determination go free, each with one companion, as do ICOM card holders. Everyone gets in free on International Museum Day (18 May) and UAE National Day (2–3 December).

Individual visitors don't need to book — the Sharjah Museums Authority only asks groups and schools to reserve. Buy at the desk on arrival or on the SMA e-shop. Keep a few dirhams in cash as a back-up in case a card is declined.

Sharjah Aquarium timings

Saturday to Thursday 8:00–20:00, Friday 16:00–20:00. Friday is the trap: the doors open only in the late afternoon, so if you're coming from Dubai on a weekend, Saturday is the better day.

During Ramadan the aquarium splits the day: 9:00–14:00 and 21:00–23:00 from Saturday to Thursday, and 21:00–23:00 on Friday, with no evening session in the last ten nights. It closes on the 29th and 30th of Ramadan, the first day of Eid Al Fitr, the 9th of Dhul Hijjah and the first day of Eid Al Adha.

One caveat: an older FAQ on the SMA site lists Sunday as a closing day. The aquarium's own page, in English and Arabic, says Saturday–Thursday, and it runs children's workshops on Sundays — but if Sunday is your only day, ring ahead.

How to get to Sharjah Aquarium

Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.

Loading the map…

destinationStreet view

Where are you starting from?

We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.

More tips

  1. From the old centre (Heart of Sharjah and Al Hisn Fort): taxi, about 10–15 minutes — it's 4 km as the crow flies. Street taxis and ride-hailing apps both work in Sharjah.
  2. From Al Qasba: 2 km, a short taxi hop.
  3. By local bus: Mowasalat routes 3 and 7 serve the Aquarium Marine Station next door (unofficial).
  4. From Dubai by bus: RTA routes E303 (Union), E306 (Al Ghubaiba), E307 (Deira City Centre) or E307A (Abu Hail) to Al Jubail bus station — AED 12 on a nol card — then a taxi of about 3 km.
  5. From Dubai by water: the RTA ferry from Al Ghubaiba Marine Station docks right at the aquarium in about 35 minutes. Check sailing times before you go.

Taking the Dubai–Sharjah ferry

The ferry is the most enjoyable way in. RTA's route FR5 links Al Ghubaiba Marine Station in Bur Dubai — a short walk from Al Ghubaiba metro on the Green Line — with Sharjah Aquarium Marine Station, right outside the aquarium. The crossing takes about 35 minutes.

Gulf News and RTA list fares of AED 15 (Silver) and AED 25 (Gold), with under-5s free. There are only a handful of sailings a day and published timetables differ, so check RTA's marine transport site on the day. A good plan: ferry in, bus or taxi back.

What to see

  • The main Arabian Gulf and Sea of Oman tank — fish feeding Saturday to Thursday at 10:00.
  • Shark feeding — Saturday, Monday and Wednesday, 13:00–13:30.
  • The touch pool — kids can handle marine life under supervision.
  • Reef sharks, rays, moray eels, seahorses and clownfish in tanks that recreate rocky shores, reefs, lagoons and mangroves.
  • The walk-through tunnel — short, with fish overhead (described by independent guides, not on the official page).
  • Sharjah Maritime Museum next door — wooden dhows, real Arabian pearls and pearl-diving gear, on the same ticket.

Is Sharjah Aquarium worth it?

Yes, if you want a cheap, unhurried look at the sea life of the UAE coast — especially with children. For AED 25 you get two floors of tanks, the turtle rehabilitation work, a touch pool and a whole museum about pearling and dhows. Allow about an hour for the aquarium and half an hour for the museum.

It is not a rival to the giant tank of Dubai Aquarium in Dubai Mall: tanks are smaller and there's no mall-sized viewing panel. If you've seen big aquariums before and only have one free day in Sharjah, put the Museum of Islamic Civilization and the Rain Room first.

Aquarium vs Maritime Museum

Aquariumyou are here21 tanks, turtles, touch poolJoint: AED 25 / children AED 15Sat–Thu 8:00–20:00, Fri 16:00–20:002008Kids and sea-life fans
Maritime MuseumDhows, pearls, fishing gearSame ticketSat–Thu 8:00–20:00, Fri 16:00–20:002003; in Al Khan since 2009Gulf history buffs

They're next door to each other on one ticket — do both. Short on time? Give the aquarium most of it and walk the museum quickly.

Before you go: checklist

Ready: 0 of 6

Tick what is ready — your ticks stay in this browser.

Sharjah by the water

Sharjah's lagoons, island and waterfronts rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.

Al Majaz Waterfront401 hFree2.9 km
Al Qasba381 h 30 minFree31 min walk
Al Noor Island341 h 30 minAED 35; AED 50 with Butterfly House2.7 km
Sharjah Aquariumyou are here321 h 30 minAED 25, kids 2–12 AED 15—

Sharjah's lagoons in a day

Aquarium in the morning, Al Qasba canal at lunch, the Al Majaz fountain, Al Noor Island and the Blue Souk later on. YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.

  1. Sharjah Aquariumyou are here1 h 30 min · AED 25, kids 2–12 AED 15
  2. 31 min walk from the previous stopAl Qasba1 h 30 min · Free; boats from AED 20
  3. 25 min walk from the previous stopAl Majaz Waterfront1 h · Free
  4. 13 min walk from the previous stopAl Noor Island1 h 30 min · AED 35; AED 50 with Butterfly House
  5. 24 min walk from the previous stopBlue Souk (Central Souq)1 h · Free entry

5 places · about 8 h 3 min with walks · 93 min on foot in total

Go · my route

Nearby — add to your day

Al Qasba

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

1 h 30 min · Free; boats from AED 20 · 31 min walk

How to do it right

  • Time your visit for 13:00 on a Saturday, Monday or Wednesday to catch the shark feeding.
  • Do the aquarium first and the Maritime Museum second — one ticket, and children tire before the tanks run out.
  • Arrive from Dubai by ferry and leave by bus or taxi — there are only a few sailings.
  • In the evening, move on to Al Qasba and the Al Majaz Waterfront fountain.
  • Dress modestly and leave alcohol behind: Sharjah's rules are stricter than Dubai's.

Questions

How much is the Sharjah Aquarium ticket?

AED 25 for adults and AED 15 for children aged 2–12; under-2s are free. The ticket also covers the Sharjah Maritime Museum next door.

What are Sharjah Aquarium timings?

Saturday to Thursday 8:00–20:00 and Friday 16:00–20:00. In Ramadan it opens 9:00–14:00 and 21:00–23:00.

Is Sharjah Aquarium open on Friday?

Only in the afternoon and evening, from 16:00 to 20:00.

Is Sharjah Aquarium open on Sunday?

The official aquarium page lists Saturday–Thursday as open, but an older FAQ on the same site says Sunday is a closing day — call ahead if Sunday is your only option.

How do I get to Sharjah Aquarium from Dubai?

Take the RTA ferry from Al Ghubaiba (about 35 minutes, AED 15) or an E303/E306/E307 bus to Al Jubail (AED 12 on nol) and a short taxi ride.

Is Sharjah Aquarium worth visiting?

Yes for families and anyone wanting a cheap look at UAE sea life plus the Maritime Museum. Skip it if you've seen large aquariums and are short on time.

How long do you need at Sharjah Aquarium?

About an hour for the aquarium and 30 minutes for the Maritime Museum.

Is Sharjah Aquarium free for seniors?

Yes — visitors aged 60+ get in free with one companion.

Sharjah Aquarium vs Dubai Aquarium: which is better?

Dubai's is far bigger and pricier, with a giant tank inside Dubai Mall. Sharjah's is smaller, quieter, focused on local species and costs AED 25 including a museum.

Have you been? Was it worth your time?

1 — no, 5 — absolutely

Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.

Sources and fact-check

  • Sharjah Museums Authority: Sharjah Aquarium page (English and Arabic) and Sharjah Maritime Museum page — hours, fares, closures, exhibits
  • Sharjah Museums Authority: FAQs — booking, joint tickets, photography
  • Visit Sharjah (Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority): Sharjah Aquarium
  • RTA: Dubai Ferry routes — FR5 Sharjah Aquarium Marine Station – Al Ghubaiba Marine Station
  • Gulf News, 2025: commuting between Dubai and Sharjah by bus and ferry
  • Gulf News, 2024: alcohol rules emirate by emirate; Gulf News: Sharjah decency rules
  • OpenStreetMap — building location; Wikidata Q137798871
YesGo editorial team · facts checked 03.11.2026 ·
How we checkedFares, hours, Ramadan timings, closing days, free-entry groups and exhibits come from the aquarium's official Sharjah Museums Authority page; the English and Arabic versions match. The SMA FAQ still shows an older schedule (Friday from 14:00, closed Sunday), while the aquarium page and its Sunday children's workshops point to Sunday opening — we follow the aquarium page and mark Sunday as verifying. SMA and Visit Sharjah differ on tanks (21 vs 20) and species (about 100 vs 150+), so we show both. The tunnel isn't on the official page; independent guides describe it — unofficial. Ferry fares and crossing time come from Gulf News and RTA; route FR5 is on RTA's route list but timetables differ, so it is marked verifying. The AED 12 bus fare is from Gulf News; other sources give AED 10. We found no reports of recent closures. The Wikidata point is about 5 km off, so the location follows OpenStreetMap.

Top YesGo picks: Sharjah

Blue Souk (Central Souq)

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

1 h · Free entry

Al Majaz Waterfront

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

1 h · Free

Rain Room

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

30 min · AED 25, under 5 free

Sharjah Fort (Al Hisn)

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

1 h · AED 10 · 5-museum ticket AED 20

Al Noor Island

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

1 h 30 min · AED 35; AED 50 with Butterfly House

Sharjah Mosque

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

45 min · Free

Mleiha

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

3 h · AED 25, kids AED 15

All places: Sharjah →