Atlantis Marine Habitat & The Dig

The Atlantis Marine Habitat is one of those rare attractions where kids of every age — from babies in carriers to eye-rolling teens — are genuinely captivated. It's the largest open-air marine habitat on the planet, home to over 50,000 aquatic animals across more than 250 species, and it's designed so you feel like you're walking through their world rather than peering at them from outside.

The crown jewel is The Dig, an elaborate series of underground tunnels and chambers themed as the ruins of the lost city of Atlantis. As you walk through dimly lit passageways, massive floor-to-ceiling acrylic panels reveal sharks circling lazily, schools of tropical fish darting through coral-encrusted columns, and spotted eagle rays gliding overhead. The Predator Lagoon tunnel is the showstopper — you walk through a transparent tube while hammerhead sharks, sawfish, and barracuda swim inches above your head.

It's genuinely breathtaking, and kids tend to stand frozen with their mouths open.

Outside, the habitat spreads across multiple lagoons connected by waterfalls and bridges. The nurse shark exhibit lets kids watch these docile sharks from just a few feet away. Sea turtles cruise through the lagoons at their own pace, and colorful parrotfish and angelfish fill the shallower pools. The stingray touch pool (when available) is a huge hit with younger kids.

Practically speaking, The Dig is fully air-conditioned and stroller-accessible, making it the perfect rainy-day backup or midday escape from the heat. Plan 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on your kids' attention spans. The marine habitat admission is bundled with Aquaventure day passes or included free for Atlantis hotel guests, so most families combine both in a single day.

One insider move: the outdoor lagoon walkways near the Royal Towers are sometimes accessible in the evening without a day pass. It's not the full Dig experience, but you can still see sharks and rays in the open-air exhibits after hours.