When you came to Las Vegas, did you expect it to look a little bit like Burma? Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay takes a more in-your-face approach to its home resort’s aesthetic, modeling itself after an ancient Indo-Pacific temple slowly being overtaken by aquatic reptiles, sea life and the very ocean itself. You might even forget that you’re on the Strip when surrounded by the eeriness of moss and branches reclaiming ancient stone ruins or a shipwreck, now occupied by exotic sharks and rays, resting beneath the surface.

For all its showmanship, it’s important to note that the Shark Reef is, first and foremost, an educational and conservational endeavor. With 14 exhibits, the $60 million facility provides a surprisingly immersive experience for viewing and learning about more than 2,000 individual animals. The facility is the first (and so far only) aquarium in the state of Nevada to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

An introductory above-ground portion of the aquarium is marked by the mossy temple with various reptiles making themselves at home. The Shark Reef’s golden crocodiles, Burmese pythons and Komodo dragons are all exquisite sights, and as the walking path passes through the exhibits, the aquarium increasingly becomes a testament to the diversity of life on this planet.

One tank features colorful cichlids from Lake Tanganyika, while another houses an assortment of predators from the Amazon River, such as fearsome freshwater stingrays and “bony-tongued” arowanas. The most infamous Amazon-dweller is represented along the way as well: A 2,000-gallon tank houses piranhas that were rescued from a nightclub that had illegally obtained and displayed them for three years.

As the walking path descends into the more aquatic realm below the temple, the exhibits become increasingly larger and more interactive. A glass tunnel passing through a 144,000-gallon saltwater exhibit puts you as close as you can get to butterflyfish, angelfish and sharks, without scuba certification and chainmail. The touch pool provides a rare hands-on experience, allowing visitors to interact with horseshoe crabs and various rays. A nearby column of glowing moon jellyfish is a popular spot for photos.

The aquarium’s deepest and most immersive level houses the Shark Reef’s 1.3 million-gallon main attraction. You’ll find yourself within a shipwreck below the waves, with all manner of sharks, sea turtles, sawfish and other species swimming above, beside and even below. It’s nearly impossible to catch a glimpse at every single critter inhabiting this tank, but stick around for as long as you can and try.

The Shark Reef Aquarium’s Animal Encounter experiences lets guests participate in feeding sea turtles, stingrays and even some of the sharks. You’ll be taken behind (or more accurately, above) the scenes during feeding time and the staff guides you as you feed the sea creatures below.

Mandalay Bay, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sun.-Thurs., 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat., last admission is one hour prior to closing, $18 adults, $12 children 5-12, free admission children 4 and younger, Nevada residents with proper ID receive a discount. 702.632.4555