Sharjah Aquarium free entry is happening on May 18, and anyone in the UAE can walk right in. No booking, no ticket, no fees. This is the annual International Museum Day offer from the Sharjah Museums Authority, and it covers all 16 of its museums on that single day, including the aquarium.
What Is International Museum Day?
International Museum Day is observed every year on May 18 and is organized by the International Council of Museums (ICOM). The aim is to highlight the role museums play in education, cultural exchange, and public knowledge. Countries and institutions worldwide participate, with many offering free admission or special programming.
In Sharjah, the Sharjah Museums Authority consistently marks the day with a full free-entry offer for all its museums, giving the public one of the best no-cost cultural days in the UAE calendar.
What You Get Inside Sharjah Aquarium
Sharjah Aquarium is the UAE’s first and largest government educational aquarium. It opened in 2008 and covers 6,500 square meters with 21 tanks holding 1.8 million liters of water.
Inside, close to 100 marine species call it home, including clownfish, seahorses, moray eels, sea rays, and reef sharks. The tanks recreate local ecosystems, from coral reefs and lagoons to mangroves, with an educational focus on the Arabian Gulf and the UAE’s coastal heritage.
There is also a Touch Pool, where visitors can interact with marine life up close, and interactive sessions run on weekends for children aged 6 to 12 with their families.
For those who time it right, the main tank feeding takes place from Saturday to Thursday at 10:00 AM, while shark feeding sessions happen every Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM. May 18, 2026 falls on a Monday, so both are on the schedule.
Sharjah Maritime Museum Is Free Too
Right next door, the Sharjah Maritime Museum is also part of the International Museum Day free entry offer on May 18. A combined joint ticket for both normally costs AED 25 for adults and AED 15 for children between 2 and 12 years old. On May 18, both are free. That is a full day of genuine exploration for families without spending a single dirham.
Visit Details
- Date: Monday, May 18, 2026
- Location: Sharjah Aquarium, Al Khan Old Area, adjacent to Sharjah Maritime Museum
- Timings: Saturday to Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Friday: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Admission: Free
- Booking: No ticket or booking required. Walk in.
To get there, you can take a taxi, Uber, or Careem, or use public buses on lines E303A, E304, E307, E307A, or E400.
Photography is allowed inside. Flash photography is not, out of care for the marine life.
Why This Is Worth the Trip
Sharjah Aquarium normally charges AED 25 per adult and AED 15 per child. On May 18, all of that is waived. The Sharjah Maritime Museum next door is included in the offer. For anyone in Dubai or the wider UAE looking for a genuinely worthwhile day out, this is a solid option, especially for families and anyone who hasn’t visited the Al Khan area yet.
Plan your timing around the 10:00 AM tank feeding or the 1:00 PM shark feeding for the full experience. Early morning visits also tend to mean fewer crowds.
The aquarium also runs a turtle rehabilitation program, collecting and caring for injured sea turtles before releasing them back into the Arabian Gulf. It is one of the few public facilities in the UAE where conservation work happens on-site, and the exhibits make that context very clear for visitors of all ages.
For full details, visit the official Sharjah Museums Authority website at https://www.sharjahmuseums.ae.
Cover Image: AI-Generated for Illustration Purposes
