Sharks are taking over SeaWorld Orlando for a full week of education, themed food, family fun and theme park thrills.
Shark Appreciation Week runs from July 27 through August 1, 2026, giving guests several ways to learn more about the ocean’s most misunderstood predators. The event combines animal encounters and conservation education with character appearances, limited-time treats, merchandise and one of the best shark-themed roller coasters around.
It is a natural fit for SeaWorld Orlando. Sharks already play a major role throughout the park, from the underwater habitats and educational displays to the towering blue track of Mako stretching across the skyline.
Meet SeaWorld’s Shark Experts
One of the most interesting parts of Shark Appreciation Week will be the daily Aquarist Talks at Shark Shallows. Members of SeaWorld’s animal care team will share shark facts, explain how the animals are cared for and answer questions from guests.
The talks will take place July 27 through July 31 at 11:00 a.m., noon and 1:00 p.m. This should be a great opportunity to spend a little more time learning about the sharks instead of simply walking past the habitat on the way to the next ride.
Sharks are often portrayed as terrifying ocean predators, but events like this can help guests understand the important role they play in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. That educational side is what helps Shark Appreciation Week feel like more than another seasonal theme park promotion.
Celebrate 10 Years of Mako
Of course, you cannot celebrate sharks at SeaWorld Orlando without talking about Mako.
The hypercoaster is celebrating its tenth anniversary with special photo opportunities and anniversary moments throughout the event. Mako reaches a height of 200 feet and speeds of up to 73 miles per hour, delivering a ride filled with large drops, sustained speed and repeated moments of airtime.
Mako remains one of my favorite coasters at SeaWorld Orlando and probably one of my favorites anywhere in Orlando when it comes to pure thrills. There are no complicated ride systems or lengthy story scenes here. It is simply a massive hypercoaster doing exactly what it should do.
The first drop still delivers that floating feeling as the train dives toward the lagoon, but the airtime hills are what really make Mako special. You are repeatedly lifted out of your seat as the coaster races around the park, and the open lap-bar restraints make those moments feel even more intense.
Even after ten years, Mako continues to hold its own against Orlando’s newer roller coasters.
Take a virtual ride aboard Mako and experience its 200-foot climb, 73-mph plunge and airtime-filled course before trying it during Shark Appreciation Week.
Sip Into Shark Week
Guests looking for an adult beverage can stop at the Sharks Underwater Grill Bar for the limited-time Shark Margarita.
SeaWorld describes it as a refreshing specialty cocktail created specifically for Shark Appreciation Week. It sounds like an appropriate way to cool down after riding Mako in the middle of the Florida summer heat.
The Sharks Underwater Grill area is also one of the best places to slow down during a park visit. With sharks swimming nearby and Mako roaring overhead, the entire section already feels like the center of the celebration.
Meet Sydney Shark
Families will also have the opportunity to meet Sydney Shark during Shark Days.
The character will be available for photographs during select times listed on SeaWorld Orlando’s daily park schedule. It adds another family-friendly element to an event that balances educational activities with lighter entertainment.
Be sure to check the SeaWorld Orlando app or the park schedule on the day of your visit, since appearance times may vary.
Baby Shark Joins the Celebration
Younger guests can sing and dance with Baby Shark and Pinkfong during an interactive experience featuring a live mini show, character meet-and-greets and themed treats. The experience is included with regular park admission.
The Baby Shark offerings include several limited-time food choices, including Shark Fin PB&J Sandwiches, MacAttack Shark Bites, Baby Shark Cookie Dippin’ Dots and Baby Shark-Cuteries.
This may not be the side of Shark Week that adult fans immediately think about, but it gives younger children their own way to join the celebration. It also makes the event more accessible for families with children who may not be tall enough for Mako or interested in the more educational animal presentations.
Exclusive Shark Merchandise
SeaWorld Orlando will also offer shark-themed apparel, plush, collectibles and Guy Harvey artwork throughout the park.
Guests can look for the merchandise at locations including Fins Gifts, Reef’s Treasures and the Guy Harvey Shop. Whether you collect theme park shirts, artwork or plush animals, there should be several ways to take a piece of Shark Appreciation Week home.
Pass Members, Fun Card holders, Teacher Card holders, Preschool Card holders and Military Pass Members can also purchase a limited-edition Guy Harvey commemorative hard-stock card for $5.
The card will be available at the front-gate ticket windows. SeaWorld says 100 percent of the net proceeds before taxes will support the Guy Harvey Foundation’s shark conservation, scientific research and education efforts.
That makes the card more meaningful than a standard souvenir. It gives collectors something exclusive while also supporting ongoing conservation work.
Explore Shark Encounter
Even outside of the scheduled activities, Shark Encounter should be an essential stop during the event.
The attraction takes guests through a massive underwater viewing tunnel surrounded by sharks and other marine life. It remains one of SeaWorld Orlando’s most memorable animal experiences, especially when a shark slowly passes directly over the tunnel.
This is the kind of attraction that deserves more than a quick walk-through. Shark Appreciation Week provides a good reason to slow down, observe the animals and spend a little extra time reading the information throughout the exhibit.
Check Out Expedition Odyssey: Fire & Ice
Shark Appreciation Week is also a great opportunity to experience SeaWorld Orlando’s newest attraction, Expedition Odyssey: Fire & Ice.
This all-new, story-driven Arctic adventure places guests inside an immersive research outpost before recruiting them for a scientific mission exploring the extreme forces shaping the frozen environment. After a briefing from a research scientist, guests board a prototype drone craft for a cinematic expedition through changing landscapes and wildlife encounters.
The attraction blends simulator technology, large-scale visuals and immersive storytelling to create the feeling of traveling through the Arctic. Rather than ending immediately after the ride portion, the experience transitions into a real-world animal encounter featuring live beluga whales and walruses.
Expedition Odyssey: Fire & Ice has a minimum height requirement of only 39 inches, making it a family-friendly thrill that both children and adults can experience together. That lower requirement should make it a strong addition for families looking for something beyond the park’s larger roller coasters.
Between the shark activities, Mako and Expedition Odyssey, there is plenty to build a full day around.
A Full Week of Sharks and Summer Thrills
Shark Appreciation Week gives SeaWorld Orlando visitors a little bit of everything.
Animal enthusiasts can attend the Aquarist Talks and spend time inside Shark Encounter. Families can meet Sydney Shark, watch the Baby Shark mini show and try the themed food. Collectors can search for exclusive merchandise and the Guy Harvey conservation card.
Then there is Mako.
Celebrating Shark Appreciation Week without riding Mako would feel incomplete, especially during its tenth-anniversary year. It remains one of Orlando’s strongest roller coasters and continues to deliver the kind of speed and airtime that makes me want to get right back in line.
Add Expedition Odyssey: Fire & Ice to the day, and SeaWorld Orlando has created a strong combination of education, animal encounters, family entertainment and theme park thrills.
Shark Appreciation Week takes place at SeaWorld Orlando from July 27 through August 1, 2026. Most activities are included with park admission, although food, beverages, merchandise and other upgrades require an additional purchase.
