Mako is the steel hypercoaster that redefined SeaWorld Orlando’s skyline in 2016, and it’s still the park’s tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster. Built by Swiss manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard, it climbs 200 feet before diving riders into a relentless, airtime-driven chase across the park’s lake.
If you’re deciding whether to ride, where to sit, or how to fit Mako into a SeaWorld Orlando visit, this guide covers the verified stats, the height rules, the best seats, and how to plan around tickets and hours — all in one place.
Quick Answer
Mako stands 200 feet tall, reaches 73 mph, and runs 4,760 feet of track — making it the tallest and fastest coaster in Orlando. It’s a B&M hyper coaster with zero inversions, built around airtime rather than loops, and riders must be at least 54 inches (137 cm) tall to board.
Mako Stats at a Glance
Park: SeaWorld Orlando, Orlando, Florida. Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M Hyper Coaster model). Opened: June 10, 2016. Height: 200 ft (61 m). Top speed: 73 mph (117 km/h). Track length: 4,760 ft (1,450 m). Inversions: 0. Height requirement: 54 in (137 cm) minimum.
Trains run three at a time, each with seven cars arranged four across in a single row, carrying 28 riders per train. The lead cars carry shark-inspired styling that ties back to the ride’s theme.
How Tall and How Fast Is Mako?
At 200 feet, Mako’s lift hill is the tallest in Orlando’s theme-park market, and the first drop is what sends trains to their top recorded speed of 73 mph. Both figures were accurate at Mako’s 2016 debut and remain its official specs today — no other Orlando coaster has topped them as of this writing.
The 4,760-foot layout is the longest at SeaWorld Orlando, giving trains room for nine distinct airtime moments across the out-and-back course.
Height Requirement and Who Can Ride
Riders must be 54 inches (137 cm) or taller to ride Mako — there’s no adult-assist exception at this height tier, so shorter guests cannot ride even with a companion. The restraint is a simple lap bar with no over-the-shoulder harness, which is part of why the hills hit with so much force.
If you’re planning a visit with a mixed-height group, SeaWorld Orlando posts height requirements at each ride entrance, and our SeaWorld Orlando height requirements guide breaks down every attraction’s minimum so you can plan who rides what before you arrive.
The Ride Experience: Front Row vs. Back Row
Mako’s out-and-back layout is built for sustained airtime rather than inversions, and where you sit changes the ride noticeably. The front row gives you the clearest view of each drop before you feel it and the strongest sense of speed, since there’s nothing but open track ahead.
The back row is the pick for riders chasing the strongest ejector airtime — the rear cars get pulled over each hill with more force, making the ride feel faster and less controlled. Middle rows offer a more stable, moderate experience if you’re riding with someone nervous about the bigger hills. About a third of the course runs directly over the lake, which adds a sense of openness no matter where you sit.
Planning Your Visit
SeaWorld Orlando’s operating hours shift with the season, typically opening in the morning and closing anywhere from early evening to late at night during peak periods, so it’s worth checking the calendar before you go rather than assuming a fixed schedule.
Tickets are sold as single-day admission, multi-day and annual pass tiers, and park-specific or multi-park bundles with Busch Gardens and other SeaWorld-affiliated parks — pricing depends on the date and ticket type you choose. For current hours, ticket prices, and any seasonal closures that could affect Mako specifically, check the official SeaWorld Orlando site or the official Mako ride page directly before your visit.
Shark Theming and Recognition
Mako is named for the mako shark, widely cited as the fastest shark species in the ocean, and SeaWorld built a conservation message around the whole attraction. The surrounding Shark Wreck Reef area uses recycled-material sculptures and educational signage about mako sharks, paired with an original musical score composed for the ride.
Since opening, Mako has been a regular fixture in Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards, placing among the top 50 steel coasters every year and reaching its best ranking, 15th, in 2019. It was also the first new coaster built at SeaWorld Orlando since Manta opened in 2009.
Mako Photo Archive: March 2021
These are original ThrillZing photos of Mako taken at SeaWorld Orlando on March 10, 2021, shot on an iPhone and published as taken, plus 2 square edits from the same day. They show the B&M hypercoaster’s shark sign and sculptures at the entrance, trains passing overhead, and the 200-foot lift hill and camelback hills across the lake in the late afternoon. All photos are free to reuse under a CC BY 4.0 license with credit to ThrillZing and a link to this page.
2021 · 21 photos
Park apps, mobile ordering and photos kill a battery by 3 p.m. This one snaps on magnetically, so there's no cable to snag on a restraint.
Ride with your glasses on and keep them. Many parks allow glasses on rides if they're strapped, so check the ride rules first.
Small enough to ride with on most coasters, big enough for a phone, card and keys. Two zippers mean nothing falls out upside down.
Mako roller coaster FAQs
How tall is Mako at SeaWorld Orlando?
Mako’s lift hill stands 200 feet (61 m) tall, making it the tallest roller coaster in Orlando.
How fast does Mako go?
Mako reaches a top speed of 73 mph (117 km/h) on its first drop, the fastest of any coaster in the Orlando market.
How long is the Mako ride?
The track measures 4,760 feet (1,450 m), the longest coaster layout at SeaWorld Orlando. Mako has no inversions — the layout is built for airtime hills instead of loops.
What is the height requirement to ride Mako?
Riders must be at least 54 inches (137 cm) tall. There is no companion-rider exception below that height.
What’s the best seat on Mako?
Front row gives the clearest views and the sharpest sense of speed; back row delivers the strongest airtime. Middle rows are the most stable option for nervous riders.
When did Mako open?
Mako opened at SeaWorld Orlando on June 10, 2016, built by Swiss manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard.
Where can I check current SeaWorld Orlando hours and ticket prices?
Hours and pricing change seasonally, so check the official SeaWorld Orlando website directly for the current schedule and ticket tiers before you visit.
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