Sharing Economy

Sweet dreams? Airbnb contest lets you sleep with the sharks

Airbnb is offering thrill-seekers the chance to spend the night under the watchful eye of 35 sharp-toothed sharks.

The peer-to-peer rental site has teamed up with France's Aquarium de Paris to give adrenaline junkies a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity", by entering a competition that allows people to sleep in a bedroom surrounded by the creatures.

The Shark Aquarium experience offered by Airbnb and Aquarium de Paris
Courtesy of Airbnb

Taking place on April 11, 12 and 13, three lucky winners will spend a night with their chosen guest, at the aquarium's underwater room which has a 360-degree transparent wall, that's surrounded by three million liters of water.

World record-breaking freediver and underwater photographer, Fred Buyle will be the event's host, who along with a marine biologist will take the winners on a tour of the aquarium, teaching them about the ocean's ecosystem and how sharks live.

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While the night's lodging is completely paid for, there are some house rules for the winners. The organizers advise "no selfies after dark" as sharks are sensitive to light, no diving and no night swimming; on top of some more light-hearted recommendations, such as "avoid seeing Jaws" before the event.

To be in with a chance of winning, Airbnb has asked participants to write — in a maximum of 550 characters — about themselves and why the entrant deserves to spend a night with the sharks.

Fancy a night sleeping with sharks?
VIDEO0:3200:32
Fancy a night sleeping with sharks?

Aquarium de Paris' CEO, Alexis L. Powilewicz said the leisure company was thrilled to be the first aquarium in the world to offer this opportunity. He went on to add that the event was important to the aquarium, as it highlights how sharks need to be protected as they are essential to the smooth running of the ocean's ecosystem.

"Sharks are essential for the health of marine ecosystem… It is therefore crucial to be able to observe them in order to better protect them," Powilewicz said in a statement emailed to CNBC.

"Aquariums provide a place to observe their behavior and reproduction patterns and we look forward to continuing to use this observation structure for that purpose."


The Shark Aquarium experience offered by Airbnb and Aquarium de Paris
Courtesy of Airbnb

On top of the one-night stay, each winner will receive a private dinner for two at the aquarium, breakfast and free travel to and from the French capital.

The deadline for the competition is April 3 at 11.59 pm CET (6.59pm ET); with winners being chosen on April 9.

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—By CNBC's Alexandra Gibbs, follow her @AlexGibbsy and @CNBCi