When searching for underwater fun, seekers will find out that each aquarium in the UAE is worth visiting as they all offer magical aquatic experiences that are simply fascinating. Also, when searching for an aquarium near me – you will find various options across the Emirates, especially in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. Therefore, explore the best aquariums in the United Arab Emirates and everything they have to offer.
Which Aquarium UAE is Best to Visit?
Aquariums and marine exhibits offer people a chance to explore underwater life. Also, they save various sea creatures and provide a perfect home for them. Therefore, visiting an aquarium is both an educational and entertaining experience. Below, discover the best aquariums in UAE with their locations, experiences, and more.
Dubai Aquarium
First of all, the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is one of the best aquariums ever. It resides within Dubai Mall, and shoppers can get glimpses of the many sea creatures it homes when passing by it. In addition, this aquatic habitat is known for its long tunnel, where guests can walk and see magnificent sea creatures swimming around them. In fact, this tunnel is 48 meters long, with 270-degree views, and is a marvellous experience where you would feel like you are walking under the deep ocean waters.
As for the aquarium’s tank, it is considered one of the largest ones across the globe. As it is a 10-million liter tank with over 140 species swimming around it. Moreover, this tank is home to over 300 sharks and Rays, including the largest collection of Sand Tiger Sharks in the whole world.
In addition to the tank and tunnel, Dubai Aquarium offers many other experiences, such as feeding animals, diving with professional instructors, and glass-bottom boat rides.
- Location: ground level, Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai
- Working Hours:
- During weekdays: 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
- During weekends: 10:00 am – 12:00 am
- Last admission on weekdays: 10:15 pm
- Last admission on weekends: 11:15
- Contact Details:
- 800 38 224 6255
- enquiries@thedubaiaquarium.com
- Dubai Aquarium Tickets
- On weekdays: AED 199
- On weekends: AED 209
- Experiences:
- Diving with sharks
- Snorkelling inside a cage
- Scuba Diving
- Boat rides across the tanks
- VR underwater Zoo
- Internship Aquarist Programme
- Private group tours
- Birthday venues
- Animal encounters and feeding, such as:
- King Croc
- Penguin
- Otter
- Ray
- Sharks
National Aquarium Abu Dhabi
Secondly, the National Aquarium in Abu Dhabi offers a one-of-a-kind journey across the Arabian Gulf and beyond, as it has around 9 thematic zones that offer different habitats for more than 330 unique species. Also, the tank is home to more than 46,000 animals waiting to meet guests.
Furthermore, the National Aquarium offers the chance to meet and feed many animals, such as reptiles and penguins, along with many other ocean and jungle creatures.
What distinguishes this aquarium the most is its efforts to save underwater wildlife as it fosters many rescue programmes to rehabilitate, rescue, and release the native wildlife in Abu Dhabi. Moreover, these efforts aim to save the UAE’s wildlife and natural treasures for future generations.
In addition, it hosts several educational programmes dedicated to educating students and enhancing their knowledge about the environment and wildlife. For example, they have the Professors Aquademy for children, with a curriculum covering key topics on UAE’s coastal heritage.
- Location: Al Qana, Rabdan area, Abu Dhabi
- Working Hours: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm (Monday – Sunday)
- Contact Details:
- +971 2 418 6666
- info@thenationalaquarium.ae
- Abu Dhabi Aquarium Ticket Price:
- General Admission: AED 99
- Beyond the Glass Journey: AED 126
- Bu Tinah Dhow: AED 144
- Animal Encounters: AED 190
- All Access Tickets: AED 110
- Annual Membership: AED 399
- VIP Package: AED 2,500
- Experiences:
- Sea jellies exhibit
- Pristine seas exhibit
- Glass bridge walks
- Glass-bottom boat tours
- Feeding animals
- Behind the scenes experiences
Sharjah Aquarium
In addition, Sharjah also has one of the best aquariums in the United Arab Emirates. The Sharjah Aquarium is a wonderful destination for families, students, and sea creatures lovers. Since 2008, the aquarium has been a destination for entertainment and education for the residents of the emirate as it is home to more than 100 species in its 1.8 million liters of water tank.
Additionally, the aquarium enhances educating young adults about underwater wildlife and the importance of preserving it. Therefore, it designated special entry fees for students – both in schools and universities. All in order to make the experience accessible and affordable for all.
Lastly, this aquarium holds various recreational programmes, which aim to help and rescue endangered species, such as a turtle rehabilitation programme. Also, it holds annual events to keep the environment clean.
- Location: Al Khan Old area, adjacent to Sharjah Maritime Museum
- Working Hours:
- 8:00 am – 8:00 pm (Saturday – Thursday)
- 8:00 am – 4:00 pm (Fridays)
- Contact Details:
- +9716 528 5288
- info@sma.gov.ae
- Sharjah Aquarium Tickets:
- Children (2 – 12 years old): AED 15
- 6 or more children: AED 10
- Adults (+13 years old): AED 25
- 6 or more adults: AED 15
- Private school trips: AED 5 per person
- Private university trips: AED 5 per person
- Free entry:
- Children younger than 2 years old
- Seniors older than 60 years old, plus 1 companion
- People of determination
- Government school & university trips
- Experiences:
- Meeting sea creatures, such as:
- Clownfish
- Seahorses
- Moray eels
- Sea rays
- Reef sharks
- Recreational programmes
- Meeting sea creatures, such as:
Sea World Abu Dhabi
Another Aquarium UAE has is this marvellous theme park. SeaWorld Abu Dhabi offers various experiences all under one roof. It is not just an aquarium, but it is also a theme park with many rides and experiences for both children and adults. In addition, this amazing destination has 8 different zones – or realms – that capture the essence of different continents, including:
- One Ocean
- Abu Dhabi Ocean
- Rocky Point
- Micro Ocean
- Tropical Ocean
- Arctic
- Antarctica
- Endless Ocean
Each of these realms has different experiences, as they are also home to different animals. Furthermore, at Sea World Abu Dhabi, you will get to meet over 68,000 animals, such as sharks, mantas, rays, and schooling fish. Also, the dolphin show is a must-watch!
Additionally, the thrilling rides and interactive experiences are a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Both children and adults will have plenty of fun through them. They will embark on wonderful journeys which will bring them closer to the magical marine life.
- Location: Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
- Working Hours: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (Daily)
- Contact Details: +971 60 051 1115
- Tickets:
- Single Day Ticket: AED 375 (Adults), AED 290 (Kids)
- Dolphin Encounter: AED 195
- Sea Otter Encounter: AED 195
- SeaDive: AED 1,295
- Seal and Sea Lion Encounter: AED 245
- SeaVenture: AED 245
- Walrus Encounter: AED 195
- Experiences:
- Thrilling rides:
- Manta Coaster
- Eel Racer
- Explorers’ Sea Base
- Gallery Games
- Jelly Plunge
- Octozoom!
- Dolphin Presentation
- Feed the Sea Lions
- Ocean Surface Pod
- Sea Otter Habitat
- Thrilling rides:
Atlantis Dubai Aquarium
Lastly, the Lost Chambers Aquarium is one of the many fascinating experiences in Atlantis the Palm. This luxurious hotel offers guests a chance to explore underwater life along with all its miraculous creatures. Moreover, the Lost Chambers is home to more than 65,000 captivating marine animals. Visitors get to meet these animals and explore behind the scenes how professionals take care of them. Also, visitors can embark on an under-the-sea journey to explore the lost city of Atlantis.
In addition, there are 21 exhibits in the aquarium to explore, such as the Ambassador Lagoon – which is home to sharks, rays, jellyfish, and many colourful clownfish. In short words, all of these exhibits will leave you amazed by the underwater miracles.
Alongside the exhibits, there are various chambers to discover – 14 to be exact. Their experiences will let you delve deep into ancient stories and explore rare artifacts.
- Location: Atlantis the Palm, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
- Working Hours: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm (Daily)
- Contact Details: +971 4 426 1040
- Atlantis Aquarium Tickets: AED 135
- Experiences:
- Family tours around the fish tanks
- Learning from shark specialists
- Shark safari
- Snorkelling
- Trying out underwater yoga
- Diving with rare sea creatures
- Interacting with the blue-spotted ray
- Meeting the Queenslander grouper
In conclusion, every aquarium in UAE is a safe haven for magical underwater creatures worth meeting. Planning a trip to any of the aquariums listed above will truly be an unforgettable experience. Furthermore, make sure to explore Property Finder’s blog for more entertaining guides, such as Ferrari World and Legoland Dubai.
