The Dubai Aquarium

Are you looking for information about the Dubai Aquarium? You've come to the right place!

If you want to discover one of the largest aquariums in the world, you should go to the "Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo". You won't regret this thrilling activity! 

Not only does the Dubai Aquarium house a rich collection of aquatic species, but it also offers experiences specially designed to arouse the curiosity of the youngest ones and satisfy that of the oldest people.

For me, its visit is undoubtedly part of the top 10 things to see or do during a stay in Dubai!

Want to know more? Then keep on reading, because you will discover here all the information about the Dubai Aquarium and the Underwater Zoo: the species you will be able to observe, the price of the tickets, the most interesting entrance tickets to buy, the opening hours, the shows...

Where is the Dubai Aquarium?

The Dubai Aquarium is located on the first floor of the Dubai Mall, the city's huge shopping center.

The full address is:

HOW TO GET THERE?

By taking the Dubai Metro, take the Red Line (It is 52 km long, runs along Sheikh Zayed Road to Terminals 1 and 3 of the airport and serves 29 stations) and get off at the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall station (No. 25).
Head towards the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa. Once you are in the mall, go to "Ground & Level 1 or 2".

In fact, there is no way you can get lost: just follow the indicators "Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo".

WHAT ARE THE OPENING HOURS?

The Dubai Aquarium is open every day of the year:

• from 10 am to midnight from Thursday to Saturday,
• from 10 am to 10 pm from Sunday to Wednesday.

Note that the last admission is 30 minutes before closing time.

WHERE TO BUY YOUR TICKETS FOR THE DUBAI AQUARIUM?

• Is it necessary to book tickets in advance?

You can buy tickets directly at the aquarium's ticket office located in the Dubai Mall. However, you should know that if you book your tickets online before you leave for Dubai, you will avoid waiting in line (the activity is very popular!) and it will be much more convenient to schedule your stay.

You can order your tickets easily on the internet and you will even pay a little bit less than you would once at the ticket office!

Alternatively, if you haven't been able to climb the Burj Khalifa observation deck yet, you can save a little more money by getting a combined ticket "Aquarium + Burj Khalifa".

This is the cheapest ticket that will save you the most money if you want to do these 2 activities during your stay

WHAT CAN YOU SEE IN THIS AQUARIUM?

The Dubai Aquarium is the largest suspended aquarium in the world: its tank contains 10 million liters of water and is 170 feet long, 65 feet wide and 36 feet high (51 meters x 20 m x 11 m).

First of all, you should know that just by walking through the alleys of the "Dubai Mall", you will be able to observe the many aquatic species it contains. However, if you want to see the creatures up close, head to the entrance of the Aquarium and Underwater Zoo and buy a ticket (or buy one online). You will then be able to visit both the aquarium and the underwater zoo, which is located on the second level.

• The Aquarium

The aquarium is really impressive and its architecture is exceptional! You will be able to observe through the windows and a transparent tunnel of 160 feet long (48 meters) an incredible underwater life. Among the many species, various kinds of fish, sharks (there is the largest collection of tiger sharks in the world!), jellyfish or rays will swim all around you. Their ballet is incessant and bewitching!

• The Underwater Zoo

The underwater zoo will also be a highlight of your visit. The aquatic animals are distributed in 40 exhibition tanks, in 3 different ecological zones:

• the rainforest/tropical (the jungle),
• the coastline/rocky coast (meeting of land and sea),
• the oceans.

Guided tours are given every 10 to 20 minutes and allow you to meet an incredible variety of exotic marine and terrestrial species. You can see fish such as piranhas for example, but also spider crabs, corals, seahorses or otters, auk and penguins.

In the night zone (2,100 sq ft, or 200 m²), you can see snakes, lizards, scorpions, bats and giant spiders. In short, the typical creatures of the desert of the United Arab Emirates!

In this zoo, you will especially have the opportunity to observe one of the largest crocodiles in the world, "King Croc". This giant crocodile from Australia is the big attraction of the zoo. He is 40 years old, 16 feet long (5 meters) and weighs 750 kg! His partner of 20 years is also present and they even have three babies!

At the entrance of the pond is a replica of "King Croc". You can have your picture taken with your head in its mouth 🙂

Don't forget that the Underwater Zoo is above all a way to alert visitors to the importance of preserving marine life. The presentations are mainly programs that provide information and knowledge about the marine world, the conservation of marine species and their environment.

Some figures to remember:

• The aquarium contains 33,000 aquatic animals.
• 140 different species live there.
• It has 330 shark specimens.
• The main tank is 170 ft long x 65 ft wide x 36 ft high (51 m x 20 m x 11 m). It contains 10 million liters of water and is spread over 3 floors.
• The glass wall is 750 mm thick (the thickest in the world).
• The tunnel is 160 feet long (48 meters) and is 36 feet below the surface (11 meters). It offers a 270° view.

HOW LONG DOES A VISIT LAST?

You can stay as long as you want.

Expect 15 to 30 minutes for the visit of the aquarium tunnel, and 45 minutes to 1H30 for the visit of the underwater zoo.

Of course, this time will increase if you stay to attend performances or to participate in activities. For example, the boat ride over the reservoir takes 15 to 20 minutes.

DUBAI AQUARIUM: TICKET OPTIONS

There are several ways to visit the aquarium.

The standard entrance, which costs about $34, gives you access the aquarium as well as the Underwater Zoo.

Tip: the standard entrance is cheaper online than on site. Go figure! Anyway, you can book directly on this website.

But by opting for other, more expensive packages, you will be able to see the animals up close, and even touch them.

The aquarium offers a lot of different activities, such as watching the divers feeding the animals (and even helping them!):

• rays every day at 10:30 am,
• sharks every day at 2 pm,
• otters at 2:30 pm,
• piranhas at 2:45 pm.

The visit to the "King Croc" (one of the largest reptiles in the world and the star of the site!) takes place at 4 pm.

You can also take a tour in a transparent boat (a maximum of 10 people can go on board at the same time), scuba dive or swim with sharks.

Of course, all of these activities are available at an additional cost to your standard ticket!

The glass-bottom boat rides are on the surface of the reservoir and give you a great view of the depths.

Don't forget that you can see many aquatic species for free from the mall's walkways.

Other possible activities in the Aquarium (which require an additional fee)

Meet activities:

• Shark Encounter: encounter with sharks (with trainer in cage) at feeding time
• Shark Trainer Encounter: meeting with a shark trainer
• King Croc Encounter: meeting with King Croc, the star of the aquarium
• Ray Encounter: meeting with the rays at the time of their feeding
• Otter Encounter: meeting the otters during their feeding time

Diving activities:

• Shark Walker: a new diving experience with an oxygen powered helmet
• Shark Dive: scuba diving with sharks
• Scuba Dive: discover scuba diving
• Cage Snorkeling: snorkeling in a cage

Information to remember about the various extra activities:

• Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Some activities are forbidden to children under 3 years old and to pregnant women (diving, boat trip).
• Guests must arrive before the scheduled time for these attractions:
  • Shark Encounter (caged): 60 minutes before scheduled time,
  • Shark Trainer Encounter: 15 minutes prior,
  • King Croc Encounter: 30 minutes prior,
  • Ray Encounter and Otter Encounter: 15 minutes prior.
• Guests must be able to walk up and down the stairs to access the area where the activity is taking place.

• Participants must be in good general health and physical condition when a dive is scheduled.No swimming is required when the activity can be done while kneeling or standing (Shark Trainer Encounter, Ray et Otter Encounter).
• You must bring with you a valid ID and your diving certificate if required.
• An instructor and a divemaster supervise each dive and assist you throughout the underwater experience.
• A medical questionnaire is required for non-certified divers. It can be downloaded from theofficial website.
• Non-certified divers and even those who cannot swim can enjoy scuba diving by taking a short course with Dubai Aquarium's partner, "Al Boom Diving".
• Reservations are required for the dives. Equipment is provided.

The price is the same for adults and children, there is no distinction.

COMBO TICKETS, A GOOD DEAL?

As I told you above, combo (=combined) tickets remain a good deal. In particular the combo ticket "Burj Khalifa / Dubai Aquarium", especially since the visit of the "Burj Khalifa" is a must during a visit in Dubai, and it is right next to the Dubai Mall!

This combo ticket will allow you to save a lot of money (at least $23) because its price is cheaper than if you bought both tickets separately!

A tip: do the aquarium in the morning and go to the "Burj Khalifa" in the afternoon. You will be able to watch the sunset over the desert. It is sublime!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

At the exit of the underwater zoo, there is a souvenir store, the "Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo Gifts & Souvenir Store". There you can buy gifts, t-shirts and all kinds of items.

You can take pictures and videos inside the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo. Be careful though: in some exhibits, flash is not allowed. Indeed, it can harm the health and safety of the animals. So mind the instructions given along the way!