All About Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo: Know It Before Your Solo Trip to Dubai
Dubai is one dreamy desert country that has turned into the most popular travel destination. Not to forget that it is the land of several beautiful man-made wonders too. Everything about Dubai is so awe-inspiring that when you visit the country, you do not feel like coming back home.
Dubai is one of the many countries that does not disappoint its visitors. Be it having a fun day at Burj Khalifa, trying out different adventures in the country, shopping at the biggest mall ever, or just lazing around at the beaches- it gives its visitors so much to remember!
The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, one of the many man-made wonders of the country, is a popular tourist attraction in Dubai. There is so much to explore in this marine world that even one day may seem less. This is why I am here to help you out with everything you need to know about this beauty.
Decoding the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo consist of three main sections.
- The Aquarium Tank
- The Aquarium Tunnel
- The Underwater Zoo
The Aquarium Tank
The Aquarium Tank of the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is one of the largest suspended tanks in the world. It has a capacity of 10 million litres and houses approximately 140 different marine species, including sharks, myriads, and rays, among other interesting aquatic animals. You will also find Sand Tiger Sharks here, which are extremely rare. The visitors can view the Aquarium Tank from the mall without having to pay a single penny!
The Aquarium Tunnel
The Aquarium Tunnel is 48 metres long, and you can easily find it on the ground floor of the Dubai Mall. It offers you a 270-degree view of the aquarium. Now, this is a perfect way to witness and capture marina life through your camera lens.
The Underwater Zoo
The Underwater Zoo is two levels above the Aquarium Tank. It has three ecological zones for different creatures: the Living Ocean, Rainforest, and Rocky Shore. Forty display tanks will allow you to witness the magic of aquatic creatures that live in the oceans and on the shores! Some of the fascinating creatures you will see in the Underwater Zoo are African Dwarf Crocodile, Sea Horses, Humboldt Penguins, Giant Spider Crabs, Water Rats, Otters, Cichlids, and Lionfish.
Meet the King Croc
One of the most interesting creatures I saw was the 5.1 meters long Australian Saltwater Lake Crocodile. The reptile has been named King Croc. It weighs 750 kgs and is approximately 40 years old. The moment I saw the King Croc, it sent shivers down my spine!
I would highly recommend visiting the Underwater Zoo to see this magnificent creature and click some pictures. Believe me, this might even turn out to be the highlight of your visit to the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo as well.
Discover the United Arab Emirate’s Night Creatures
You will also witness a wide range of exotic night creatures found in the desert environment. Some of the creatures that I saw are Veiled Chameleons, Giant Camel Spiders, Arabian Toads, Scorpions, and Fruit Bats.
Before visiting the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, I had not even heard of these creatures, let alone see them. All in all, this experience turned out to be an educational one for me.
Here are some things you need to know before adding the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo to your itinerary.
The easiest way to reach Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
It is inside one of the most popular malls of Dubai – the Dubai Mall. Reaching the Dubai Mall is pretty easy. You can book a cab from your hotel or use public transportation.
I would suggest you take the metro from wherever your hotel is. The Red Line Metro connects all major stations to the Dubai Mall Station. From the station, you can take a local bus to the mall.
The location of Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo inside the mall
On the ground floor of the mall, you will find the Dubai Aquarium. The Underwater Zoo is on level 2 or second floor.
The opening hours of Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
It opens every day of the week at 10 AM in the morning and closes at midnight around 12 AM. I would say this is plenty of time to explore the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. You can easily spend an entire day at Dubai Mall and explore other things as well.
The ticket prices at Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
For the experience you get to witness, I would say the ticket prices are quite reasonable. The basic ticket price is AED 120 per head. This includes the Aquarium Tunnel and Underwater Zoo.
If you want an enhanced experience which includes Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, the ticket will cost you AED 175. For other premium options that allow you to explore everything that the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo have to offer, you can opt for the VIP experience ticket.
The best time to visit Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
Although it remains open throughout the year, the best time to visit Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo would be during the colder months of the year, i.e., November to February. The only reason behind this is the pleasant weather. And you also get to try out other activities during these months. The crowd thickens during the peak hours between 5-6 PM. To avoid the crowds, you can visit Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo in the morning or later in the evening around 7 PM.
Now, let’s dive into some of the aquatic experiences that you can explore at the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo!
Things to do at Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
1. Feeding the Sharks
Although it may seem scary, it is one of the most thrilling and exciting things to do at the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. This will give you a personal and up-close experience with these fascinating creatures.
While the divers attract the sharks with buckets of fish, you can stay in your safety cage and witness these magnificent creatures from up-close. The distance between you and the sharks will be a few centimetres, which is as real as it can get.
2. Snorkel in a cage
You might have snorkelled in the sea, but have you ever done it in a cage? Well, now is your chance. The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo offer its visitors a huge tank with different marine species and creatures to snorkel in. It is a unique activity to try out in an aquarium, and I would recommend you definitely go for it!
3. Dive with the sharks
If you have a strong heart and love adrenaline-pumping activities, then this aquatic experience is for you! The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo have a 10 million litre water tank that houses more than 300 razor-toothed Sand Tiger Sharks. With proper safety measures, you can dive in with the sharks and tell your friends and family all about this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
4. Scuba diving
Are you a water baby? Has scuba diving always been on your bucket list, but you never got the chance to do it? Well, the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo provides its visitors to fulfil their dreams of scuba diving. Not just that, if you are a beginner, the PADI Open Water Certification Course is a perfect opportunity for you to become a certified scuba diver as well.
During my solo trip to Dubai, I got a scuba diving certification from the expert divers at the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. I was a little scared to get inside the tank initially. But once I got my head into doing it wholeheartedly, it turned out to be quite smooth! Also, the expert divers are very friendly. I don’t think I would have gotten the certification for scuba diving from any other place. I would suggest you get the certification too and make your solo trip to the country a memorable one.
5. VRZoo Experience
VRZoo is a virtual reality game that allows you to immerse yourself in the wild world with some of the most exotic creatures from different parts of the world. You can join the elephants in South Africa’s Savannah Lands, swim with the whale sharks in the Maldives, or meet the gorillas in the thick forests of Uganda, all the while sitting inside a mall in Dubai! Quite interesting, right? The VRZoo Experience is quite relaxing while being equally fun as well.
6. Boat Rides at the Glass Bottom
You can enjoy the panoramic view of the 10 million litre Aquarium Tank that houses some of the most interesting marine creatures in a glass-bottom boat. It is a fun experience that allows you to view marine life from a different perspective.
Other touristy spots to not miss besides the Dubai Mall
Now that you know everything you need to know about the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo let’s look at other tourist attractions you can check out outside the mall.
1. Burj Khalifa
Well, this one goes without saying. Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world and one of the major attractions in Dubai. The Great Mosque of Samarra has influenced its construction and designs. And the views from the top floor of Burj Khalifa are absolutely breathtaking! If you have the budget for it, I would highly recommend you buy the ticket and witness the magic from up above!
2. Dubai Fountain
Developed on a 30-acre area of Burj Khalifa Lake, the Dubai Fountain is one of the most beautiful fountains in the world. It consists of 50 coloured projectors and 6,600 lights that conduct light and sound performances. I would suggest you check out the Dubai Fountain to spend a perfect evening admiring its beauty.
3. Ski Dubai
Considering the hot and humid temperatures of Dubai, you might not expect to ski in this country. But Dubai knows how to give its visitors the best of best. Ski Dubai is an indoor ski resort that is equivalent to the height of 25 storeyed buildings. It consists of a skiing area that is spread across an area of 22,500 square meters. Among these, 3,000 square meters feature a snow play area!
Things to remember
Lastly, I have some tips for you to help you out with your experience at the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo.
- Don’t forget to carry your camera with you to the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Photography is allowed inside. However, it may be restricted in some areas as not to harm or alarm the animals with the camera flash.
- Try to buy your tickets well in advance to avoid paying a higher price. Also, buying the tickets online is much cheaper. You can get some discounts and deals depending on the time you purchase the tickets.
- If you opt to do some aquatic activity such as shark diving or cage snorkelling, you have to be present at the location 10 to 30 minutes well in advance.
- For tourists, it is mandatory to carry a valid ID before entering the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo.
- The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is huge, and chances are you might end up spending most of your day here. Although there are restaurants and cafes inside the mall that serve lip-smacking dishes, I would recommend you carry a water bottle and some snacks with you. Trust me, it saves a lot of money!
The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is a whole experience in itself. Watching the exotic marine life is kind of therapeutic, I would say. You wouldn’t be disappointed with your decision to include this place in your itinerary. If you find out other interesting things to do at Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo on your visit to the country, do let me know in the comments section below.
I hope you have a great time with these magnificent creatures in this magical place. Cheers!!