The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is a large attraction at the centre of the Dubai Mall.
It comprises a large aquarium tank measuring 51 metres long, 20 metres deep and 11 metres high plus an underwater zoo with a variety of marine species in various habitats.
The aquarium is home over 30,000 aquatic animals including over 400 sharks and rays. They can be viewed for free from the mall through the world’s largest acrylic panel.
Visitors purchasing a ticket enjoy a 270 degree view through the 48 metre long aquarium tunnel. It’s possible to get right up to the glass for a closer look at the fish (visitors looking from the mall have to stand a few metres away behind a barrier).
Tickets also allow entry to the Underwater Zoo on Level 2. There are around 40 displays here housing creatures such as piranha, penguins, crocodiles, lizards, snakes, otters, and giant eels.
One fascinating species here is the archerfish. These small fish feed by shooting jets of water at insects to knock them into the water. Visitors to the zoo can witness how remarkably accurate they are at hitting their prey.
King Croc is one of the main attractions. The 40 year old saltwater crocodile arrived here from Australia in 2014. Weighing over 750 kg and over 5 metres long, he is one of the largest reptiles in captivity. Feeding time is a sight worth watching.
Visitors can stay at the attraction for as long as they want, but the average person spends around 20 minutes in the aquarium and 1 hour in the zoo.
Frequent visitors can purchase an annual membership card and enjoy exclusive privileges. Benefits include unlimited entry to the aquarium and zoo, unlimited glass-bottom boat rides, 15% discount on admission charges for accompanying family members and friends, 15% discount on items for sale in the gift shop, plus discounts on shark dives, cage snorkelling, and PADI courses and dive trips with Al Boom Diving.
The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is open 7 days a week. Opening times are 10 am to midnight. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing time.
The entrance to the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is located on the Ground Level of the Dubai Mall.
The Rainforest Café is next to the mall and is a great place to take kids for a meal. The themed café features life-sized models of animals such as giraffe, gorilla, crocodile, and snake hidden amongst a recreation of a rainforest. Patrons also enjoy great views of the aquarium tank. Items on the menu include soups and salads, sandwiches and burgers, pasta, plus fish, beef, and chicken dishes.
The aquarium was good but I felt the zoo part could have been a little bit bigger and better.
The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo unveiled its latest additions today. King Croc and his female companion now reside in a special enclosure that’s been designed to replicate their natural habitat. The 5m long crocodile was brought to Dubai from a crocodile farm in Australia.
I think the entrance price was too given the fact that you can see most of aquarium from the shopping mall outside.
Finding an aquarium and zoo in a shopping mall was quite a surprise. But then again, this is Dubai. It takes about an hour to see everything. The price adds up if you’re with your family. The view from the mall is pretty good and FREE.