Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is a must-visit if you are holidaying in Dubai, especially traveling with kids.
The Aquarium consists of a massive tank measuring 51 meters (161 feet) long, 20 meters (66 feet) deep, and 11 meters (36 feet) high, and it can hold 10 million liters of water.
The Underwater Zoo showcases various marine species in their natural habitats, a massive hit with both kids and adults.
This article covers everything you must know before booking tickets for Dubai Aquarium.
Top Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo Tickets
# Cheapest Dubai Aquarium ticket
# Dubai Aquarium ‘Explorer’ ticket
# Burj Khalifa and Dubai Aquarium
Table of contents
- What to expect at Dubai Aquarium
- Where to book tickets
- How do online tickets work
- Dubai Aquarium ticket prices
- Dubai Aquarium tickets
- Dubai Aquarium ‘Explorer’ ticket
- Dubai Aquarium combo tickets
- How to reach Dubai Aquarium
- Operating hours of Dubai Aquarium
- How long does the tour take
- Best time to visit the Dubai Aquarium
- Animals at Dubai Mall Aquarium
- Dubai Aquarium vs Lost Chambers Atlantis
What to expect at Dubai Aquarium
Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo in the Dubai Mall is one of the largest suspended aquarium tanks in the world.
It holds millions of liters of water and is home to thousands of aquatic animals, including over 140 species of sea life.
A 48-meter walkthrough tunnel provides 270-degree views of the tank, allowing you to experience sea life swimming all around you.
It houses a variety of aquatic creatures like penguins, crocodiles, piranhas, giant spider crabs, water rats, sea otters, and more.
The aquarium provides educational presentations about the aquatic life and conservation efforts. It’s a great place to learn about marine ecosystems and their importance.
Visitors can choose from two types of Dubai Aquarium experience – the basic Dubai Aquarium Day Ticket, the cheapest and most popular, and the Explorer ticket, which offers a premium experience.
Where to book tickets
Tickets for the Dubai Aquarium can be purchased online or in person at the attraction.
Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the venue.
When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the attraction’s ticket counters.
When you book early, you also get your preferred time slot.
Because some attractions sell a limited number of tickets, during peak days they may sell out.
Booking early helps avoid last-minute disappointments.
How do online tickets work
Visit the Dubai Aquarium ticket booking page, select your preferred date and number of tickets, and buy the tickets right away.
Once you purchase Dubai Aquarium tickets, they get delivered to your email address.
There is no need to get printouts of the ticket.
You can show the e-ticket on your smartphone when you visit the attraction.
Dubai Aquarium ticket prices
Tickets for Dubai Aquarium are priced at AED 150 ($41) for all visitors aged two and above.
Infants below two can enter for free.
Dubai Aquarium Explorer tickets are priced at AED 199 ($54) for all visitors aged two and above.
Infants below two are not permitted.
Dubai Aquarium tickets
There are two kinds of Dubai Aquarium tickets – the basic tickets and the Explorer tickets.
This is the most popular Dubai Aquarium ticket and gives you access to the Aquarium Tunnel, Underwater Zoo, Behind-the-scenes tour, and Underwater Observatory for one whole day.
This ticket also gives access to ‘Study the Sea Jelly Lab’ and the area where scientists re-create environmental changes to encourage breeding.
The submersible simulator and glass-bottom boat tour are two experiences not part of this ticket.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (2+ years): AED 153 ($41)
Child Ticket (below 2 years): Free Entry
Dubai Aquarium ‘Explorer’ ticket
If you are traveling with kids and have lots of time, we recommend you purchase the Dubai Aquarium ‘Explorer’ ticket.
This ticket gives you access to the following activities at Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo:
– Aquarium Tunnel
– Underwater Zoo
– Discovery Channel Shark Week exhibit
– Submersible Simulator
– Glass-bottom boat tour
– Back of the House tour
– Underwater Observatory (VRZOO)
Ticket Cost (2+ years): AED 199 ($54)
Dubai Aquarium combo tickets
Combo tickets are a great way to add another attraction for the day at a discounted price.
Combo tickets offer a fantastic opportunity to avail discounts.
You can buy the Dubai Aquarium in combination with tickets for Burj Khalifa, and Aquaventure Waterpark.
Combo tickets are ideal for large families, groups, or those on a budget holiday.
Burj Khalifa and Dubai Aquarium
Distance: 1.2 km approx (0.74 miles)
Time Taken: five minutes by car
Burj Khalifa is the World’s highest building and has three of the World’s highest observatories.
Since Burj Khalifa and Dubai Aquarium are nearby, tourists visit them on the same day.
The Metro Link Bridge, which connects Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Aquarium, makes moving from one attraction to another easy.
This air-conditioned glass tunnel travellator link also offers fantastic views of Dubai.
The Burj Khalifa and Dubai Aquarium ticket combination is quite popular with visitors.
This combo ticket allows one entry to both attractions on a single day.
Like all combo tickets, it also helps you reduce your ticket costs by 15 to 20%.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (12+ years): 225 AED ($61)
Child Ticket (4 to 11 years): 221 AED ($60)
Dubai Aquarium and Aquaventure Waterpark
Distance: 25.5 km approx (15.8 miles)
Time Taken: 29 minutes by car
If you want to save money, check out this Dubai Aquarium and Aquaventure Waterpark bundle, which helps save around 10% of the ticket costs.
The two attractions are 20 minutes apart by car, but we don’t recommend you visit them both on the same day.
Ticket Cost: 423 AED ($115)
How to reach Dubai Aquarium
The Dubai Aquarium is located within the Dubai Mall and is spread over two floors – ground level and level 2.
The ground floor has the Aquarium, while Level 2 has the Underwater Zoo.
The entrance to the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is on the ground floor of the Mall.
Address: The Dubai Mall, Doha Street, Off 1st Interchange – Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, U.A.E. Get Directions
By Dubai Metro
Burj Khalifa/The Dubai Mall Station is the nearest Metro station to Dubai Mall.
Once you get down at the station, you can take one of the feeder buses or walk to the Mall using the Metro Link Bridge.
Metro Link Bridge is a glass tunnel travellator link between Burj Khalifa/The Dubai Mall Station and The Dubai Mall and is entirely temperature controlled.
By Bus
You can also take bus number 27 from the Deira Gold Souk station or bus number 29 from Ghubaiba bus station to reach the Dubai Mall.
The bus will drop you in front of the lower ground floor of The Dubai Mall.
After that, you take a lift to the ground floor and reach the Dubai Aquarium.
By Car
If you’re traveling by car, turn on your Google Maps and get started.
Parking is easy because Dubai Mall has around 14,000 covered parking spaces.
Operating hours of Dubai Aquarium
From Sunday to Wednesday, Dubai Aquarium opens at 10 am and closes at 10 pm.
From Thursday to Saturday, the weekend in the Middle East, Dubai Aquarium opens at 10 am and closes at midnight.
The last entry is 30 minutes before closing.
How long does the tour take
A complete visit to the Dubai Aquarium takes around two to three hours.
You need around 30 minutes to explore the Aquarium Tunnel, approximately 90 minutes to see everything at the Underwater Zoo, and then 20 minutes for the Glass Boat Ride.
There is no time limit on a Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo ticket.
Once inside, you can stay for as long as you want.
Best time to visit the Dubai Aquarium
The best time to visit the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is at 10 am when it opens.
Late evenings can also be a quieter time, especially on weekdays. Since the aquarium is open until midnight, visiting during these later hours can be advantageous.
Weekdays are less crowded compared to weekends. Visiting on a weekday can provide a more peaceful experience.
Animals at Dubai Mall Aquarium
The Dubai Aquarium showcases around 140 species of marine animals.
It has around a thousand aquatic animals, from 300 sharks and rays to many otters and crocodiles.
The Dubai Aquarium also has the largest Sand Tiger sharks in the World.
On level 2 of The Dubai Mall Aquarium, you get to see aquatic beings such as Humbolt Penguins, Otters, Archerfish, Lionfish, Piranha, African Dwarf Crocodiles, Seahorses, Arapaima, Giant Spider Crabs, Garden Eels, Water Rats and Nautilus.
Dubai Aquarium vs Lost Chambers Atlantis
Did you know that Dubai has one more fantastic marine experience called Lost Chambers Aquarium?
It is also known as Lost Chambers Atlantis.
What is Lost Chambers Atlantis?
The Lost Chambers Atlantis is a make-believe, mysterious ruins of an island lost for thousands of years underwater.
It has been built at Atlantis, the Palm hotel complex on the artificial archipelago of Palm Jumeirah.
At Lost Chambers Atlantis, you experience 65,000 marine animals as you find your way through this lost city’s underwater mazes and tunnels.
You can also explore 20 remarkable marine life exhibits, a touch tank, and a fantastic interactive Aqua-theatre show.
Lost Chambers Atlantis or Dubai Aquarium?
Tourists often confuse the two and wonder which ticket to buy – the Aquarium at the Dubai Mall or the Lost Chambers Aquarium at The Palms.
If you have the time and money is not a concern, we recommend you try out both experiences.
If you have to choose between the two –
If you’re going out on holiday with your family and kids, then Dubai Mall Aquarium is best for you.
Kids are more likely to enjoy the underwater boat rides, the shark feeding, and the aquarium tunnel.
If you want a guided tour and want to explore and discover the aquatic life of the varied marine species, you should head to the Lost Chambers Aquarium.
If you have kids older than 15 years, they are more likely to enjoy Lost Chambers Atlantis because it brings out the inner adventurer in them.
Lost Chambers Aquarium tickets
These tickets give you access to the Lost Chambers Aquarium and the Ambassador Lagoon.
You can also enjoy interactive aqua theatre shows, guided tours, marine life touch tanks, daily feeding shows, etc.
Ticket Cost (4+ years): AED 120 ($33)
If you prefer some water adventure as well, try out this Atlantis Aquaventure & Lost Chambers Aquarium Ticket
Sources
# Tripadvisor.com
# Thomascook.com
# Visitdubai.com
# Thedubaiaquarium.com
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