UAE Abu Dhabi The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi Entry Tickets

The National Geographic Pristine Seas Exhibition is a dedicated gallery within The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi presenting the conservation photography, underwater imagery, and scientific discoveries of National Geographic Society's Pristine Seas project, the organization's flagship ocean conservation initiative. The exhibition documents the world's last truly wild ocean places and the efforts to protect them, offering a powerful conservation message alongside the aquarium's broader marine life experience.

Premium add-on experiences include the Glass Bridge Walk (walking above the main tank on a transparent bridge), the Glass Bottom Boat tour of the Bu Tinah Dhow lagoon offering a view of marine life from below, the Behind the Scenes Wildlife Rescue Tour with expert staff, and multiple animal encounter programs covering reptiles, Arctic species, jungle wildlife, and ocean creatures. All premium experiences must be booked in advance as capacity is strictly limited.

The National Aquarium is located at Al Qana, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Rabdan Area, Abu Dhabi, adjacent to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. By bus, take Route 56 to the Al Maqta stop, a short walk from the aquarium. By car, free surface parking is available at the Al Qana complex for up to 1,400 vehicles. By taxi or Grab from central Abu Dhabi the journey takes approximately 10 to 20 minutes.

The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi is the largest aquarium in the Middle East, opened in November 2021 at the Al Qana waterfront complex in Abu Dhabi. Spanning over 9,000 square meters, it houses 46,000 animals across more than 300 species in 10 themed zones including the region's longest underwater tunnel, over 200 sharks and rays, a live 7-metre reticulated python, and the National Geographic Pristine Seas Exhibition.

The aquarium's headline residents include over 200 sharks and rays across 25 species (sand tiger, scalloped hammerhead, and zebra sharks among them), a live 7-metre reticulated python presented as the world's largest snake, critically endangered sea dragons, the Abu Dhabi dugong, puffins from the Arctic zone, and Abu Dhabi's Epaulette shark. The main underwater tunnel delivers 360-degree immersive views of multiple shark and ray species simultaneously.

The 10 zones are UAE's Natural Treasures, Red Sea Wreck, The Sub (deep ocean), Atlantic Cave, Aqua Magic, Ring of Fire (Pacific volcanic), The Flooded Forest (Amazon), Frozen Ocean (Arctic and Antarctic), Bu Tinah Island (UAE Biosphere Reserve), and the National Geographic Pristine Seas Exhibition. Each zone recreates a distinct aquatic ecosystem with authentic marine life representing that geographic region.

Allow a minimum of 2 hours for a comfortable self-guided walkthrough of all 10 zones. Visitors who participate in the Glass Bottom Boat tour, Glass Bridge Walk, or animal encounter experiences should allow 4 to 5 hours for a comprehensive visit. The aquarium is open until 22:00 daily, making it one of the most flexible evening activity options in Abu Dhabi regardless of outdoor temperatures.

Yes, The National Aquarium is an outstanding family destination. Children under 3 enter free. The interactive Aqua Magic zone with its whimsical environments including a Volkswagen car transformed into a fish tank and a telephone booth filled with colorful fish is particularly popular with younger visitors. The aquarium is fully wheelchair accessible and stroller-friendly throughout. The animal encounters with Arctic species and jungle wildlife are highly engaging for children aged 4 and above.