UAE Dubai Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo Entry Tickets

The quietest times are weekday mornings between 10:00 and 12:00, particularly Tuesday through Thursday, when the tunnel is least crowded and lighting in the acrylic panels is most atmospheric for photography. Late weekday evenings after 20:00 offer a second quieter window. Thursday through Saturday evenings are the busiest periods as The Dubai Mall is at its most crowded. The aquarium is open until 23:00 on weekdays and midnight on weekends.

The Dubai Aquarium holds a Guinness World Record for the largest acrylic panel in the world, the massive viewing panel that forms the face of the main 10-million-litre tank. The aquarium also houses the world's largest collection of Sand Tiger Sharks, with over 400 sharks and rays including Sand Tiger, Reef, Leopard, and Tawny Nurse Sharks. Both records underline the genuinely world-class scale of the facility.

The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is a world-class marine attraction inside The Dubai Mall in Downtown Dubai. Its centrepiece is a 10-million-litre main tank housing the world's largest collection of Sand Tiger Sharks, viewed through a 48-metre walkthrough tunnel with 270-degree immersive acrylic panel views. The Underwater Zoo on Level 2 adds 33,000 aquatic animals across 140 species in three themed ecological zones.

Yes, the Dubai Aquarium is one of the best family attractions in Dubai and is fully air-conditioned year-round making it comfortable in any season. Children aged 2 and under enter free. The walkthrough tunnel consistently captivates young visitors with the immediacy of sharks and rays swimming directly overhead. The Penguin Cove, otter family, and Rainforest Zone with its reptiles and freshwater species are particularly engaging for younger visitors. Photography is permitted throughout all public areas.

The Dubai Aquarium is located inside The Dubai Mall on the ground and first floors, accessible at 1 Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai. The nearest Dubai Metro station is Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall on the Red Line, connected to the mall via an air-conditioned pedestrian bridge. By car, Dubai Mall parking is available across multiple levels. Taxis and ride-hailing services drop off at the mall's multiple entrances.

The Dubai Aquarium offers a wide range of animal encounters available as add-ons. Options include the Penguin Encounter, King Croc Encounter, Otter Encounter, Ray Encounter, Birds Encounter, Reptile Encounter, Sloth Encounter, and Shark Trainer Encounter. Premium marine experiences include Shark Dives, Cage Snorkelling, the Shark Walker Cage, Discover Scuba Diving, Specialty Dives, and the Mermaids of Arabia live performance. All encounters must be booked in advance.

The Day Pass provides standard access to the aquarium tunnel, the Underwater Zoo across all three ecological zones, and Penguin Cove. The Explorer ticket includes everything in the Day Pass plus a glass-bottom boat tour over the main tank, a submersible simulator ride, a back-of-house tour, discounts on animal encounters, and a dining voucher. For most visitors the Explorer ticket represents significantly better value and is the recommended option.

Allow approximately 2 to 3 hours for a comprehensive visit covering the main aquarium tunnel, the full Underwater Zoo across all three ecological zones, and Penguin Cove. Adding the glass-bottom boat tour included in the Explorer ticket requires an additional 20 to 30 minutes. Visitors who book animal encounters or diving experiences should allow additional time. The location inside The Dubai Mall allows visitors to combine the aquarium with shopping and dining before or after.