Skip to content

What visitor facilities are there at the National Aquarium Abu Dhabi?

  • by

Explore an underwater world that is brimming alive at National Aquarium, Abu Dhabi. It was opened in November 2021. it is the National Aquarium houses over 46,000 marine animals which makes it the biggest aquarium within the Middle East (for now!)

Its captivating thematic displays along with interactive technology and many immersive experiences visiting National Aquarium is a must. National Aquarium should be high in the top of your Abu Dhabi ‘to-do list’ especially if traveling with family members.

What can you be expecting at the National Aquarium? National Aquarium

The aquarium is situated within located in the Al Qana development, Abu Dhabi in the Al Qana development, Abu Dhabi. The National Aquarium is a magnificent structure situated on the site’s southern side which is clearly accessible at Khaleej Al Arabi Street. The aquarium is divided into several zones you go through while on your sea journey. Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect to discover within each.

UAE Natural Treasures

The first area of the National Aquarium is ‘UAE National Treasures’. Visitors enter the area via the walkway which is above an area that is populated by rehabilitationally-rehabilitated sea turtles. All the turtles in the exhibit belong to the rehabilitation program for the aquarium, that highlights the crucial conservation function played by National Aquarium.

A Wreck from the Red Sea

The other exhibit is “Red Sea Wreck”. The room is designed an underwater sunken vessel with huge holes in the walls of the ship through which the biggest coral reef display within the Middle East can be viewed. The tanks are filled with a stunning collection of vibrant corals as well as massive and stern-looking grouperfish.

The Atlantic Cave

This is where you can explore the depths of the ocean through the cave of stalactites. There you will discover the horseshoe crab from prehistoric times one of the oldest living creatures that exist on earth.

The Sub

When you are hearing the radar ping and you are able to enter an underwater submersible to see enormous lobsters, as well as the mysterious Nautilus.

Ring of Fire Ring of Fire

Many interactive exhibits in this themed area of the Pacific teach visitors about the development of islands and marine volcanic environments.

Ocean Magic

The exhibits focus on exotic marine creatures, like intricate Sea Dragons and mesmerising jellyfish. The manner in which the exhibits are presented is quite unique and includes an traditional British telephone box as well as a Volkswagen Beetle having been transformed into aquariums of fish.

The Frozen Ocean

When the temperature dips, you are in a region that is populated with creatures that hail from cooler climates. The most popular exhibit is the only Middle East exhibition of puffins. It is possible to get close and personal by peeking at the transparent domes beneath their natural habitat, or participate in animal encounters at 180 AED.

Visit aquariumabudhabi.com for National Aquarium Abu Dhabi tickets.

The Flooded Forest

Beware! Piranhas, Poison Dart Frogs as well as Bird-Eating spiders along with the Electric Eel all inhabit this area. The good news is that they’re kept away from humans in closed enclosures, not like the many tropical birds that roam freely through the exhibit. This zone also features Bella and Rio’s play area which is an interactive area specially designed for children.

Bu Tinah Island

After leaving the forest that is flooded and enter an enormous exposition space that has shallow pools, and then into the longest glass tunnel walkthrough within the Middle East. Zebra sharks, mantarays and the hammerhead sharks are spotted all around you as you walk through their abyssal world.

Behind-the-scenes tours of the National Aquarium

In addition to the areas that are mentioned above, there’s an option to pay an extra fee and enjoy a behind the scenes tour. Guides are helpful and friendly and behind-the-scenes tours are worth the extra cost.

In the course of guided tours, visitors will go to the hospital for animals and other locations behind the scenes. Visitors will be given a thorough explanation of the rescue of an Whale Shark that had entered the canal system in one of Abu Dhabi’s residential areas as well as a visit to the turtles at the rehabilitation center of the aquarium.

In exchange for a small cost visitors can feed the fish via the glass bridge that crosses the tank , which is above the tunnel that leads to the walkthrough.

The National Aquarium offers Animal Encounters in the National Aquarium

The National Aquarium offers three ‘Animal Encounters. They include the Jungle Encounter includes swimming with freshwater rays. While the Arctic Encounter involves feeding the puffins. There is also the option of feeding sharks at the Ocean Encounter.

Each visit cost 180 AED that gives you acces to National Aquarium.

Learning opportunities in depth are available at the National Aquarium

Education in the house is the main priority. The National Aquarium can accommodate up to 50,000 students. be invited to the museum every year for school trips in the Junior Marine Biologist program.

After-school Marine Biologist programme is designed for children between 5 and 15 years old. It offers many hands-on and interactive activities.

Plan your excursion towards Abu Dhabi’s National Aquarium, Abu Dhabi

To make maximum enjoyment from your visit to Abu Dhabi’s newest family-friendly attraction launch, check out important tips to plan your trip:
How do I get to the National Aquarium

The National Aquarium is located in the brand-new Al Qana development in the Khor Al Maqta area of the city. The most efficient way to reach the aquarium is to take a taxi or private vehicle. There is plenty of parking in the vicinity.

National Aquarium National Aquarium is also located near The Rabdan Khaleej al Arabi Street Interchange. It is accessible with bus 56, which is located in Downtown Abu Dhabi.

What’s the price of it cost to visit the National Aquarium Abu Dhabi cost?

The tickets are mandatory for customers aged 3 and over.

105 AED General Admission (10 zones)
130 AED beyond The Glass (General Admission plus Aquarium experience, behind-the-scenes tour, and the glass bridge)
150 AED for Bu Tinah Dhow (General Admission plus Aquarium journey with glass-bottom boat tours and feeding of fish)
200AED All Access (General Admission Aquarium Journey Behind-the-scenes tours the glass bridge, glass-bottom boat cruise and feeding of fish)

There are different animal encounters that are separate These tickets are included in your General Admission tickets:

180 AED Arctic Recon
180 AED Ocean View

The annual passes can be purchased for $399.

Please note that children who are under 12 years old must be in the presence of an adult.

National Aquarium Timings

Open seven days a semaine 10 am to 10:30 pm

How long do I have to be with National Aquarium? National Aquarium?

If you are planning to explore the general areas that are accessible to the aquarium, it can be completed in less than two hours. The tour behind the scenes takes around 30 minutes. There is also time for cruises on dhows and the animal experiences.

If you’re planning to visit during the peak times or during a holiday, it is recommended to take extra time to plan your visit since lines for behind-the-scenes tours as well as animal encounters are likely.

What visitor amenities are available in National Aquarium? National Aquarium?

The National Aquarium is well-designed with restrooms on every level. Like the majority of tourist attractions, you leave through an e-shop, which offers various marine-related merchandise in addition to more general souvenirs that are themed around Abu Dhabi.

There’s also a tiny cafe that sells basic snacks located on the first level in the National Aquarium. The little marine explorers are bound to be enthralled by shortbread biscuits that look like whales!

The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers all throughout.

What else can you expect from Al Qana? Al Qana project?

Al Qana can be described as a concept for living with wellness and socializing at the heart of its. The development spans 2.4 kilometers across the shoreline, it is home to a wide range of luxurious restaurants and cafes as well as a huge gym-cum-wellness center. The development also has an upscale cinema as well as a gaming shop.