Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo sits on the ground floor of Dubai Mall, right in the heart of Downtown Dubai. It holds a 10-million-litre tank with over 33,000 aquatic animals across 140+ species, making it one of the largest suspended aquariums in the world. The Dubai Mall Aquarium also holds a Guinness World Record for the largest acrylic viewing panel, which you can see for free from the mall's ground floor.
In this guide, you'll read more about what's inside each zone, the full list of animal encounters and dive experiences, how Dubai Aquarium tickets are priced, current timings, how to get there, and what to do nearby after your visit.
What Is Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo?
The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is located inside Dubai Mall, one of the world's most visited shopping destinations. The Aquarium Tunnel sits on the Ground Floor (Level 0), and the Underwater Zoo is on Level 2 directly above it.
The tank holds 10 million litres of water and is home to over 33,000 aquatic animals across 140+ species. It holds a Guinness World Record for the world's largest acrylic viewing panel, measuring 32.88 metres wide. This panel faces the mall's ground floor, so you can see the tank at no cost.
As a WAZA member, the facility follows international standards for animal welfare and conservation. This underwater aquarium in Dubai is open 365 days a year.
What's Inside: Zones and Sections
Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is split across two levels, each offering a different kind of experience.
The Aquarium Tunnel
The Aquarium Tunnel is the main entry point, located on the Ground Floor. It is a 48-metre walk-through tunnel with a 270-degree acrylic surround, sharks, rays, and schools of fish move around and above you as you walk through.
Plan around 15 to 30 minutes here. You will also see professional divers in the tank during feeding presentations. This is the headline section of the Dubai Mall Aquarium, and it sets the tone for the rest of the visit.
The Underwater Zoo
The Underwater Zoo is on Level 2 and covers 40+ species across three themed ecosystems. Each zone is designed to replicate a real-world habitat.
Plan around 45 minutes to 1.5 hours here. The underwater aquarium Dubai experience at this level is more varied and interactive than the tunnel below.
Three zones:
- Rainforest: Piranhas, otters, turtles, and freshwater species
- Rocky Shore: King Croc (over 5 metres long, 750 kg), penguins, and crabs
- Living Ocean: Seahorses, rays, reef sharks, and UAE Night Creatures
Zone | Location | Time Needed | Highlight Animal |
Aquarium Tunnel | Ground Floor (Level 0) | 15-30 mins | Sand Tiger Sharks |
Rainforest | Level 2, Underwater Zoo | 15-20 mins | Asian Otters |
Rocky Shore | Level 2, Underwater Zoo | 15-20 mins | King Croc (750 kg) |
Living Ocean | Level 2, Underwater Zoo | 15-20 mins | UAE Night Creatures |
Animal Encounters and Add-On Experiences
Beyond the standard walk-through, Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo offers a range of paid encounters you can book in advance. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult (15 years or above) for all experiences.
Encounter | What You Do | Duration | Min Age |
Penguin Encounter | Spend time with Gentoo penguins in a cold-zone habitat | 20 mins | 5 years |
King Croc Encounter | Watch King Jock and Queen Missy from an elevated gallery above their pool | 30 mins | 5 years |
Otter Encounter | Stand by the enclosure and watch Asian small-clawed otters interact with keepers | 20 mins | 5 years |
Ray Encounter | Hand-feed Eagle Rays and Cow-nose Rays from a dedicated platform, no swimming needed | 20 mins | 5 years |
Shark Trainer Encounter | Walk through shallow water with bamboo and leopard sharks, no swimming required | 30 mins | 5 years |
Glass-Bottom Boat Ride | Ride above the tank in a glass-hulled boat for overhead views of the marine life | 15-20 mins | 2 years |
Book encounters in advance at the official site or at the Level 2 counter. Slots fill up quickly on weekends.
Diving Experiences at Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
For those who want to go further, Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo has three main dive options inside the 10-million-litre tank. Each requires advance booking.
Experience | Skill Level | Duration |
Shark Walker Cage | No swimming skills needed, oxygenated helmet walk on the tank floor | 30 mins |
Cage Snorkelling | No dive certification needed, minimum height 140 cm | 30 mins |
Shark Dives | Certified divers only, open water alongside Sand Tiger Sharks | 45-60 mins |
Tip: The daily King Croc feeding takes place at 4:00 PM. Arrive at least 15 minutes early for the best viewing position.
Dubai Aquarium Tickets: Options and Prices
Dubai Aquarium tickets come in several tiers, so you only pay for what you actually want to do. Children under 2 years old enter free. All visitors aged 2 and above need a ticket.
Book online through the official Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo website for the most accurate pricing. Third-party platforms like Klook and Headout often list Dubai Aquarium tickets at 10–20% below the counter price, always compare before you buy.
Pass | What's Included | Price (AED approx.) |
Silver Pass | Aquarium Tunnel + Underwater Zoo | From AED 140 |
Gold Pass | Tunnel + Zoo + Glass-Bottom Boat + Fish Feeding + Penguin Cove | From AED 269 |
Ultimate Experience | All Gold inclusions + 30% off one animal encounter + café and shop vouchers | Higher tier |
Annual Pass | Unlimited access all year + free first animal encounter + discounts | Available online |
Prices can vary by date and platform. Always check the official site for current rates before booking.
Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo Timings
The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo timings from the official site (as of July 2026) are:
Day | Opening Hours | Last Entry | Best For |
Monday - Thursday | 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM | 8:15 PM | Quieter weekday visits |
Friday - Sunday | 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM | 8:15 PM | Full-day visit with Dubai Mall |
Best time to go: Friday to Sunday mornings at opening time for fewer queues. If you are combining the visit with outdoor activities like the Dubai Fountain or Burj Khalifa, plan the aquarium first and head out in the evening. November to March is the best period for pairing indoor and outdoor activities in Dubai.
How to Get to Dubai Mall Aquarium
The Dubai Mall Aquarium entrance is on the Ground Floor (Level 0) of Dubai Mall, near the waterfront entrance facing Burj Lake.
- By Metro: Take the Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station. The air-conditioned Metro Link Bridge connects directly to Level 2 of Dubai Mall, take the escalators or lift down to Ground Floor.
- By Bus: Routes 27, 28, 29, 30, 50, and 81 stop near Dubai Mall. Buses arrive at the tourist drop-off area on the Lower Ground Floor.
- By Car: Dubai Mall has over 14,000 parking spots. Parking is free for up to 4 hours on weekdays and 6 hours on weekends with retailer validation. Follow signs for the Grand Entrance or Fountain Entrance for the closest access to the aquarium.
What to Do After Your Visit?
You are already inside Dubai Mall after your Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo visit, so the next steps are easy.
Walk 10 minutes to the Burj Khalifa entrance, book a sunset slot in advance if you haven't already. In the evening, head to the Dubai Fountain promenade for the free water show that runs every 30 minutes from 6:00 PM. For dinner, cross the pedestrian bridge to Souk Al Bahar, where outdoor terrace restaurants face the fountain directly.
Booking a combo ticket for the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo together saves money and works across two separate days since tickets are open-dated.
