Understanding the Dubai aquarium and underwater zoo ticket price can help you budget for one of Dubai's most impressive attractions before you book your visit.
Dubai Mall houses this massive aquarium that holds 10 million liters of water and is home to 33,000 marine creatures. The collection includes sharks, rays and thousands of fish species. A 48-meter walk-through tunnel and multiple ecological zones draw approximately 5 million visitors annually.
This piece will walk you through everything you need to plan your visit to Dubai aquarium and underwater zoo. You'll find information on underwater zoo Dubai mall tickets, Dubai aquarium Dubai mall price options, Dubai aquarium tickets cost for different experiences, and Dubai aquarium and underwater zoo timings to help you make the most of your underwater adventure.
Essential Information: Tickets, Timings, and Location
Underwater zoo Dubai mall tickets and pricing
- Tickets are available online or at the venue counter.
- The Dubai aquarium tickets cost starts with the Silver pass, which grants access to the
- Aquarium Tunnel,
- Underwater Zoo,
- Penguin Cove, plus a 20 AED shop voucher.
- Gold pass adds a glass boat tour, fish feeding and dining vouchers, while
- Platinum has skip-the-line access and a complimentary animal encounter.
UAE residents receive 10% off with ClicktoGuide PromotCode CTG10
Weekend pricing is different, with tickets starting from AED 199 on weekdays or AED 209 Friday to Sunday.
Annual passes provide unlimited year-round access, with adults getting a free first animal encounter and 25% off for up to 4 companions.
The 4 For 3 Pass offers family savings when purchasing multiple tickets.
Dubai aquarium and underwater zoo timings
- The facility operates 365 days a year. Hours run from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM Sunday through Thursday, with last admission at 11:15 PM.
- Friday and Saturday extend to midnight and maintain the same last admission time.
- Timings remain consistent during public holidays.
The Aquarium Tunnel requires 15 to 30 minutes, while the Underwater Zoo on Level 2 takes 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. Glass Bottom Boat rides last 15 to 20 minutes and require advance booking at the Level 2 entrance.
How to get to Dubai aquarium Dubai mall
- The Red Line metro stops at Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station. Exit the station and follow the Metro Link Bridge, an air-conditioned, step-free walkway that arrives at mall Level 2.
- Bus routes 27, 28, 29, 30, 50 and 81 stop at Dubai Mall.
- Taxis use the P3 Zabeel Exit pickup points, while ride-hail services have designated zones at Lower Ground, P3 Cinema Parking and Fashion P1.
Parking and public transport options
- Dubai Mall operates paid parking with Salik activation required.
- Fashion, Cinema and Grand Parking offer free parking for 4 hours Monday through Thursday and extend to 6 hours Friday through Sunday.
- Zabeel and Fountain Views parking remain free.
- Rates begin at AED 20 for the fifth hour once the free period ends.
- Re-entry within 90 minutes continues charging, while returns after 90 minutes qualify for free hours again.
What to Expect at Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
Aquarium tunnel walkthrough
- The 48-meter tunnel puts you 11 meters below the water surface with a 270-degree acrylic view that wraps around and overhead.
- Sand Tiger, Reef, Leopard and Tawny Nurse Sharks glide centimeters from the glass among rays and groupers.
- You'll spend 15 to 30 minutes in the tunnel depending on how long you pause to watch feeding sessions.
Three ecological zones explained
- Level 2's Underwater Zoo recreates three distinct ecosystems.
- Rainforest has piranhas, giant catfish and Asian Small-Clawed Otters in jungle-style habitats.
- Rocky Shore houses 16 Gentoo penguins in temperature-controlled Antarctic conditions, with named residents like Rain.
- Living Ocean displays jellyfish, seahorses and bioluminescent species across 40 individual tanks.
Marine life and animal species
- The 10-million-liter tank holds over 140 species, with more than 400 sharks and rays among the 33,000 total creatures.
- The collection has one of the largest groups of Sand Tiger Sharks worldwide.
- King Jock and Queen Missy, the resident saltwater crocodiles, measure over 5 meters long and weigh 750 kilograms.
- Diego, the grandfather otter, demonstrates puzzle-solving and pebble-juggling skills.
Free viewing areas vs paid access
- Dubai Mall's ground floor offers free access to the main tank viewing panel.
- This 32.8m wide by 8.3m high acrylic panel holds the Guinness World Record as the largest viewing panel globally.
- Paid tickets grant access to the walk-through tunnel, all three ecological zones and close encounters with penguins, otters and crocodiles.
Experiences and Add-On Activities
Animal encounters available
You can do more than view the animals.
- Eight interactive encounters bring you face-to-face with residents.
- Penguin Encounter introduces Rain, the adventurous Gentoo penguin with a sassy personality.
- Otter Encounter features Diego, the grandfather otter who solves puzzles and juggles pebbles.
- Ray Encounter lets you hand-feed Eagle Rays and Cow Nose Rays under expert guidance.
Shark Trainer Encounter places you waist-deep in waterproof waders while you assist in training Bamboo and Leopard Sharks.
King Croc Encounter provides rare access to King Jock and Queen Missy.
Birds, Reptile and Sloth Encounters round out the animal interaction options.
Shark diving and cage snorkeling
- Certified divers aged 10 and above can join shark dives, with three daily sessions that accommodate four divers per slot.
- Al Boom Diving charges 750 AED for the experience. Non-certified divers complete a short Discover Scuba program beforehand.
Cage snorkeling requires no certification and accepts participants from age 8. Sessions run every half hour from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM and 3:00 PM to 7:30 PM, with up to four snorkelers per 30-minute slot. The secure cage floats within the 10-million-liter tank that houses over 70 marine species.
Glass bottom boat ride
Boats depart every 10 to 20 minutes from Level 2 and carry 10 passengers per 15 to 20-minute trip. Advance booking at the entrance prevents long waits.
Behind-the-scenes tours
Tours showcase coral growing tanks, seahorse breeding facilities, sea jelly tanks and bamboo shark habitats. Visitors observe quarantine areas and Life Support Systems that maintain water quality.
VR experiences
VRZOO uses 360-degree live-action video to transport guests to Uganda, South Africa, Maldives, Egypt and Australia. You encounter endangered elephants, gorillas, dugongs and whale sharks. theBlu VR simulates deep-sea environments with humpback whale encounters and glowing coral reefs.
Planning Your Visit: Practical Tips and Insider Advice
How much time you need
- Most visitors spend 90 to 120 minutes on a standard visit.
- The tunnel requires 15 to 30 minutes.
- The Underwater Zoo takes 45 minutes to 1.5 hours.
- Encounters or activities extend your visit to 2 to 3 hours.
Best days to avoid crowds
- Weekday mornings between 10 AM and 12 PM offer the quietest experience, especially Tuesday through Thursday.
- The busiest period occurs between 5 PM and 6 PM.
- Winter months from November to March bring peak crowds.
- Summer sees lighter footfall.
Dubai aquarium tickets cost comparison
- Prices change by date and add-ons.
- Online booking offers better rates than counter purchases typically.
- Seasonal promotions and bank offers provide additional savings.
- Weekend pricing runs AED 10 higher than weekdays.
What children and families should know
- Children under 2 enter free.
- The facility offers educational programs about marine conservation.
- Strollers are welcome.
- Lift access connects all levels.
- Certain experiences have age restrictions for safety.
Photography rules and best spots
- Photography is permitted throughout.
- Flash remains prohibited in specific animal areas.
- Position your lens perpendicular to glass to minimize glare.
- The 270-degree tunnel and Penguin Cove provide the best lighting between 10 and 11 AM.
Combo deals to consider
- The Burj Khalifa combo saves money when visiting both attractions.
- Dubai Flexi Attraction passes offer 3, 5, or 7 ticket options valid for seven consecutive days.
FAQs
Q1. Is there a discount code available for UAE residents visiting Dubai Aquarium?
Yes, UAE residents can use the promo code SAVE20 to receive 20% off their tickets. This discount applies to various ticket tiers including access to the Aquarium Tunnel, Underwater Zoo, Penguin Cove, and additional perks depending on the pass level selected.
Q2. How long should I plan to spend at Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo?
Most visitors spend between 90 to 120 minutes for a complete visit. The tunnel walkthrough takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes, while exploring the Underwater Zoo requires 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. If you plan to participate in animal encounters or additional activities, allow 2 to 3 hours for your visit.
Q3. Can I view the aquarium without purchasing a ticket?
Yes, you can view the main aquarium tank completely free from the ground floor of Dubai Mall. The viewing panel measures 32.8 meters wide by 8.3 meters high and holds the Guinness World Record as the largest viewing panel globally. However, paid tickets are required to access the walk-through tunnel, Underwater Zoo, and special encounters.
Q4. What are the ticket prices for Dubai Aquarium?
Ticket prices start from AED 199 on weekdays and AED 209 on weekends (Friday to Sunday). The Silver pass includes access to the Aquarium Tunnel, Underwater Zoo, and Penguin Cove, plus a 20 AED shop voucher. Gold and Platinum passes offer additional experiences like glass boat tours, fish feeding, and skip-the-line access at higher price points.
Q5. When is the best time to visit to avoid crowds?
Weekday mornings between 10 AM and 12 PM, particularly Tuesday through Thursday, offer the quietest experience. The busiest period is between 5 PM and 6 PM. Summer months see lighter crowds compared to the peak winter season from November to March.
