Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo ticket prices start from around AED 199 on weekdays (AED 209 Fri–Sun). Inside Dubai Mall, this record-breaking attraction holds 10 million litres of water and 33,000 marine creatures, with a 48-metre walk-through tunnel. This guide covers every ticket option and price, timings, what's inside, animal encounters, and the combo deals that save you money.
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At a glance
- Location: Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai
- Tickets from: AED 199 (weekdays) / AED 209 (Fri–Sun)
- Timings: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM (Sun–Thu), to midnight Fri–Sat
- Time needed: 90–120 minutes (2–3 hours with encounters)
- Free view: the giant ground-floor tank panel is free; tickets unlock the tunnel, zoo & encounters
- Best value: book online + consider a Burj Khalifa combo
Contents
- Tickets & pricing
- Timings & how to get there
- What to expect inside
- Experiences & animal encounters
- Planning tips & combo deals
- FAQs
Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo tickets and pricing
Tickets are available online or at the venue, but booking online is cheaper and skips the queue. The main Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo ticket gives you the Aquarium Tunnel, the Underwater Zoo and Penguin Cove. Pass tiers add extras:
- Silver: Aquarium Tunnel, Underwater Zoo, Penguin Cove + a shop voucher.
- Gold: adds a glass-boat tour, fish feeding and dining vouchers.
- Platinum: adds skip-the-line access and a complimentary animal encounter.
Prices start from AED 199 on weekdays and AED 209 Friday–Sunday. Children under 2 enter free. UAE residents can often save with a promo code at checkout — use code [PROMO CODE] for the current resident discount. 👉 Compare pass options and live prices.
Timings, location & how to get there
Open 365 days a year: 10:00 AM–11:00 PM Sunday–Thursday (last admission 11:15 PM), extending to midnight on Friday and Saturday.
- Metro: Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station, then the air-conditioned Metro Link Bridge to mall Level 2. (See our Burj Khalifa entrance guide if you're combining both.)
- Bus: routes 27, 28, 29, 30, 50 and 81 stop at Dubai Mall.
- Taxi / ride-hail: designated pickup zones at P3 Zabeel, Cinema Parking and Fashion P1.
What to expect inside
The 48-metre tunnel takes you 11 metres below the surface with a 270° acrylic view — Sand Tiger, Reef and Leopard sharks glide past among rays and groupers (allow 15–30 minutes). Level 2's Underwater Zoo recreates three ecosystems: Rainforest (piranhas, otters), Rocky Shore (Gentoo penguins) and Living Ocean (jellyfish, seahorses across 40 tanks). The 10-million-litre tank holds 140+ species and 400+ sharks and rays, including resident crocodiles King Jock and Queen Missy.
Free vs paid: Dubai Mall's ground floor lets you view the main tank through the Guinness-record 32.8m × 8.3m panel for free. A paid ticket unlocks the tunnel, all three zones and the animal encounters.
Experiences & animal encounters
Beyond viewing, eight interactive encounters bring you face-to-face with the residents — Penguin, Otter, Ray, Shark Trainer and King Croc among them. Certified divers (10+) can join shark dives, and cage snorkelling (from age 8) needs no certification. There are also glass-bottom boat rides, behind-the-scenes tours and VR experiences. 👉 Add an animal encounter to your ticket, or browse more aquarium experiences in Dubai.
Planning tips & combo deals
- Time needed: 90–120 minutes standard; 2–3 hours with encounters.
- Quietest times: weekday mornings 10 AM–12 PM (Tue–Thu). Busiest 5–6 PM.
- Families: under-2s free, strollers welcome, lift access to all levels.
- Photos: allowed throughout (no flash near animals); shoot perpendicular to the glass to cut glare.
- Save with a combo: a Burj Khalifa + Dubai Aquarium combo pairs two Downtown Dubai icons at a lower price, and Dubai attraction passes bundle several visits.
Planning a wider trip? See our guide to the best tourist places in Dubai.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How much are Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo tickets?
Prices start from AED 199 on weekdays and AED 209 on weekends (Fri–Sun). The base ticket includes the Aquarium Tunnel, Underwater Zoo and Penguin Cove; Gold and Platinum passes add experiences like glass-boat tours, fish feeding and skip-the-line access. Check live prices.
Q2. 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.
Q3. 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.
Q4. 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.
Q5. 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.
Q6. 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.
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