Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo: tunnel, Underwater Zoo and penguins at The Dubai Mall
- AgesAll ages
- PriceAED 199a visit, lowest price
- OpenAskNot published yet
- WhereDowntown DubaiOpen in Maps
About Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is inside The Dubai Mall in Downtown Dubai: the 48-metre Aquarium Tunnel is on the Ground Level and the Underwater Zoo is on Level 2. It suits children of any age (no minimum age is published; only cage snorkelling is 8+) and is open 365 days a year, Monday to Friday 11am to 9pm and Saturday to Sunday 10am to 9pm, last entry 8.15pm, timings subject to change. The 10-million-litre tank holds more than 140 species, including 300-plus sharks and rays; the tunnel runs 11 metres below the surface with a 270-degree view. Upstairs, the Underwater Zoo moves through Rainforest, Rocky Shore and Living Ocean zones across 40 displays, with a touch rock pool, otters, King Croc and Penguin Cove, home to Gentoo penguins. The Silver Pass covers the tunnel, Underwater Zoo and Penguin Cove for AED 199 (AED 169 with the UAE Residents Offer); Gold adds a glass-bottom boat ride and fish feeding for AED 269. Feeding presentations run daily; animal encounters (penguins, otters, rays, sloths and more) are paid extras.
The activity
Attractions & Edutainment, explained
An aquarium visit is a walk past tanks and habitats where children watch sharks, rays, fish, penguins and other animals up close, usually with keepers on hand to answer questions. At a big one there is a glass tunnel to walk through, scheduled feeding presentations and paid add-on encounters where children meet an animal with a trainer. It builds curiosity about the ocean, basic science vocabulary and patience: the good moments come to the child who stands still and watches. Babies and toddlers come along in a pushchair and enjoy the colour and movement; from about four, children start asking what things are, and from seven or eight they can join the hands-on encounters.
Who it's for
Families with children of any age: the website publishes no minimum age for general entry and markets the Junior & Senior Aquarist programme and birthday parties to children. The only published age rule is 8+ for cage snorkelling; the diving experiences have their own conditions on their pages. Babies and toddlers come along too. Children who want a hands-on moment can book an animal encounter as an add-on; the encounter pages publish no minimum age, so ask the provider before booking for a young child. An Annual Pass Child (AED 400) exists for regulars.
What to expect
Buy tickets at the counter or online in advance to skip the queue. Start with the Aquarium Tunnel on the Ground Level, which takes about 15 to 30 minutes, then head up to the Underwater Zoo on Level 2 for 45 minutes to an hour and a half. Feeding presentations are listed daily at 1.30pm (otters), 2pm (sharks) and 4pm (sloths); the Visitor's Guide says to ask staff for the day's times. The glass-bottom boat ride lasts 15 to 20 minutes and is booked at the boat entrance on Level 2: do that early. Photos and videos are fine for personal use, but no flash in the marked areas. Re-entry is not permitted, so plan the visit in one go.
Highlights
- 48-metre walk-through tunnel, 11 metres below the surface, with a 270-degree view of the 10-million-litre tank (thedubaiaquarium.com)
- More than 140 species and 300-plus sharks and rays in the main tank (thedubaiaquarium.com)
- Underwater Zoo on Level 2: Rainforest, Rocky Shore and Living Ocean zones across 40 displays, with a touch rock pool (thedubaiaquarium.com)
- Penguin Cove with Gentoo penguins, included in the Silver, Gold and Platinum passes; Penguin Encounter add-on AED 130 (thedubaiaquarium.com)
- Daily feeding presentations listed at otters 1.30pm, sharks 2pm, sloths 4pm; check times with staff on the day (thedubaiaquarium.com)
- Animal encounters from AED 50 (birds, reptiles) to AED 130 (penguins, otters, King Croc) (thedubaiaquarium.com)
Why parents rate it
What parents say on Google
Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo has 4.5 on Google from 80,013 reviews, with the listing filed under Aquarium. That is the overall score as it stood in October 2026; the most recent reviews on the Google listing are the quickest way to see what families are saying about queues, the tunnel and the penguins this season.
The facts
- Ages
- All ages for general entry (no minimum age published); cage snorkelling 8+; encounter age limits not published, ask the provider
- Prices
- Silver Pass AED 199 (AED 169 with the UAE Residents Offer); Gold AED 269; Platinum AED 399; 4 For 3 Pass AED 597; Annual Pass Child AED 400, Adult AED 500; Silver Season Pass AED 249 and Gold Season Pass AED 349 (90 days); animal encounters AED 50-130; prices as listed on thedubaiaquarium.com, 19 Oct 2026
- Where
- The Dubai Mall, Ground Level (Aquarium Tunnel) and Level 2 (Underwater Zoo), 1 Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai
- How to book
- thedubaiaquarium.com/tickets/book-tickets · 800-38224-6255 · +971 4 366 1630 · [email protected]
- Opening hours
- Mon–Fri11am–9pm
- Sat–Sun10am–9pm
Questions parents ask
Good to know
- Hours: Monday to Friday 11am to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 9pm, last entry 8.15pm, open 365 days a year; the website says timings are subject to change (thedubaiaquarium.com)
- UAE Residents Offer: 15% off the Silver Pass, AED 169 instead of AED 199 (thedubaiaquarium.com)
- 4 For 3 Pass: four Silver tickets for AED 597 instead of AED 796 (thedubaiaquarium.com)
- Annual Pass Child AED 400 and Annual Pass Adult AED 500, each with a free first animal encounter; Silver Season Pass AED 249 and Gold Season Pass AED 349, each for 90 days (thedubaiaquarium.com)
- No re-entry: a ticket is valid for one entry, but you can stay all day within opening hours (thedubaiaquarium.com)
- Photos and videos allowed for personal use; flash photography is banned in marked areas (thedubaiaquarium.com)
- Birthday parties: Aqua Package AED 169 per person Monday to Thursday or AED 199 Friday to Sunday, 11am to 2pm, minimum 15 children, booked at least 2 days ahead; the birthday child and 2 parents enter free; party room holds 20 people including children, and the penguin slot is 12pm to 1pm for up to 15 kids and 2 adults (thedubaiaquarium.com)
- Souvenir shop at the exit of the Underwater Zoo; Silver Pass includes an AED 20 shop voucher (thedubaiaquarium.com)
- Enquiries: 800-DUBAI-MALL (800-38224-6255), 04-3661630 (+971 4 366 1630) or [email protected]; the contact page gives the address as 1 Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai (thedubaiaquarium.com)
Prices, ages and times change — confirm with the provider before you book.
Location
Skip mapLevel 2, The Dubai Mall, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Downtown Dubai, Dubai
Interested in Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo?
Call them — ask about classes, times and prices.
Call +971 4 366 1630