Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo: how to buy, prices and discounts

The Dubai Aquarium is a must-see destination for any nature lover or marine life enthusiast. Here's the lowdown.

Carla Yaquer

Carla Yaquer

8 min read

Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo: how to buy, prices and discounts

Dubai Aquarium | ©Marc Gerard Del Rosario

Among the hundreds of attractions capable of surprising those looking for things to see and do in Dubai, besides the Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world), is the Dubai Aquarium, which is right next door.

With a huge variety of underwater creatures and ecosystems to explore, whether you prefer to observe them or jump in the water and swim with them, there is something for everyone here. In this post you will find the complete guide to visiting the Dubai Aquarium with prices, offers, recommendations and details to make the most of your visit. Let's get started!

The best option

Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo Tickets

Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo Tickets

Perfect if you want to visit the famous Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo without queuing to make the most of your visit and not waste time.

With this entry you can see no less than 33,000 aquatic creatures in 10 million litres of water. It is so spectacular that it has become a benchmark for this type of attraction and it is no wonder that it is one of the 25 best aquariums in the world.

Buying these tickets will give you access to the entire complex: the 48-metre tunnel and the three zones of the aquarium, divided into the living ocean, coastal reefs and tropical zone. For an extra fee, you can swim with sharks and even feed them. From jellyfish and penguins to crustaceans, mighty sharks and King Crocodile, the largest recorded reptile of its species, the diversity of marine life is endless at the Dubai Aquarium

Why choose these tickets: If you're only interested in seeing the aquarium and don't want to do any extra activities.

Recommended if... You don't want to queue at the aquarium ticket office to get your ticket and have it in advance.

What types of tickets are available for the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo?

Dubai Aquarium| ©Rooroor´s
Dubai Aquarium| ©Rooroor´s

Booking the standard Dubai Aquarium ticket allows you to enter the facilities with access to all areas.

Apart from that, you can find other types of tickets that include extra activities such as fish feeding, guided tours or swimming with animals, among others.

The price starts at €38 and can be purchased at the ticket office when you visit the Dubai Mall, which I don't highly recommend and the reason for this is the queues.

Book tickets for the Dubai Aquarium

Are tickets to the Dubai Aquarium included in a tourist pass?

Underwater Zoo| ©Wasaam Ismail
Underwater Zoo| ©Wasaam Ismail

Yes! With your Dubai Explorer Pass you can visit the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo at the best price.

This pass offers discounted entry to Dubai's best theme parks including Legoland Dubai, Bollywood Parks Dubai, Atlantis Aquaventure and Motiongate Dubai; as well as boat rides and the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi experience.

In total there are 48 attractions that you can enjoy for 60 days from the date of purchase. For 5 to 7 day trips in Dubai, this is the most convenient offer.

Book tickets for the Dubai Aquarium

Are there combination tickets with other attractions including Dubai Aquarium?

Aquarium Tunnel| ©Petteri Järvinen
Aquarium Tunnel| ©Petteri Järvinen

Yes, you have several combination ticket options that include the Dubai Aquarium and Dubai Zoo. Remember that you are in a city where there are tourist attractions everywhere, so here are the options most recommended by visitors.

Burj Khalifa At The Top + Dubai Aquarium Combination Tickets

The first combined alternative offers you the exclusive enjoyment of two of Dubai's must-see attractions: the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Aquarium.

Booking tickets for the Dubai Aquarium and Burj Khalifa gives you access to the 124th and 125th floors of the Burj Khalifa and all areas of the Aquarium.

The price of this ticket starts from £67.

Combined Burj Khalifa + Dubai Aquarium + Dubai Frame Tickets

Want more attractions to see at the Dubai Marina? Up the fun with three of Dubai's most iconic attractions with this ticket, which you can buy from £88.5.

Enjoy all there is to see and do at the Burj Khalifa inside, which rises 828 metres and has hundreds of spaces inside to explore. You can also enter the observation deck on its 124th and 125th floors, with the best panoramic views of the city.

The next attraction in this entry was opened in 2018, the Dubai Frame. It is a pair of towering 150-metre-high towers connected by a 93-metre observation deck bridge.

Burj Khalifa + Dubai Aquarium + Desert Safari Combination Ticket

Dubai is a desert area, so the most comprehensive tours include a combination of cosmopolitan modernism and desert excursions, one of the things to do in Dubai with the family. Sign up for these 3 must-do Dubai experiences from €109.

Start the day with the views from the Burj Khalifa skyscraper, stroll through the 1200 shops at the Dubai Mall amidst the sculpture waterfall of swimmers and visit the Dubai Aquarium and Dubai Zoo.

Finally, get a classic Dubai experience when you're picked up in a 4x4 from your accommodation and driven to the Arabian Desert. Travel to the dunes and take part in desert camp activities such as camel riding, henna painting and shisha smoking. Finish the day with a delicious buffet and unlimited drinks.

Book the Aquarium offer with tickets to Burj Khalifa

Are there special children's tickets to the Dubai Aquarium?

Kids at the Aquarium| ©Ankur Panchbudhe
Kids at the Aquarium| ©Ankur Panchbudhe

Dubai is also for children and the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo proves it by letting children under the age of 3 free of charge.

However, when purchasing tickets for the Aquarium and Underwater Zoo for children over 3 years old, you will see that the price is the same as for adults.

Book tickets for the Aquarium and Underwater Zoo

Who gets free entry to the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo?

Visiting the Aquarium| ©kryšpín
Visiting the Aquarium| ©kryšpín

Children under 3 years of age are free at the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, as are persons with disabilities and their companion. However, the latter two must go to the ticket office to collect their tickets.

Book tickets for the Aquarium and Underwater Zoo

Is it worth buying tickets to the Dubai Aquarium online?

Touring the Aquarium| ©Franklin Heijnen
Touring the Aquarium| ©Franklin Heijnen

Absolutely! Booking tickets for the Aquarium and Underwater Zoo online will save you from queuing at the ticket booths and save you time when visiting other areas of Dubai.

Book tickets for the Aquarium and Underwater Zoo

What are the opening hours of the Dubai Aquarium?

Acurio Day| ©Oiva Eskola
Acurio Day| ©Oiva Eskola

The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is open from Monday to Sunday throughout the year, including public holidays at the following times:

  • Monday to Friday it is open between 10:00 am and 10:00 pm.
  • On Saturdays and Sundays its opening hours are extended, between 10:00 and 24:00.

But be careful! Entry is allowed until 30 minutes before the aquarium closes.

Book tickets for the Aquarium and Underwater Zoo

Where is the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo?

Divers at the aquarium| ©Daniel Gillaspia
Divers at the aquarium| ©Daniel Gillaspia

The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is located inside the Dubai Mall, one of the world's largest shopping malls and a landmark in the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

How to get to the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo

Dubai Metro| ©John Sniegon
Dubai Metro| ©John Sniegon

The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is easy to get to. Just take the Dubai Metro from any of the city's stations and get off at the Dubai Mall stop.

Alternatively, you can hop on one of the best sightseeing buses in Dubai and get off at the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall stop, (number 1 on the red route and number 15 on the blue route).

Book tickets for the Aquarium and Underwater Zoo

What activities are available at the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo?

Meet the Shark Cage| ©Ankur Panchbudhe
Meet the Shark Cage| ©Ankur Panchbudhe

The activities at the aquarium are as wide-ranging as the aquarium itself and can be divided into two main groups: things to do with the sharks at the Dubai Aquarium and activities with the rest of the aquarium's marine life.

Activities with sharks

  • Shark cage diving: the experience is done using snorkelling equipment inside a safety cage in the aquarium. This approach not only allows you to see the different species of sharks, but also to observe rays, piranhas, clownfish, and many other marine species up close.
  • Shark feeding: feeding sharks gives you a unique opportunity to learn about the feeding habits and behaviour of these predators.
  • Shark dive: if you are a marine life lover and you like adrenaline, this diving experience is definitely for you. After a brief theoretical explanation about diving, you will be equipped with everything you need to dive into the tank.

Other highlights of activities at the Dubai Aquarium

  • Giant crocodile watching: this aquarium boasts the largest crocodile in the world. It weighs around 750 kg and is 5 metres long.
  • Discover scuba diving: if you are a beginner in scuba diving, this activity is perfect for you. You will be able to experience the sensation of breathing underwater while observing the beauty of the underwater world under the supervision of experts.
  • Meet the otters: these charming creatures are a real delight to observe and learn about their behaviour in their natural habitat.
  • Nocturnal animal watching in the area: a perfect activity to do in Dubai at night. At the Dubai Aquarium and Dubai Aquarium, nighttime activities are also offered to observe animals that are active after sunset.
  • Visit the manta rays: Manta rays are one of the most fascinating species in the underwater world and at the Dubai Aquarium you can learn more about their lifestyle and behaviour.

Book tickets for the Aquarium and Underwater Zoo

How much time do you need to visit the Dubai Aquarium?

Aquarium logo| ©Jeremy Thompson
Aquarium logo| ©Jeremy Thompson

The estimated time needed to visit the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is 2-3 hours.

However, consider that due to its location in the Dubai Mall, there are many other things to do such as shopping, seeing the colourful sculptures or doing other activities inside the aquarium itself (such as diving with the sharks) that might require more space in your schedule.

Consequently, I recommend that you set aside at least one full afternoon for this activity.

When is the best time of day to visit the Dubai Aquarium?

Shark section| ©Jeremy Thompson
Shark section| ©Jeremy Thompson

Ideally, plan your visit during the aquarium's own activities if you are interested in participating in them.

  • Stingray feeding at 10.30am.
  • Shark feeding at 14:00.
  • Presentation of the otters at 14:30.
  • Presentation of the piranhas at 14:45.
  • Crocodile feeding, including the star of the show, King Crocodile, at 16:00.
  • Presentation of the penguins at 14:30.

On the other hand, those interested in learning more about marine life can take daily tours guided by experts who will teach them how these animals are cared for and what makes each species unique. These visits are free, so don't miss out on this opportunity.

Book tickets for the Aquarium and the Underwater Zoo