Holidays in Dubai have long been loved by our compatriots. They appreciated the luxurious white beaches, gentle ocean waves, beautiful and comfortable hotels for every taste and, of course, shopping centers. They are the pride of the city. Here you can not only walk through boutiques and dine in cozy restaurants, but also have fun with the whole family. The most famous shopping center "Dubai Mall" is especially suitable for these purposes. The aquarium located here is always very crowded. This is where both adults and children want to go. After all, this aquarium is considered one of the largest in the world. This fact alone makes it worthy of attention. Today we tell you all about the Dubai Aquarium, including interesting facts about it and secrets to help families save some money while visiting this unusual place.
At a Glance
The Dubai Aquarium is actually the correct term for "aquarium". However, in English, these words are pronounced the same, but in Russian there are noticeable differences. However, we will still talk about this place mainly as an oceanarium, because that is what is written in all guidebooks and advertising booklets.
The aquarium is located very close to the entrance to the mall. It is located on two floors, the third is occupied by an underwater zoo. The volume of the aquarium is ten million liters.
Visitors to the mall can watch thirty thousand marine life. Of greater interest are sharks and rays, there are about four hundred species of them in the aquarium.
A tunnel passes through the oceanarium. Its length is forty-eight meters, many visitors enthusiastically talk about what an incredible feeling it is to walk through this tunnel.
The water temperature in the aquarium in Dubai does not fall below twenty-four degrees Celsius. It is in such conditions that the tropical inhabitants of the seas feel comfortable.
Interesting facts
The aquarium in the Dubai Mall can tell a lot of interesting things about itself. Many call it the largest in the world, but this is not so. But he still has his own record. One of the walls of the aquarium is made of high-strength acrylic glass. She is the pride of this place. The wall is seventy-five centimeters thick and eight and a half meters high. She keepsalmost two hundred and forty five tons of water and allows all visitors to see the diversity of the underwater world.
Few people know that nine years ago the aquarium was almost closed. Sand sharks were settled here, which for some reason suddenly began to destroy reef sharks. This never happens in nature, so oceanologists could not understand what was the reason for such strange behavior of predators. So far they have not figured it out, but gradually the sharks have calmed down.
Seven years ago in February, an emergency at the aquarium caused the evacuation of all visitors to the mall. The caretakers noticed a leak in the acrylic glass, water seeping through it, and it could destroy almost the entire entertainment center.
Experienced travelers are advised not to take photos while walking through the tunnel. Its curved walls reflect light, so the pictures are not the best quality. If you want to brag to your friends after the rest with great photos, then take them near the two-story wall. This is the best location for filming.
Work Schedule
Dubai Mall Aquarium opening hours will help you plan your trip to the mall and make the most of it. From ten in the morning to eleven in the evening, the aquarium is open on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday. On the remaining days of the week, it works one hour longer.
Paid or free?
You can view the inhabitants of the aquarium absolutely free of charge. If you spent money on shopping, then just stand byhuge acrylic glass. From this place, all marine life is perfectly visible. Many are ready to stand idle here for hours and are happy to talk about what they managed to see.
But those who want to fully experience all the opportunities that the aquarium gives visitors should still buy a ticket and get inside. Moreover, visitors purchase various package tickets. They represent a whole program of entertainment, which then can be remembered with pleasure for a long time.
Oceanarium features
Every visitor should know that the aquarium consists of two parts. On the first two floors there is directly an aquarium with marine life. You can view it from below from the tunnel and from above during a trip on a boat with a transparent bottom.
On the third floor is an underwater zoo. It contains not only marine life, but also other animals that have nothing to do with water.
What to see in the aquarium?
It is rather difficult to answer this question, because even an ordinary calm walk through the tunnel brings incredible pleasure to visitors. It is especially interesting to come here at two o'clock in the afternoon, when the sharks are fed. If you find yourself in the aquarium at ten o'clock in the morning, you can see how the stingrays eat.
Keep in mind that the entrance ticket to the Dubai Aquarium includes a mandatory visit to the tunnel in the price. It will not work to save on this, because only package tickets are sold at the box office.
Features of the underwater zoo
Here you can also walk for several hours. Visitors have the opportunity to visit all three thematic zones:
- ocean;
- rainforest;
- rocky shore.
It is worth noting right away that not every tourist notices when he crosses the border of one zone and enters another. Forty aquariums and aviaries of various sizes are so cleverly placed that they completely occupy the attention of visitors.
It is difficult to describe all the inhabitants that adults and children can meet at the zoo. Funny penguins, nocturnal animals of the United Arab Emirates, piranhas and an unusual “sprayer” fish, which can shoot down flying insects with a jet of water, cause a real storm of emotions.
Also don't miss the lungfish and giant crabs, these animals deserve close attention.
Dubai Aquarium: ticket price and program
The Aquarium at the Leisure Center offers a wide range of programs that turn ordinary marine life viewing into an incredible adventure:
- Snorkeling in a cage. Thirty minutes in a cage will leave a lasting impression on you. Indeed, at arm's length from you there will be rays, sharks and other inhabitants of the deep sea. The ticket price fluctuates around eighty dollars.
- Ride on a glass bottom boat. This entertainment lasts approximately fifteen minutes, but bringsa lot of positive emotions. There are ten people in the boat, each paying eight dollars on average. What makes this walk so popular is its low cost.
- The Aquarium at the Dubai Mall offers a shocking shark encounter. The daredevils put on a special helmet and jump into the water in a cage. For almost half an hour they will be in dangerous proximity to graceful predators. This adventure costs one hundred and fifty dollars.
- Diving with sharks. If you have always dreamed of swimming with cougars, then this is your chance. Aquarium instructors offer this to beginners and certified divers. The cost of the program varies from one hundred and eighty to two hundred and forty dollars. The price includes a twenty-minute dive, equipment rental and a training lesson.
- Professional diving program with sharks. In this case, visitors are offered a subscription to three dives with video for five hundred and ten dollars. Visitors decide for themselves how many days to stretch this pleasure.
The aquarium also offers educational programs, but they are conducted only in Arabic and English.
Price of entrance ticket
If you do not want to buy a ticket with an entertainment program, then go to the box office of the underwater zoo. For 900 rubles ($15) you will get the opportunity to visit the zoo itself and the oceanarium tunnel.
Children under three years old can become visitors to the aquarium absolutely free of charge, a small discount is provided for an older child. But usually the difference between an adult and a child ticket does not exceed two dollars.
Reviews of tourists
Travelers almost unanimously call this oceanarium an "amazing place" that you want to visit more than once. Visitors love absolutely everything here, except for expensive souvenirs at the exit and a large number of people at almost any time of the day.
It's worth noting that this is not the only aquarium in Dubai. The aquarium in Atlantis also often delights tourists, but they still give preference to the one located in the Dubai Mall entertainment center.
So put it on your list of places to visit while on holiday in the UAE. You and your kids will love it here.
