

Dubai: Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
Yes
Operating Hours:Monday - Thursday: 10:00 - 23:00. Friday - Sunday: 10:00 - 24:00
The Vibe:Dive into a living ocean
An underwater world beneath a shopping mall, Dubai Aquarium houses a vast ocean panorama in the desert. This massive tank and connected zoo display thousands of marine creatures — from sharks and rays to tropical fish and adorable penguins — captivating both kids and adults.
Cool blue light and gentle bubble sounds create a tranquil aquatic mood. Fish dart past the glass, and distant whale-call echoes. The hum of mall crowds mixes with splashes and faint announcements.
- One of the largest indoor aquariums in the world
- Reader’s Choice on TripAdvisor for family fun
- Featured by National Geographic and travel media
Fit For
- Families: Educational and fun, with interactive feeds
- Couples: Romantic tunnel stroll and cafe with fish views
- Photographers: Unique macro shots of exotic sea life
- School Groups: Engaging conservation lessons and tunnels
Highlights
- 48m Underwater Tunnel — walk 11m below the surface among sharks and rays
- Penguin Cove & Nursery — meet Gentoo penguins in a chilly Antarctic habitat
- Rainforest, Rocky Coast, Living Ocean — traverse ecosystems from fresh to saltwater
- Feeding Shows — watch scheduled shark and otter feedings
Dubai Local Expert

Laura Coughlin
Table of Contents
- Located inside Dubai Mall (Level 2). Signs in mall lead to the aquarium entrance.
- Metro: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station + air-conditioned walkway.
- Dubai Mall has parking and taxi drop-offs; enter through the Souk or Casino entrance.
- Tip: Book tickets online to skip line; weekend afternoons are busiest.
Food & Coffee Shops
Aquarium Cafe: coffee and snacks with a giant shark tank view.
Pangea Restaurant: fine dining seafood with aquarium panoramas.
Aquarium Cafe: coffee and snacks with a giant shark tank view.
Pangea Restaurant: fine dining seafood with aquarium panoramas.
Insider Tips
Best Time: Early morning weekdays to avoid crowds for clear photos.
Hack: Watch the 3pm and 8pm shark feedings for an exciting free show.
Hidden Gem: Stand on mall escalators for a unique wide-angle shot of the whole tank.
Optional: Download aquarium app for a digital guide and show schedules.
Best Time: Early morning weekdays to avoid crowds for clear photos.
Hack: Watch the 3pm and 8pm shark feedings for an exciting free show.
Hidden Gem: Stand on mall escalators for a unique wide-angle shot of the whole tank.
Optional: Download aquarium app for a digital guide and show schedules.
Photography Tips
No flash near animals; use higher ISO to capture dim exhibits.
Golden Hour: indoors lighting is artificial, but early visits avoid reflections from glass.
Shoot upwards in the tunnel for dramatic shark angles, or from the mall floor through glass panels.
Lens: wide-angle for tank, macro for reef fish.
No flash near animals; use higher ISO to capture dim exhibits.
Golden Hour: indoors lighting is artificial, but early visits avoid reflections from glass.
Shoot upwards in the tunnel for dramatic shark angles, or from the mall floor through glass panels.
Lens: wide-angle for tank, macro for reef fish.
Things To Do Nearby
KidZania & VR Park (Dubai Mall) — interactive indoor attractions for children.
Dubai Mall Ice Rink — family-friendly skating rink on site.
Dubai Fountain Show — spectacular evening water-light show outside Dubai Mall.
KidZania & VR Park (Dubai Mall) — interactive indoor attractions for children.
Dubai Mall Ice Rink — family-friendly skating rink on site.
Dubai Fountain Show — spectacular evening water-light show outside Dubai Mall.




