An Ocean Within a Mall
The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is one of the most jaw-dropping spectacles in the world, visible even from outside the mall through its 32.88 million litre tank which forms the entire ground floor window of The Dubai Mall. It holds a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest acrylic panel, a single transparent wall measuring 32.88 meters wide and 8.3 meters tall, through which you can watch thousands of marine animals gliding past in extraordinary clarity. Venturing inside transforms the experience from spectacular to utterly immersive.
What to Expect
- The Walk-Through Tunnel: The centrepiece of the experience is a 48-meter long underwater tunnel that passes directly through the enormous tank, completely surrounding you with marine life above and on both sides. Sharks, rays, and thousands of fish drift silently overhead.
- Underwater Zoo: Three ecological zones — Rainforest, Rocky Shore, and Living Ocean — showcase a diverse collection of over 300 species including arapaima, otters, piranhas, crocodiles, and jellyfish in beautifully designed naturalistic habitats.
- Cage Snorkeling & Shark Diving: For the adventurous, the aquarium offers cage snorkeling experiences and certified shark dives directly inside the main tank with the sand tiger sharks and rays.
- Glass-Bottom Boat: Younger visitors and families can enjoy a glass-bottom boat ride across the surface of the tank, looking directly down into the water at the creatures below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it free to see the tank from outside?
A: Yes, the exterior view of the massive tank from The Dubai Mall ground floor is completely free. A ticket is only required to enter the tunnel and the Underwater Zoo.
Q: Can I swim with the sharks?
A: Yes! The aquarium offers shark diving experiences for certified divers. For non-divers, cage snorkeling experiences are also available and are extremely popular.
