# Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

> Dubai Aquarium is a 10-million-litre tank inside The Dubai Mall, and you can watch its sharks and rays through the main panel for free. The walk-through tunnel and Underwater Zoo need a ticket — the Silver pass is around AED 199. Open daily: Mon–Fri 11:00–21:00, Sat–Sun 10:00–21:00. Allow 60–90 minutes for the paid part.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-aquarium

- City: [Dubai](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai), United Arab Emirates
- YesGo score: 38/100 (Yes, if nearby)
- Time on site: 1 h
- Entry: Free view; tunnel ≈ AED 199
- With kids: Fine with kids
- Main tank wall from the mall: Free, during mall hours
- Silver: tunnel, Underwater Zoo, Penguin Cove: ≈ AED 199
- Gold: + glass-bottom boat and fish feeding: ≈ AED 269
- Platinum: + skip the line and an animal encounter: ≈ AED 399
- Children: Under 2 free (unofficial)
- Hours: Mon–Fri 11:00–21:00, Sat–Sun 10:00–21:00, last entry 20:15
- Closed: Never — open 365 days a year
- Where to buy: Official Dubai Aquarium website or the ticket desk in the mall
- Payment: Visa and Mastercard work in the mall and online; the metro needs a Nol card
- Metro: Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, then the covered link bridge, ≈ 10–15 min on foot
- Coordinates: 25.19756, 55.27842
- Facts checked: 03.11.2026

## Key facts

- **10 million litres** — of water in the main tank, visible from several mall levels (source: English and Russian Wikipedia)
- **Free** — to watch sharks and rays through the main panel from the mall (source: English Wikipedia — the tank is visible from three mall levels, and mall entry is free)
- **48 m** — walk-through tunnel under the water (source: English Wikipedia; Platinumlist)
- **≈ 33,000** — aquatic animals in the aquarium (source: English and Russian Wikipedia; Platinumlist)
- **400+** — sharks and rays, including sand tiger sharks (source: English Wikipedia; Platinumlist)
- **4 November 2008** — opened together with The Dubai Mall (source: English and Russian Wikipedia)
- **Guinness record** — 2008 — the largest shopping-mall aquarium (source: English and Russian Wikipedia)
- **≈ 33 × 8 m** — viewing panel — one of the largest in the world (source: English and Russian Wikipedia)
- **Gentoo penguins** — live in Penguin Cove, with lighting that mimics the Antarctic day (source: Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo official website)
- **Emaar** — developed the aquarium along with the mall (source: English Wikipedia)

## Dubai Aquarium tickets and prices

Tickets come as passes. **Silver** — around **AED 199** per adult — covers the Aquarium Tunnel, the Underwater Zoo and Penguin Cove. **Gold**, around AED 269, adds a glass-bottom boat ride over the tank and fish feeding. **Platinum**, around AED 399, adds skip-the-line entry and one animal encounter on top of Gold.

We mark these prices as “verifying”: the official site and resellers list them differently and the passes change from time to time, so check the official Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo website before you go. Resellers state that children under 2 enter free.

Buy online on the official site or at the ticket desk next to the tank. Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere in Dubai, including the mall and the aquarium website; extras such as otter, ray or reptile encounters are sold separately.

> **Is Dubai Aquarium free?** The main tank is: its giant panel faces straight onto the mall concourse, and anyone can stand there for as long as they like. You only pay for the tunnel, the Underwater Zoo upstairs and the extras. Short on time or money? Start at the glass and decide there.

## Opening hours and last entry

The aquarium is open every day: **Monday to Friday 11:00–21:00, Saturday and Sunday 10:00–21:00**, with last entry at 20:15. It closes well before the mall does, so plan it for the afternoon and keep the evening for the fountains.

Hours change during Ramadan and on some holidays, and a few older pages still quote later closing times — check the official site on the day. The free view of the main tank is available whenever The Dubai Mall itself is open.

## How to get to Dubai Aquarium

1. Take the Dubai Metro Red Line to **Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall** station — about 25 minutes from DXB airport with no changes, or 15–20 minutes by taxi.
2. You need a Nol card for the metro; bank cards don't reliably work at the gates. Buy one from the machines or ticket office at any station.
3. From the station, follow the air-conditioned covered link bridge — about 820 m, 10–15 minutes on foot.
4. The bridge leads straight into the mall; follow signs for **Dubai Aquarium** — you'll see the glass before you reach it.
5. The ticket desk and tunnel entrance are beside the tank; the route continues up to the Underwater Zoo.

## Is Dubai Aquarium worth it?

The free view — absolutely: it's on the way to the fountains and costs nothing. The paid part is worth it with children or if you love marine life; sharks gliding over the tunnel and the penguins are what kids remember.

If you've already done big aquariums elsewhere, Silver can feel short: the tunnel takes minutes, and the headline view is the same one you get from the mall. In that case, spend the money on the [Burj Khalifa observation deck](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/burj-khalifa) and enjoy the tank for free.

Gold is the pass to pick if you want to see the sharks from above on the glass-bottom boat. Platinum mainly buys time — useful at weekends, when the tunnel queue gets long.

## What is Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo?

A public aquarium and indoor zoo inside [The Dubai Mall](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-mall), at the foot of Burj Khalifa. It opened with the mall on 4 November 2008 and was developed by Emaar.

The main tank holds 10 million litres and around 33,000 animals, including more than 400 sharks and rays. Its viewing panel is roughly 33 m wide and 8 m tall, and in 2008 Guinness listed it as the largest shopping-mall aquarium.

It isn't the world's biggest aquarium overall — others hold more water. What makes it unusual is that it sits in the middle of a shopping mall, so you can walk past it on the way to dinner.

## What to see inside

- **The main panel** — sand tiger sharks, rays and shoals of fish over the reef; the lowest mall level gives the best view.
- **The 48 m tunnel** — sharks and rays pass overhead and alongside; linger in the middle, where the rays settle on the glass.
- **The Underwater Zoo** upstairs — crocodiles, otters, snakes and rainforest species.
- **Penguin Cove** — Gentoo penguins in a multi-level habitat with Antarctic-style lighting and a slide into the pool.
- **Daily feeding shows** — times are posted at the entrance.
- **Glass-bottom boat** (Gold pass) — a look down at the sharks from the surface of the tank.

## Before you go: checklist

- [ ] I'll arrive before last entry at 20:15
- [ ] Checked the pass price on the official site
- [ ] Nol card for the metro
- [ ] Allowed 60–90 minutes for the tunnel and zoo
- [ ] A light layer — the mall's air conditioning is cold

## Free view vs Silver vs Gold vs Platinum

|  | Free view | Silver | Gold | Platinum |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | ≈ AED 199 | ≈ AED 269 | ≈ AED 399 |
| Main tank | Through the panel | Plus the tunnel | Plus the tunnel | Plus the tunnel |
| Underwater Zoo and penguins | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Glass-bottom boat | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Skip the line | No queue | No | No | Yes |
| Time needed | 10–15 min | 60–90 min | 1.5–2 h | 1.5–2 h |

Adults without children are usually happy with the free view. With kids, Silver; Gold if you want the boat.

## Dubai by the water, compared

Water-themed places in Dubai rated by YesGo.

- [Burj Al Arab](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/burj-al-arab) — YesGo score 59/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Free to view; closed inside
- [Palm Jumeirah](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/palm-jumeirah) — YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 2 h · Island free, The View from AED 80
- [The Dubai Fountain](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-fountain) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free; Boardwalk and abra ride paid
- [Dubai Creek and the abra crossing](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-creek) — YesGo score 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Abra AED 1–2, waterfronts free
- [Dubai Water Canal](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-canal) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free; abra rides from AED 2
- [Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/ras-al-khor) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free
- [Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-aquarium) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free view; tunnel ≈ AED 199
- [Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood (Old Dubai)](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/al-fahidi) — YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free to walk
- [Dubai Marina](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-marina) — YesGo score 33/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free; boats and cruises extra
- [Madinat Jumeirah and Souk Madinat](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/madinat-jumeirah) — YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free entry; abra ride AED 100
- [Al Shindagha Museum](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/al-shindagha) — YesGo score 28/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · AED 50; students 5–24 AED 20
- [Atlantis, The Palm](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/atlantis-the-palm) — YesGo score 27/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Aquarium ≈ AED 125, waterpark ≈ AED 300
- [JBR Beach and The Walk](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/jbr-beach) — YesGo score 26/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free; sunbed AED 125
- [Al Mamzar Beach Park](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/al-mamzar-beach-park) — YesGo score 21/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · AED 5, car AED 30

## Downtown Dubai in an afternoon and evening

The aquarium in daylight, the mall and the observation deck at sunset, the fountains after dark — all within one block.

1. [Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-aquarium) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free view; tunnel ≈ AED 199
2. [The Dubai Mall](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-mall) — YesGo score 56/100 (Yes, go) · 2 h · Free entry
3. [Burj Khalifa](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/burj-khalifa) — YesGo score 79/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · from AED 189
4. [The Dubai Fountain](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-fountain) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free; Boardwalk and abra ride paid

## Good to know

Don't confuse it with The Lost Chambers Aquarium, a separate attraction with its own ticket at [Atlantis The Palm](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/atlantis-the-palm) on Palm Jumeirah, or with the National Aquarium in Abu Dhabi. Dubai Aquarium is the one with the giant window in The Dubai Mall.

## Tips

- Stand at the glass first — if the sharks and rays are enough for you, skip the tunnel.
- Weekday afternoons are the quietest; evenings and weekends get crowded at the tunnel entrance.
- The aquarium closes at 21:00 and the [Dubai Fountain](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-fountain) shows run in the evening — do them in that order.
- The best free photo is from the lowest level at the edge of the panel, as a ray drifts by.
- Bring a light layer: the mall's air conditioning is chilly, especially for children.

## Questions

### How much are Dubai Aquarium tickets?

The main tank is free to view from the mall. The Silver pass (tunnel, Underwater Zoo, Penguin Cove) is around AED 199, Gold around AED 269 and Platinum around AED 399. Check the official site for today's price.

### Can you see Dubai Aquarium for free?

Yes. The giant panel faces the mall concourse, so you can watch sharks and rays without a ticket whenever the mall is open.

### What are Dubai Aquarium opening hours?

Daily: Monday–Friday 11:00–21:00, Saturday–Sunday 10:00–21:00, last entry 20:15. Hours change during Ramadan.

### How long do you need at Dubai Aquarium?

10–15 minutes for the free view; 60–90 minutes for the tunnel, Underwater Zoo and penguins; up to two hours with the boat and a feeding show.

### Is Dubai Aquarium worth it?

The free view is a must. The paid part is worth it with kids or if you love marine life; if you've seen big aquariums before, the free view may be enough.

### Which floor is Dubai Aquarium on?

The tank spans several levels of The Dubai Mall and is best seen from the lowest one; the Underwater Zoo is upstairs. Follow the Dubai Aquarium signs.

### How do I get to Dubai Aquarium by metro?

Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, then the covered link bridge — about 820 m, 10–15 minutes on foot. You need a Nol card for the metro.

### Is it the biggest aquarium in the world?

No. Guinness listed it in 2008 as the largest shopping-mall aquarium; the tank holds 10 million litres and around 33,000 animals.

### Is Dubai Aquarium the same as The Lost Chambers?

No. The Lost Chambers is a separate aquarium at Atlantis The Palm on Palm Jumeirah, with its own ticket.

## How we checked

Hours, passes and what they include come from the official aquarium website; it blocks automated access, so we checked its pages in the search index against the reseller Platinumlist — both give Mon–Fri 11:00–21:00, Sat–Sun 10:00–21:00 and last entry 20:15. The site's contact page still shows older hours until 23:00 and midnight; we show the newer ones. Pass prices differ between pages (Silver appears at both AED 199 and AED 269), so all prices are marked “verifying”. Tank volume, tunnel length, animal numbers, opening date and the Guinness record are checked against at least two sources; species counts differ (140 to 300), so we leave them out. Free entry for under-2s is unofficial. Metro timings and the bridge walk are marked “verifying”.

## Sources

- Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo official website: hours, Silver, Gold and Platinum passes, Penguin Cove, animal encounters, 03.11.2026
- Platinumlist (ticket seller): hours, child policy, tunnel, animal numbers, 03.11.2026
- The Dubai Mall official website: mall opening hours, 03.11.2026
- English and Russian Wikipedia: Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo; Wikidata Q4059427
- Travel guides on paying for the Dubai Metro with a Nol card (unofficial)

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