We recently took a trip down to Abu Dhabi to visit family and friends. Whilst there we decided to pass by National Aquarium.
We arrived there at 11am roughly and found the aquarium not too crowded. Loved how they categorized all exhibits with a touch screen sharing the fishes you with an opportunity to learn some fun facts about each of them.
Admission ticket:
General admission : 100aed
General admission + behind the scene:130aed
All inclusive with glass boat:180aed
(Fazaa Members get a discount)
Website: https://thenationalaquarium.ae/
Parking:
Recommend using the basement parking, using the escalator and walking towards the entrance.
Additional information:
We were allowed to take food and drinks for kids.
Staff available as and when required.
Feeding time is around 11-12 noon.
Washrooms available
Cafeteria available
We loved exploring all exhibits. Our top 3 favourite were The Flooded Forest, Ocean Magic and Bu Tinah Island
UAE's Natural Treasures
We first entered UAE's Natural Treasures where we found sharks, a tank of Firefish, Arabian lagoon and beautiful turtles with glass windows on a foot bridge that allowed us to see them swim under us.
Red Sea Wreck
Moving forward we entered a room that was created like a shipwreck. There was a projector displaying how pearl diving is an important part of UAEs history.
There were mini aquariums with sea horses, puffer fish, sea urchin, hermit crab Apitasian, shrimps and Giants of the Red Sea.
We were right on time for their feeding and got to see them in action.
Atlantic Cave
The interiors looked like a deep dark cave. We got to see Horseshoe Crab. The bubble window displays were mesmerizing as it created a magnifying view of these beautiful aquatic beings. This section had various exhibits nestled around each captivating us.
The Sub
This zone had the interiors of a submarine. allowing you to experience a whole new world around you. This was a much smaller section as compared to the rest.
Ring of fire
This zone has a video displaying tectonic plates and how it affects marine life. There's a lovely exhibit where family can get in the bubble to click some pictures with Yellow tangs swimming around.
Ocean Magic is mesmerizing glow in the dark exhibit is a beauty to your eyes from shark eggs, flash light fish, Pineapple fish and so much more. With a car tank and a phone booth tank. You can find two machines to get a aquatic gold coin for 10aed. There is a display made of sand projecting the different landforms in UAE.
Frozen Ocean exhibit that displays birds and aquatics with the interiors resembling icebergs and caves.
You will find a cafeteria serving Tea/ coffee, food items and a good variety of gelato ice creams to choose from. The washrooms are located here too with diaper changing and handicapped facility.
The Flooded forest is an exhibit with long ropes to avoid birds from getting out. Yup, you heard that right. If you are Ornithophobia (Fear of Birds) then you will have to skip this one. As birds are freely flying all around this exhibit.
This was one of my favourite exhibits. Its a rainforest created bringing birds, Squirrel monkeys and Capybara together.
It even has a shark tank and a childrens play area containing interactive play like hit the shark with a ball, design and name your own animal, a wall with facts of Sharks, A bird cage with two Macaw Parrots running, hanging, squawking through their cage filled with obstacle courses for them.
Bu Tinah Island
We slowed down here and decided to sit and watch these beauties upclose. As we played ispy we spotted some fishes we didnt know a lot about and could explore more information through 3 huge touch screens. Kids enjoyed this space and nobody bothered us to get up.
The glass tunnel is gorgeous seeing the small baby fishes to big sting ray, sharks, hammer head sharks and so much more. A great spot to get a family picture with some good lighting.
This is the last exhibit after which you can find a Cafeteria that serves lunch/ dinner.
Here we took the lift to head to the top floor to start our 'Behind the scene' Tour.
We had to wait for around 15 mins after which we were escorted by a young gentleman who talked us through the whole process whilst asking questions to kids. It was amazing to see rescued turtles, baby jelly fish, Shark eggs and shrimp eggs.
We even got to say hello to a big Monitor Lizard and feed fishes towards the end.
All in all its worth a visit with so much to learn and discover. We will definitely be back for more. We didn't get to try out the Glass boat as we had little ones.
If you do visit I'd love to hear all about it.
Feel free to drop your comments and reach out if you have any questions.