Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, Public aquarium in Downtown Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is a public aquarium in Downtown Dubai offering a 48-meter-long tunnel with transparent walls. Over 33,000 marine animals swim above and around visitors, while the upper floor divides into zones showing different ecological areas.
The facility opened in 2010 as part of the Dubai Mall complex and introduced technical solutions for large-scale saltwater tanks in a desert setting. Its integration into the shopping center brought a new concept for public education facilities in the region.
The facility's name reflects its two-level design, with the main tank on the ground floor and the upper zone dedicated to specialized habitats. Visitors can observe sandbar sharks and rays up close, which combines the presentation of local Gulf species with tropical examples.
The building opens daily at 10 in the morning, with closing time at 22:15 on weekdays and 23:15 on weekends. Tickets can be purchased online or directly at the entrance, and access is through the ground floor of Dubai Mall.
The tunnel allows visitors to observe sharks and rays from an unusually short distance while staying at eye level with the animals. The technical system maintains separate temperature zones within the same building to keep tropical and cooler water areas side by side.
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