Holidays in Dubai have long been loved by our compatriots. They appreciated the luxurious white beaches, gentle ocean waves, beautiful and comfortable hotels for every taste and, of course, shopping centers. They are the pride of the city. Here you can not only go to boutiques and dine in cozy restaurants, but also have fun with the whole family. Especially suitable for these purposes is the most famous shopping center “Dubai Mall”. The oceanarium located here is always very crowded. It is here that both adults and children strive to get. After all, this aquarium is considered one of the largest in the world. This fact alone makes him worthy of attention. Today we will tell you everything about the Dubai Aquarium, including interesting facts about it and secrets that allow families to save some money while visiting this unusual place.
brief information
The oceanarium in Dubai is actually rightly called the "aquarium." However, in English these words are pronounced the same way, but in Russian there are noticeable differences. However, we will nevertheless talk about this place mainly as an aquarium, because this is what is written in all guidebooks and advertising booklets.
The aquarium is located very close to the entrance to the shopping center. It is located on two floors, the third is an underwater zoo. The volume of the aquarium is ten million liters.
Visitors to the mall can watch the thirty thousand marine life. Of great interest are sharks and stingrays, there are about four hundred species in the aquarium.
A tunnel passes through the aquarium. Its length is forty-eight meters, many visitors enthusiastically talk about what incredible sensations a walk through this tunnel causes.
The water temperature in the Dubai Aquarium does not drop below twenty-four degrees Celsius. It is in such conditions that the tropical inhabitants of the seas feel comfortable.
Interesting Facts
The Oceanarium in the Dubai Mall can tell a lot about itself. Many call it the largest in the world, but this is not so. But he still has his own record. One of the walls of the aquarium is made of high-strength acrylic glass. She is the pride of this place. The wall has a thickness of seventy-five centimeters and a height of eight and a half meters. It holds almost two hundred and forty-five tons of water and allows all visitors to see the diversity of the underwater world.
Few people know that nine years ago the aquarium was nearly closed. Sand sharks settled here, which for some reason suddenly began to destroy reef sharks. In nature, this never happens, so oceanologists could not understand what was the reason for such strange behavior of predators. Until now, they have not found out, but gradually the sharks calmed down.
Seven years ago in February, an emergency at the aquarium led to the evacuation of all visitors to the mall. Rangers noticed a leak in the acrylic glass, water seeped through it, and this could destroy almost the entire entertainment center.
Experienced travelers are advised not to take photos while walking through the tunnel. Its curved walls reflect light, so the pictures are not of the best quality. If you want to brag to your friends after a holiday with magnificent photographs, then take them near the two-story wall. This is where the best place to shoot.
Schedule
The opening hours of the aquarium at the Dubai Mall will help you plan your trip to the mall and spend it profitably. From ten in the morning until eleven in the evening the aquarium is open on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday. In the remaining days of the week, he works one hour longer.
Paid or free?
View the inhabitants of the oceanarium is absolutely free. If you spent money on shopping, then just stand near the huge acrylic glass. From this place all sea inhabitants are perfectly looked through. Many are ready to stand idle for hours and then gladly talk about what they managed to see.
But those who want to fully experience all the opportunities that the oceanarium gives visitors should still get a ticket and be inside. Moreover, visitors purchase various package tickets. They represent a whole entertainment program, which can then be remembered with pleasure for a long time.
Oceanarium: features
Every visitor should know that the aquarium consists of two parts. On the first two floors is located directly an aquarium with marine inhabitants. You can inspect it from below from the tunnel and from above while walking on a boat with a transparent bottom.
On the third floor is an underwater zoo. It contains not only marine inhabitants, but also other animals that are in no way connected with water.
What to see in the aquarium?
It is quite difficult to answer this question, because even an ordinary calm walk through the tunnel brings visitors incredible pleasure. It is especially interesting to come here at two in the afternoon, when sharks are fed. If you find yourself in the aquarium at ten in the morning, you can see how stingrays eat.
Keep in mind that the entry ticket to the Dubai Oceanarium in the price includes a mandatory visit to the tunnel. You can’t save on this, because only ticket tickets are sold at the box office.
Features of the underwater zoo
Here you can also walk for several hours. Visitors have the opportunity to visit all three thematic areas:
- ocean;
- a tropical forest;
- Rocky coast.
It should be noted right away that not every tourist notices when he crosses the border of one zone and ends up in another. Forty aquariums and aviaries of different sizes are so competently placed that they completely occupy the attention of visitors.
It is difficult to describe all the inhabitants that adults and children can meet in the zoo. A real storm of emotions is caused by funny penguins, nocturnal animals of the UAE, piranha and unusual fish “splatter”, which knows how to beat down insects flying by a stream of water.
Also, do not miss the double-breathing fish and giant crabs, these representatives of the animal world deserve close attention.
Dubai Aquarium: ticket and program prices
The aquarium in the entertainment center offers a large selection of programs that turn the ordinary viewing of marine life into an incredible adventure:
- Snorkeling in the cage. Thirty minutes in a cage will make a lasting impression on you. Indeed, at arm's length, there will be stingrays, sharks and other inhabitants of the deep sea. The ticket price ranges from eighty dollars.
- Walk on a boat with a transparent bottom. This entertainment lasts about fifteen minutes, but brings a lot of positive emotions. The boat includes ten people, on average, everyone pays eight dollars. This walk is popular for its low cost.
- The Oceanarium at the Dubai Mall offers a shocking encounter with sharks. Daredevils put on a special helmet and start up in a cage in water. For almost half an hour they will be dangerously close to graceful predators. This adventure is worth one hundred and fifty dollars.
- Diving with sharks. If you have always dreamed of swimming with predators, then this is your chance. Aquarium instructors suggest doing this for beginners and certified divers. The cost of the program varies from one hundred eighty to two hundred and forty dollars. The price includes a twenty-minute dive, equipment rental and a training lesson.
- Professional diving program with sharks. In this case, visitors are offered a subscription for three dives with video for five hundred and ten dollars. Visitors themselves decide how many days to stretch this pleasure.
The oceanarium also offers educational programs, but they are conducted only in Arabic and English.
Admission price
If you do not want to purchase a ticket with an entertainment program, then go to the ticket office of the underwater zoo. For 900 rubles ($ 15) you will get the opportunity to visit the zoo itself and the oceanarium tunnel.
Children up to three years old can become visitors to the aquarium absolutely free of charge, for an older child a small discount is provided. But usually the difference between an adult and a child ticket does not exceed two dollars.
Tourists reviews
Travelers almost unanimously call this aquarium “an amazing place” that you want to visit more than once. Visitors like absolutely everything here, with the exception of expensive souvenirs at the exit and a large number of people at almost any time of the day.
It is worth noting that this is not the only aquarium in Dubai. The oceanarium in Atlantis also often delights tourists, but they still give preference to the one located in the entertainment center Dubai Mall.
Therefore, include it in the list of places you must visit during your holidays in the UAE. Here you and your children will definitely like it.