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Sand trails

The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi

4.7

(5,449)

Free Entry for Children

Multilingual Guides

No Hidden Fees

Penguin

Gentoo Says

Sea life up close, where kids' eyes light up and imaginations swim free. From sharks and rays to glowing jellyfish, it’s like walking through an ocean storybook.

Gentoo Penguin

What Visitors Say

T

T

January, 2026

5.0

I visited the National Aquarium Abu Dhabi and was absolutely amazed from beginning to end. We bought our tickets online but there wasn't a long queue. The experience is thoughtfully designed and beautifully immersive, with a sequence of themed rooms that take you through dramatic underwater environments, from a broken airplane to a shipwreck, and even a sunken submarine. The scale of the place is incredible. The aquarium is home to around 46,000 animals from more than 300 species, representing marine life from tropical reefs to deep ocean habitats across 10 different themed zones. This includes an astonishing variety of fish, rays, turtles, and many other creatures, so you’re constantly discovering something new as you walk through. About halfway through the visit there’s a small café, perfect for a quick break before you reach the highlight: the large walk-through aquarium. This final section is about five metres deep, with four different species of shark swimming overhead — an unforgettable way to end the journey. Even the smallest details are charming, like the ocean-themed toilets with shell-shaped sinks, which add a fun touch. There were a few groups of screaming overly excited children but they moved on quite quickly. For most of the rooms we were by ourselves. There is wifi and massage chairs which was a bit too rough.We spent about 90 mins here.Whether you love marine life or just enjoy spectacular, thoughtfully curated attractions, the National Aquarium is truly worth a visit.

A

Arundhati Shankar

January, 2026

5.0

The National Aquarium in Abu Dhabi was my favorite experience! The aquarium is beautifully designed, with a variety of habitats that truly bring the underwater and wildlife world to life. There are different types of tickets depending on the experience you want — general admission, combo experiences, or premium tickets that include special access to certain exhibits. It’s worth checking their website before visiting to choose what suits you best. The aquarium has a snow section where you can see unique animals and birds in a chilly, simulated environment — very different from the rest of the exhibits. There are also sections representing different habitats, from desert landscapes to coral reefs. My personal favorite was the tropical jungle section — it felt so alive! Birds flying around, turtles moving leisurely, and a variety of plants and smaller creatures made it feel like stepping into a real jungle. Every corner had something new to admire. Overall, it’s educational, fun, and visually stunning. A must-visit for families, nature lovers, or anyone looking for a unique experience in Abu Dhabi.

A

Ahmed Alkaabi

December, 2025

5.0

Our visit to The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi was truly exceptional. The entire experience was educational, engaging, and perfectly designed for families. The exhibits are beautifully arranged, the environment is clean and well-organized, and the variety of marine life is simply impressive. It’s a place where children learn while having fun, and adults enjoy every moment just as much. I would also like to extend special thanks and appreciation to Ms. Hanan, one of the staff members who made our visit unforgettable. She took the time to give my children a detailed explanation about how animals are examined, cared for, rehabilitated, and eventually released back into Abu Dhabi’s natural environment. Her passion, knowledge, and kindness truly stood out. She made the experience more meaningful and inspired my children to appreciate wildlife conservation. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Abu Dhabi—an amazing place with amazing people behind it.

K

Katherine Harris

January, 2026

5.0

Excellent aquarium in a lovely location. Great variety of different fish, amphibians, birds etc. to see and incredible information on ongoing conservation work both for animals and the environment as a whole. 30 minute taxi ride from the cruise port, I would highly recommend visiting! Unfortunately the butterfly house had not yet opened as it is new to the area and is expected to open 9th January 2026, however from the outside it looked great and just another reason to come back and visit.

M

Mariam

December, 2025

5.0

Such a beautiful and peaceful place. Very quiet and well organized. I visited alone and still enjoyed every moment. A truly unique experience—I saw different kinds of fish, insects, reptiles, plus birds and snakes. Definitely worth the visit!

Highlights

  • Dive into the Middle East's largest aquarium: home to 46,000 animals across 10 themed zones.

  • With All Access, go beyond the glass: walk the Glass Bridge, ride a Glass-Bottom Dhow, and go behind the scenes.

  • Don't miss the new Pristine Seas zone, a collaboration with National Geographic, offering ocean magic at its best.

  • Explore fascinating habitats: Red Sea wrecks teeming with corals, or Atlantic Caves where lobsters and sea sponges reside.

  • Learn about the aquarium's vital turtle rehabilitation efforts and the UAE's rich history as a pearl-diving community.

Access to the Aquarium Journey

Glass Bottom boat tour (If option selected)

Behind the scenes tour (If option selected)

Glass bridge walk (If option selected)

Access to the Pristine Seas exhibit zone (If option selected)

  • Children under 3 years old can join for free -no ticket needed for the little ones!

Things to Bring

  • Valid ID required to register for a free wheelchair
  • Jacket or layers (park temperatures vary)
  • Comfortable walking shoes

Not Permitted

  • Food and beverages inside the venue

Before You Visit

  • Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult (16+)
  • Children must be at least 1 year old to participate in activities
  • Participants must be able to wear a life jacket during activities
  • All Access Pass and Glass Bottom Boat Tour (Bu Tinah Dhow) are not recommended for pregnant guests
  • Wheelchairs are available free of charge on presentation of a valid ID at the counter
  • The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi Signage Guide App provides species info in Arabic, Chinese, English, Hindi, Russian and Spanish

Zones

  • UAE’s National Treasures: Focuses on the region’s marine heritage, including pearl fishing traditions.
  • Red Sea Wreck: Explore marine life around a simulated shipwreck in the Red Sea.
  • Atlantic Cave: Rocky caves with species like lobsters and sponges hiding in nooks.
  • The Sub: Experience life beneath the sea, like a submarine exploring aquatic depths.
  • Ring of Fire: Volcanic ocean zones showing how marine life survives extreme conditions.
  • Aqua Magic: Showcase of diverse ocean habitats and how species adapt to marine environments.
  • Frozen Ocean: Arctic and ice-covered waters with cold-water marine species.
  • The Flooded Forest: Rainforest ecosystem merged with aquatic environments; trees, birds, water life.
  • Bu Tinah Island: Coral reefs, mangroves and marine ecosystems inspired by the UAE’s Bu Tinah nature reserve.

Cancellation Policy

  • Non-refundable

  • Languages Offered: English, Arabic, Hindi, Spanish, Russian, Chinese

  • Opening Hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM

  • Opening Days: Daily

  • Accessibility: Wheelchair Available

Location

  • The National Aquarium of Abu Dhabi
    Rabdan, Al Qana, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

By Car

  • From anywhere in Abu Dhabi: Head to Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street and continue straight to reach Al Qana.
  • From Dubai: Drive via Sheikh Zayed Road (E11), then take the E22 exit to Al Maqta Street. Total travel time is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.

Parking

  • Al Qana guests have access to 3,000 free car parking spaces outdoors and underground on both the North and South sides of the venue.
  • Valet parking is available in front of the Aquarium.

By Bus

  • From Abu Dhabi: Take Bus Route 56, get off at Al Maqta, then walk to Al Qana / the aquarium entrance.
  • Alternative option: Use buses stopping at Rabdan Khaleej Al Arabi Street Bus Interchange on the south side of Al Qana; from there it’s a short walk to the entrance.
  • From Dubai: Take E100 or E101 buses to Abu Dhabi, then transfer to buses serving the aquarium area.
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From 29.95 USD / Per Ticket

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