Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo

I was undeniably in awe when I first got to see the Dubai Aquarium when I first set foot on The Dubai Mall on my first weekend in Dubai. A lot of firsts eh? But I don't think that will top Dubai when it comes to firsts and world records. :p

Another one of Dubai's world record title-holders, the 10-million-liter Dubai Aquarium tank is one of the largest indoor aquariums and is the largest suspended aquarium in the world. I was very excited when Mark brought me here again for a close encounter with the aquatic life.

We availed of the Ultimate Aquarium Package for AED 110.00 per person, which includes a tour around the Aquarium Tunnel, Underwater Zoo, and Glass-bottom Boat Ride.

The huge aquarium was already fascinating from the outside much more when we got in and saw an even larger array of the marine life.

The Dubai Aquarium houses thousands of aquatic animals with over 140 species. It also has over 300 sharks and rays including the largest collection of Sand Tiger sharks in the world.

It holds the Guinness World Record for the The Single Largest Acrylic Panel.

I was enslaved by the wonderful view that I felt sad when I reached the end of the tunnel. Mark, being the one who always picks on me, also said that our adventure is already over which even made me feel bad.

I really felt bad and felt that something was missing until Mark led me to the upper deck which made my eyes light up and my heart jump for joy knowing that it was not the end of our adventure after all! :D

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo also offers a range of unparalleled leisure adventure experiences for visitors including Shark Dives, Cage Snorkeling and Glass-bottom boat rides. We only availed of the latter and were able to somehow experience how it's like to be underwater because of the glass-bottom boats.

After the boat ride, we headed next to the Underwater Zoo.

It houses tens of thousands of aquatic animals, most of which I only got to see for the first time.

There were also some penguins and something which looks like a huge rat.

We also got to have a close encounter with the star of the Underwater Zoo, the King Croc!

Weighing in at a whopping 750kgs and measuring over 5m in length, this massive wonder of the animal kingdom, which is also nature's most feared and powerful reptile, definitely was no match with my own King! :p

Well of course the above was just a replica of the real thing. But it looked so real that I thought of running for dear life when I saw it from afar. Hahaha!

The King Croc, the real thing, was at the aquarium just a few walks away from the replica. It. Was. So. Gigantic!!!

The King Croc was sleeping when we got there so we didn't get the chance to see him in action, but one of the attractions which visitors always await is the King Croc feeding. There's also another croc in the aquarium, relatively smaller but still huge, a female croc, which has been the King Croc's companion for 20 years.

Just right before the exit to the Underwater Zoo is an exhibit of the King Croc which shows how massive of a reptile he is!

Our tickets include a voucher of 20.00 AED each which may be used in the souvenirs section just right before the exit, so Mark got me this pink flamingo plush for 55.00 AED.

Although it was tiring, the experience was definitely fun as it not only filled my heart with awe and happiness but also my mind new learnings. So glad and blessed to have experienced another first in Dubai! :)

More photos HERE :)

DUBAI AQUARIUM & UNDERWATER ZOO
The Dubai Mall
Doha Street, Off 1st Interchange - Sheikh Zayed Road
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
www.thedubaiaquarium.com
Operating Hours: 10:00am - 12:00am (7 days/week), Last admission: 11:30pm
Nearest Metro Station: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Maill (Red Line)