Abu Dhabi National Aquarium: 46,000 Animals & Glass Bridge Walk

46,000 creatures in 10 zones, and you walk above the sharks through glass

You walk through ten aquarium zones housing 46,000 animals, including 200+ sharks and rays, then ride a glass-bottom boat above the Bu Tinah Tunnel to watch creatures swim beneath you. A Behind-the-Scenes Tour shows you the conservation work and animal care that runs the place. Admission includes all three, and the whole visit is wheelchair accessible from entry to exit.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi

• Enter The National Aquarium
• Visit ten aquarium zones
• Walk the Glass Bridge
• Take Behind the Scenes tour

The experience

The sharks are already circling below the glass bridge when you step onto it. That's the thing about The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi. The moment you arrive, you're not easing in. The Glass Bridge Walk puts you five to seven minutes directly above the Bu Tinah Tunnel, watching stingrays glide past your feet and reef sharks move through water so clear you can count their teeth. It's the kind of thing that sounds gimmicky until you're actually standing there, and then it's just quiet and strange and real.

The aquarium itself spreads across ten zones, each one designed to feel like you've traveled somewhere else. You move from UAE's Natural Treasures into the Red Sea Wreck, then through an Atlantic Cave, The Sub, the Ring of Fire: the names alone tell you the curators thought about pacing. There are 46,000 animals total, 200 sharks and rays alone across 25 species, and the place doesn't feel crowded or overwhelming the way some aquariums do. The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi was built with education at its core. 80 sea-life experts work here, and that shows in how the tanks are lit, labeled, and arranged. You're not just looking at fish. You're learning why they matter.

The Behind-the-Scenes Tour is the part that changes how you see the whole place. You get into the conservation zone, watch how the animals are actually cared for, and hear from staff about the Wildlife Rescue Program: the aquarium's mission to rehabilitate native creatures and release them back into Abu Dhabi waters. It's not a quick walk-through. It's the machinery of the place, and it makes the ten zones feel less like an attraction and more like something that matters. The Frozen Ocean and Flooded Forest zones are there too, but the real draw is standing in front of a tank knowing someone in that room has spent years keeping what's inside alive.

Wheelchair access is full throughout: all areas, surfaces, and transportation options nearby are accessible, and strollers work fine if you're bringing small children. You can spend two hours here or four. There's no rush, and the pacing is yours. Entry is timed, so you're not negotiating a queue at the door.

What’s included

Your admission includes the full Aquarium Journey across all ten zones, the Glass Bridge Walk (a 5–7 minute glass-bottom boat ride above the Bu Tinah Tunnel), and the Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the conservation zone where you learn how the 80 sea-life experts care for the 46,000 animals.

Options for this experience

6 options

Standard entry to the aquariumGuide in English · 10:00

Full day behind-the-scenes accessGuide in English · 10:00Goes behind the scenes through the ten zones and includes the glass bridge walk, for a long visit.

Feeding session with the fish includedGuide in English · 10:00Includes the aquarium journey, glass bottom boat, glass bridge walk, a behind-the-scenes visit and a fish feeding, lasting two hours.

See 3 more options

Shark dive for certified diversGuide in English · 12:30, 14:30, 16:30 and 18:30An underwater dive among the sharks at the aquarium, open only to certified divers.

Scuba dive for beginnersGuide in English · 12:30, 14:30, 16:30 and 18:30A scuba dive suited to beginners in the largest aquarium in the Middle East.

VIP package for up to five guestsGuide in English · No fixed timePrivate guided tour with a meet and greet, dhow ride, drinks and snacks from La Ballena Cafe, and five VIP entries.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 18:30

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by The National Aquarium

Is this one for you?Right for anyone who wants to see marine life up close without arranging separate activities: the Glass Bridge Walk and Behind-the-Scenes Tour are built into one ticket, and the ten-zone layout means you control the pace and can spend as much time as you want at each stop.

Traveler reviews

4.95★★★★★★★★★★

1,820 verified traveler reviews

5 ★1,746

4 ★67

3 ★3

2 ★3

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

How long does the Glass Bridge Walk take?

Five to seven minutes. It's a mini boat with a glass bottom that travels above the Bu Tinah Tunnel.

What's included in the Behind-the-Scenes Tour?

Access to the conservation zone, a look at how animals are cared for, and information about the Wildlife Rescue Program.

How many zones are there?

Ten. They include UAE's Natural Treasures, Red Sea Wreck, Atlantic Cave, The Sub, Ring of Fire, Ocean Magic, Frozen Ocean, Flooded Forest, Bu Tinah Island, and Back of House.

Is the aquarium wheelchair accessible?

Yes. All areas, surfaces, and nearby transportation options are wheelchair accessible. Strollers are also fine.

How many animals are in the aquarium?

46,000 animals across all zones, including more than 200 sharks and rays representing 25 different species.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are welcome.

Is there public transportation nearby?

Yes, public transportation options are available near the aquarium.