Abu Dhabi National Aquarium: Entry & Glass Bottom Boat

46,000 Animals in One Afternoon: Abu Dhabi's Underwater Tunnel & Rainforest

You get entry to all 10 zones, the underwater tunnel, and the rainforest in one visit. If you book the All Access pass, add a behind-the-scenes tour, glass bottom boat, and glass bridge walk. The whole experience takes 2–4 hours depending on how long you linger at each zone. No separate transport or tickets to arrange.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi

• Arrive at The National Aquarium
• Explore 10 unique theme zones
• Walk through underwater tunnel
• Visit National Geographic Pristine Seas Exhibition
• Discover Abu Dhabi's largest indoor rainforest
• Observe 46,000 marine animals
• Experience interactive touch pools
• Watch feeding sessions of marine life

The Experience

Most aquariums feel the same after the first tank. The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi doesn't. You walk in expecting the usual glass boxes, and instead you're standing inside the region's longest underwater tunnel with sharks and rays moving past you on three sides. The building sits right next to the Grand Mosque, so you're switching from desert heat and marble to a climate-controlled space with 10 completely different zones — coral reefs, deep-sea habitats, an indoor rainforest — all in one afternoon.

The 46,000 animals here aren't just on display. If you go for the All Access pass, you get a behind-the-scenes tour that takes you where the feeding happens, and a glass bottom boat ride that lets you see the tanks from angles most visitors miss. There's also a glass bridge walk that puts you suspended over the water. The touch pools are where kids (and honestly, adults too) spend longer than expected — you're handling starfish and rays, not just watching them behind acrylic. Feeding sessions run throughout the day, so you can time your visit around them if you want to see the animals actually move.

The National Geographic Pristine Seas Exhibition is the centerpiece, but what catches you is how the space flows. You're not herded through a single corridor; the zones branch off and loop back, so the pacing feels like your choice. The rainforest section is the size of a small building — humid, dense with plants, and full of creatures most people don't associate with aquariums. Wheelchairs and strollers move through easily, and there's public transport nearby if you're not driving.

What’s included

• Your entry includes access to all 10 theme zones, the underwater tunnel, the National Geographic Pristine Seas Exhibition, and the indoor rainforest.
• If you select the All Access pass, you also get a behind-the-scenes tour, a glass bottom boat ride, and a glass bridge walk.
• Feeding sessions are included and run throughout the day.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Holiyoyo Tours LLC

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to see a major aquarium without arranging separate transport or timing multiple attractions — everything is in one building next to the Grand Mosque, and the All Access pass removes the guesswork about what to do once you're inside.

Top questions

How long does a visit usually take?

Most visitors spend 2–4 hours. You can move through faster or stay longer at the touch pools and feeding sessions.

What's included in the All Access pass?

Entry to all zones, the behind-the-scenes tour, glass bottom boat ride, and glass bridge walk.

Can I bring a stroller or wheelchair?

Yes. Strollers are fine for infants and small children, and the aquarium is fully wheelchair accessible.

Are feeding sessions included?

Yes, you can watch them throughout the day at no extra cost. Times are posted at entry.

Is there parking or public transport?

Public transport options are available nearby. The aquarium is located next to the Grand Mosque in central Abu Dhabi.

What animals will I see?

Sharks, rays, colorful fish, jellyfish, and creatures from coral reefs and deep-sea habitats across the 10 zones.

Can I touch the animals?

Yes, in the interactive touch pools you can handle starfish and rays under supervision.