Dubai Aquarium & Penguin Cove: Underwater Tunnel & Zoo Tickets

You'll Walk Under 11 Meters of Water & Stand Inches From Live Penguins

You walk through a 48-meter underwater tunnel surrounded by sharks and rays, then step into Penguin Cove to meet live Gentoo penguins up close. The experience includes the Aquarium tunnel, Underwater Zoo with three ecological zones and 40 displays, and the immersive penguin habitat. E-tickets arrive by email. The entire venue is wheelchair accessible and located in the Dubai Mall.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Dubai Aquarium and Penguin Cove

• Enter Dubai Aquarium tunnel
• Walk 11 meters under water
• Visit Underwater Zoo on Level Two
• Explore Rainforest, Rocky Shore, Living Ocean zones
• See aquatic animals in 40 displays
• Visit Penguin Cove habitat
• Observe and learn about Gentoo penguins

The experience

There's something that stops you cold the first time you step into that tunnel. The water is above your head, actually above your head, and the sharks are moving past the glass like they own the place. The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo sits on the ground floor of the Dubai Mall, and that 48-meter tunnel is the thing everyone talks about afterward. You're walking through 10 million liters of water with over 400 sharks and rays, Sand Tiger Sharks and Giant Groupers and things you didn't know had names. It's not a quick walk-through. You stop, you look, you feel the weight of it.

The Penguin Cove is the part that changes the day. It's on Level Two, and it's designed so you can actually step inside their habitat, not behind glass, not from a distance. The Gentoo penguins are there, and the space recreates the Sub-Antarctic environment so carefully that it feels less like a zoo and more like you've walked into their world instead of the other way around. Kids press their faces to the glass. Adults go quiet. You learn how they move, how they behave, the small details that make them more than just a photo op. It's the kind of encounter that stays with you.

After Penguin Cove, the Underwater Zoo spreads across three ecological zones (Rainforest, Rocky Shore, Living Ocean), with 40 individual displays. Otters, piranhas, lionfish, giant spider crabs, seahorses, garden eels. The rhythm of it is gentle. You move at your own pace through each zone. There's no rush, no guide herding you along. The whole experience is wheelchair accessible, and e-tickets arrive by email the day before, so you just show your phone at the entrance and you're in. Bring a valid photo ID or passport. That's required at the door.

What’s included

• Your visit includes access to the 48-meter Aquarium tunnel with views of 400+ sharks and rays, the Underwater Zoo with three ecological zones (Rainforest, Rocky Shore, Living Ocean) and 40 individual aquatic displays, and the Penguin Cove immersive habitat where you encounter live Gentoo penguins.
• E-tickets are sent by email one day before your visit date, and you can enter during any opening hours on your selected date.
• The entire venue is wheelchair accessible.

Options for this experience

3 options

Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo ticket including Penguin Cove23 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 21:00Silver Pass: Entry to the Dubai Aquarium Tunnel, the Dubai Aquarium Underwater Zoo, and the Penguin Cove & Nursery, with combined admission to the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo with Penguin Cove. The last entry time is 9 pm, so please arrive at least 30 minutes before.

Gold Pass experience19 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 19:00Ultimate Experience: Entry to the Dubai Aquarium Tunnel, the Dubai Aquarium Underwater Zoo, the Penguin Cove & Nursery, and a Glass Boat Tour. Important note: Aqua Feast is subject to availability, and a 30% discount applies to one Animal Encounter, also subject to availability. AED 20 is included for food and beverages.

With private transportation22 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 20:30Admission tickets for the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo with Penguin Cove, plus round-trip private transportation from anywhere in Dubai to the attraction and back to your hotel. The visit times listed below are your check-in points at the attraction, and pickup will take place 1 hour and 30 minutes before the selected time.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day23 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 21:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2): free

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

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Royal Smart Tourism

Is this one for you?Right for anyone who wants to see the aquarium's main attractions (the tunnel, the zoo, and the penguins) without arranging separate tickets or figuring out the layout yourself. The e-ticket system means you skip the box office line and go straight in.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2): free.

How long does the whole visit take?

The itinerary doesn't specify a total duration, but most visitors spend 2–3 hours moving through the tunnel, Underwater Zoo zones, and Penguin Cove at a comfortable pace.

Is Penguin Cove included in all ticket options?

Penguin Cove is included if you select the tour grade that features it. Standard tickets may not include this encounter, so confirm at booking.

Do I need to print my ticket?

No. E-tickets arrive by email one day before your visit. You can show them directly from your smartphone at the entrance.

Is the venue wheelchair accessible?

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

What do I need to bring?

A valid photo ID or passport is required and must be shown at the entrance.

What if I arrive late?

Failure to arrive on time results in a no-show. No rescheduling or refund will be provided.

Are there animals besides penguins and sharks?

Yes. The Underwater Zoo features otters, piranhas, lionfish, giant spider crabs, seahorses, garden eels, archerfish, water rats, paddlefish, cichlids and over 140 species total across 40 displays.