Dubai Aquarium Tickets & Penguin Cove Experience at Dubai Mall

Summary

Explore Marine Life at Dubai Mall: Underwater Zoo & Penguin Cove

You’ll get face-to-face with sharks and rays in one of the world’s largest aquariums, stroll through a tunnel surrounded by sea life, and meet penguins and King Croc—all without leaving Dubai Mall. It’s easy to access and packed with surprises for all ages.

What’s the experience like?

Honestly, I didn’t expect to be so drawn in by an aquarium inside a shopping mall. But as soon as we stepped into the cool air of the Dubai Mall and caught that first glimpse of the massive tank—10 million liters, they say—I just stopped. There’s this faint salty tang in the air and a low hum from families crowding around the glass. You can stand right up close and watch sand tiger sharks glide past your nose. It’s wild how close you get. Our guide, Ahmed, pointed out a stingray that looked like it was smiling for photos—he said she’s kind of famous here.

The underwater tunnel is something else. It’s 48 meters long but feels longer when you’re surrounded by swirling schools of silver fish overhead. At one point, a group of kids squealed when a giant grouper drifted above them—honestly, I jumped too. We wandered up to the Underwater Zoo after (it’s upstairs), where you can meet penguins waddling around their chilly cove and see King Croc—he’s huge, almost prehistoric looking. There are little signs everywhere with facts about each animal; I learned there are over 150 species here. If you’re feeling adventurous, there’s even cage snorkeling or glass-bottom boat rides (we stuck to dry land this time). The whole place is wheelchair accessible and stroller-friendly—saw plenty of families making a day of it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Dubai Aquarium

• The Dubai Mall Aquarium visit

Top questions

Is it suitable for young children or strollers?

Yes! The entire aquarium and zoo are stroller-friendly and safe for kids. Saw lots of families with little ones when we visited.

Can I buy tickets on the spot or should I book ahead?

You can sometimes get tickets at the entrance, but weekends get busy fast—I’d recommend booking online to skip lines.

Are there any adventure activities available?

Yep! You can try cage snorkeling or take a glass-bottom boat ride if you want something extra exciting.

How long does it usually take to visit everything?

If you want to see both the aquarium and zoo (plus Penguin Cove), plan for about 2 hours—maybe more if you linger like we did.

What’s included

Your ticket covers entry to both the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo—including Penguin Cove. Everything’s wheelchair accessible, so everyone can join in comfortably.