Tuesday 19 January 2016

The Aquarium and Underwater Zoo at Dubai Mall with #AnimalTales and #HDYGG

The kids keep promising they'll come with me when they are over in Dubai for their holidays, but then we never seem to get round to going so I decided to go to the aquarium on my own.


Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is located in Dubai Mall, the world's largest mall, so there is no surprise then to discover that the aquarium holds many records also.

The most fascinating one being that the view below contains the world's largest single piece of acrylic panel which weighs 45,000kgs and measure 32.8 m x 8.3 m and is 750 mm thick.


It is also the world's biggest indoor aquarium. The tank is 51m x 20m x 11m and contains 10 million litres of water and has 33,000 aquatic animals from over 200 species.







You can view the aquarium from the outside from 3 floors. 


And from the back on the 3rd floor

I opted for the Researcher ticket at AED 100, which gave me access to the tunnel, behind the scenes and the underwater zoo. I also got to see King Croc and the feeding of the penguins. There is an additional charge to feed the fish, watch King Croc being fed, take a glass bottom tour and many other things.



You could watch the penguin feeding for free


I felt incredibly sea sick when I walked through the tunnel and surprised at how short the tunnel was as it seems much bigger from the outside. On exiting the tunnel, I had to leave the area and go up the escalators next to the rain forest cafe and discovered I could see the other side of the tank for free on the floor, which will be a nice thing to show future visitors who may not want to actually visit inside.





I was disappointed with the 'behind the scenes' area, there was little information available and we were ushered through each area, as we were passed from guide to guide.






The underwater zoo though was lovely and I was free to take my time and wander around, there are coffee and gift shops inside, loads of information of the fish, but not actually as many fish as I thought I would see compared to other aquariums I've visited around the world.

I loved the glass walk ways and especially loved watching the other visitors actually walk around them rather than on them, I did the same up the CN tower earlier this year, I'm more than happy to walk on the glass as you can see.



I was impressed with the decoration of the Underwater Zoo, despite the plants and flowers being artificial it was rather life like and made me feel like I was actually in a real environment, especially with the rope bridges in the jungle area which led to the bat and insect caves.




 Of course the underwater plants were real 








31 comments:

  1. Well done to you for going to the aquarium on your own... I've started venturing out on my own a lot since my daughters left for uni. Thanks for sharing your lovely photos... I think my favourite is the frog trying to escape from its tank x

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    1. the trouble is that I do a lot of things on my own, although hubby is happy to come with me, it's not long before he starts to ask if I'm ready to go now and it irrates me, so i just went on my own

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  2. oh Wow this looks amazing. I love aquariums and sea worlds. It's so fun. I particularly like ones in other countries too...the one in NZ where i came from is fantastic and this looks and sounds great too!

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    1. when i thought about it i realised I've visited quite a few aquariums around the world, San Francisco, Monterary, Durban, Cape Town as well as across Europe and the UK

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  3. What an amazing aquarium, I bet it was breathtaking. I really am struggling to imagine the size of that tank, it's amazing. #animaltales

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    1. It's half the size of a football pitch, it amazes me every time i visit the mall

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  4. wow what an amazing thing to have in a shopping mall, I hope it is strong as I would not like it to crack and break.
    I would not walk on the glass floor either, that would freak me out.
    LOve the pic of your octopus and the jelly fish look fab.
    I think I wuld have to visit this regularly, shame you have taken so long to get there and that the children have missed out on seeing it.

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    1. there's an ice rink in this mall also and the Mall of Emirates has the world's largest indoor ski dome

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  5. I love aquariums and I particularly love to see them in different parts of the world as they all zero in on very different species. This one looks absolutely spectacular and I hope I'll get a chance to visit soon.

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    1. do let me know when you're in Dubai, we could wander around the aquarium together

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  6. What an enormous aquarium! The birds were a real surprise. You've got some really great shots there.

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    1. thank you, i spent a fair few hours just ambling around

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  7. I knew it was going to be big and trust Dubai to pack in as many crowd pullers as possible! It's a pity the behind the scenes was a bit disappointing though but overall it looks like a very interesting place to visit. Thank you for adding another great post to #AnimalTales

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    1. thank you Rosie, next week I answer the Question 'Does a bear shit in the woods?'

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  8. Gosh what a lot of colour. I love those colourful starfish! #HDYGG

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    1. I really need several more visits to capture it all

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  9. Wow, that place is huge! A shame it wasn't exactly as expected but it still sounds like you had a wonderful time exploring on your own.

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    1. i think next visit i'll opt for the full package when my friend comes to visit in March

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  10. I was going to say it looked large from your first picture and then I remembered where it was! Looks a great day out - and sometimes it's just easier to go on your own and be done with it :)

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    1. exactly and it's nice to be able to share it all on social media with people who are interested rather than dragging hubby and the kids around

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  11. Looks like everything in Dubai is bigger and bigger!! That aquarium looks amazing. Hubby sounds like mine, so I end up doing most things by myself. It is one thing dealing with a child who is ready to leave the minute you get to your destination it is another thing dealing with an adult :)

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    1. it's easier to bribe kids i've discovered from experience

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  12. I love aquariums and I've not been to one in ages. I may have to find one for us to go to at half term. I can't believe the size of some of the tanks! I guess nothing in Dubai is done in a small scale.

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    1. I've visited many aquariums around the world, although this one is big, it's not the best I've been to

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  13. my daughter would freak out!!! that is quite impressive. wow!

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    1. sometimes when i walk past it, i fail to notice it now

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  14. That huge aquarium is really impressive! And that researcher ticket option is great - keeping up those facilities running, taking care of the inhabitants, not an easy task. #travelathome

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