U – Underwater Zoo & Aquarium | #AtoZChallenge

Underwater Zoo & Aquarium

U – Underwater Zoo & Aquarium | #AtoZChallenge #BlogchatterA2Z

We have been to a Zoo in the past and we have visited an aquarium but how many times you can say you have been to an Underwater Zoo. Well, not many! Let me take you on a mesmerizing trip of the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo.

Situated in the Dubai Mall, it is considered to be one of the largest and most amazing of aquariums in the world. The giant 10 million-liter tank at the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo contains more than 33,000 aquatic animals and the largest collection of sand tiger sharks anywhere.

It is also home to the world-famous gigantic King Croc – the largest crocodile in the world – my personal favorite. Don’t miss out getting a glimpse of it.

After you reach the counters at ground floor and purchase the tickets you can start from the underwater tunnel located at the ground floor itself. After you complete the tour, then you will head to the second floor to enjoy the rest of the zoo & aquarium. The exit is also on the second floor where you can buy souvenirs on the way back.

Aquarium Tank
It is home to more than 140 marine species. The huge captivating blue tank is the largest suspended aquarium tanks in the world. You will find a wide range of sharks, electric rays, and various other colorful fishes and aquatic animals. You will see more sand tiger sharks here than anywhere else in the world. When you go to the second floor, they will take you to a section where you can see how they breed these sharks.

Underwater Tunnel

After purchasing the ticket it will be the first thing you will experience. It is a 48 m long tunnel built over this huge aquarium tank. When walking through it you will feel as if you are inside the tank with the sharks and rays floating over your head. It is the best experience for kids and once inside I have seen a lot of adults turning into kids.

Underwater Zoo

After having the starters at the tunnel let’s head to the second floor for the main course known as Underwater Zoo. It comprises of three different sections, although one isn’t able to differentiate, Rainforest, Rocky Shore and Living Ocean. Through its 40 different display tanks, you will able to see some really amazing and peculiar underwater creatures like the Humboldt Penguin, Piranha, African Dwarf Crocodile, Giant Spider Crabs, Otters, Lionfish and so many more.

The ambiance inside is way too immersive. You will feel that you are taking a stroll through the Amazon. There are some really vibrant large parrots, which will be not caged and will be flying over your head. The noise of the nocturnal insects adds another layer of authenticity to the experience. After walking for about 30 min inside you will come across the superstar of the Zoo – the King Croc.

King Croc

One has to literally see it to believe it. The King Croc gives a slight peek into the prehistoric Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. If this one were so big, it would have been an all-different unimaginable feel when the dinosaurs walked around.
It is a massive 5 m long that weighs around 750 kg. They say that its head alone weighs around 150 kg. It has the highest bite force of any creature alive and its 60 beautiful pearly white sharp teeth can make a meal out of someone in no time. It is already 40 years old and is expected to live for the next 50 years. King croc is one of the most feared and powerful reptiles to have graced the planet.

UAE’s Night Creatures

Another latest edition inside the zoo is UAE’s night creatures segment. It is created as a dark alley with the inside of the display arenas designed to replicate the Arabian nightlife. It has some unique animal species that thrive in the desert environment. You can spot Arabian Toads, Fruit Bats, Giant Camel Spiders, Scorpions, False Cobra, Desert Hedgehogs, Barn Owl, Veiled Chameleons, Frog Eye Geckos, Ornate Spiny Tail Lizards and Cheesman’s Gerbils.

There plenty of places where you can take some really cool pictures. Special mention is that walkover rope bridge with large owls on both sides.

There are some wonderful aquatic adventure experiences that you can try inside the Zoo.

Shark Feeding Encounter

Wouldn’t it be cool that rather than the shark feeding on you, you are feeding them! You can get up-close and personal with the sharks where you can feed them too, of course under guidance. The 30 min experience is completely safe and something worth trying.

Cage Snorkeling

The size of the Aquarium Tank is huge for a reason – One can get inside the snorkeling gear and inside a big cage. The cage will then be lowered inside the tank where you will become a part of the marine life. No better way to watch hundreds of excited fishes circling around you.

Shark Dive

Whether you are a certified diver or not, you can experience a shark dive. Go take the plunge and make friends with some really scary and beautiful razor-sharp smiling sand tiger sharks.

Scuba Dive

Scared to dive deep in a sea or an ocean, well you can try your hands at scuba diving inside the zoo. After a quick theory lesson from the instructor, you can dive and experience what it is like breathing underwater.

VRZOO

There is a section where you can enjoy the aquatic experience through a virtual reality setup. Not a fan of the real foul smelling creatures, don’t worry, try the VR experience.
For all the kids who believe they have a marine biologist hidden in them, they too can experience the life of a professional aquarist. There are two packages for that – Junior (5-15 year old) and Senior Aquarists (8-15 year old).

Tickets and Timings

The basic ticket starts from AED 130 and it goes up depending on the experience and adventures you want to go for.
Junior Aquarist – AED 157.50 / Child
Senior Aquarist – AED 262.50 / Child
Timings: 10 am to 12 midnight everyday.

What are you waiting for – go become a kid for a day – swim with the sharks, float with the rays and dive deep into the mesmerizing world of Underwater Zoo.

For all those who love marine life,
For all those who want to feed sharks,
For all those who swim with the rays,
And
For all those who want to be a part of the Underwater Zoo…
It’s not a goodbye,
But it’s a GOOD BYE.

Manas ‘Sameer’ Mukul

This is the 21th post for the #AtoZChallenge #BlogchatterA2Z. My theme in Travel Category is ‘Dubai – the City of Gold’, where I would be covering everything about the city in the course of 26 posts.
Read the Previous post here: Dubai – City of Gold
Please do visit tomorrow for the next post with the letter ‘V’
I am also taking part in the #AtoZChallenge #BlogchatterA2Z using another theme –‘IPL – Indian Parliamentary League’. If you are keen on following key issues pertaining to the upcoming General Elections head over to the Politics Theme and share your feedback.