Best Aquariums and Zoos in Dubai and Abu Dhabi (2026)
Between the two emirates there are more marine and wildlife attractions than most visitors realise, ranging from a floor-to-ceiling aquarium inside a shopping mall to an indoor rainforest built around a man-made tree.
Quick answer: Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo (inside The Dubai Mall) and The Green Planet (an indoor rainforest) are Dubai's top picks; National Aquarium Abu Dhabi and Emirates Park Zoo lead in Abu Dhabi. Dubai Crocodile Park and Dubai Dolphinarium round out the specialist options.
Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
Set inside The Dubai Mall, the aquarium's main tank holds over 10 million litres of water behind one of the largest acrylic viewing panels in the world, visible for free from the mall's ground floor. Paid tickets add a glass-bottom boat ride, an underwater zoo level with penguins and otters, and a walk-through tunnel.
The Green Planet: an indoor rainforest
- Built around a 25-metre artificial tree housing the majority of its plant and animal life
- Kept at rainforest-level humidity and temperature year-round regardless of Dubai's outside climate
- Four levels represent different rainforest zones, from canopy to forest floor
- Home to sloths, birds, reptiles and free-flying butterflies in a controlled environment
Abu Dhabi: National Aquarium and Emirates Park Zoo
National Aquarium Abu Dhabi organises its tanks by ocean and habitat region rather than one central feature tank, with a strong emphasis on rescue and rehabilitation of injured marine animals. Emirates Park Zoo, further out toward Al Ain road, is more of a traditional zoo experience with a broader range of land animals and some hands-on encounter options.
Attractions compared
| Attraction | City | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo | Dubai | Aquarium + underwater zoo | First-time visitors, central location |
| The Green Planet | Dubai | Indoor rainforest | A different kind of family activity |
| National Aquarium Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi | Aquarium | Marine conservation focus |
| Emirates Park Zoo | Abu Dhabi | Zoo | Broader range of land animals |
Planning multiple stops
Dubai Aquarium and The Green Planet are both roughly central and about 20-25 minutes apart by car, making them realistic to combine in one day. In Abu Dhabi, National Aquarium and Emirates Park Zoo sit further apart, so most visitors pick one per day trip rather than combining both.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest aquarium in Dubai?
The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, inside The Dubai Mall, holds one of the largest suspended tanks in the world, with a viewing panel that forms part of the mall's ground floor and includes over 33,000 marine animals including sand tiger sharks.
What is The Green Planet in Dubai?
An indoor tropical rainforest built around a 25-metre man-made tree housing over 3,000 plants and animals across four biomes, kept at controlled humidity and temperature to replicate a real rainforest ecosystem year-round.
Is the National Aquarium in Abu Dhabi different from Dubai's aquarium?
Yes — the National Aquarium Abu Dhabi is a separate, standalone facility (not inside a mall) focused on marine conservation and rehabilitation, with dedicated tanks organised by ocean region rather than a single central tank.
Can kids touch animals at these attractions?
Several venues include supervised touch or feeding experiences — Emirates Park Zoo allows some hands-on animal encounters, and a few aquarium exhibits include touch pools — though policies vary by venue and are worth checking before visiting with young children.
