If you’re traveling with children, or are simply curious about the diversity of marine life in the world, set aside at least half a day to visit the vast National Aquarium (thenationalaquarium.ae; from Dhs110) in Al Qana. Opened in 2021, it's home to over 46,000 marine and terrestrial animals, including barracudas, lobsters, stingrays, super snakes and puffins.
Interactive exhibits in 10 themed zones educate visitors about the UAE’s heritage of pearl fishing, the biodiversity of the country’s mangroves and coral reefs, and the marine ecosystems of the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic Oceans. You'll see sand tiger sharks cruising overhead, rays gliding through tunnels and rainforest enclosures housing a 115kg reticulated python and free-flying birds.
Behind the scenes, the aquarium runs a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation program in partnership with the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi. Under this initiative, sea turtles found in a poor or distressed state are housed at the aquarium where they undergo one year of rehabilitation before being released into the sea. Other rescued residents include an abandoned African gray parrot and a loggerhead turtle found entangled in a fishing net. Diving and glass-bottomed-boat tours of the aquarium are also available.
