If you’re like us and absolutely LOVE theme parks and also absolutely LOVE aquariums, then the way SeaWorld Abu Dhabi combines both will absolutely amaze you! With animal exhibits, shows, roller coasters, rides and the most amazing aquarium tanks you will see anywhere in the world, it’s hard not to be awed. That’s before you even consider that most of it is under one roof.
You’ll find 8 themed realms at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi – One Ocean, Abu Dhabi Ocean, Rocky Point, MicroOcean, Tropical Ocean, Arctic, Antarctica and Endless Ocean. One Ocean is the central hub which has portals leading to all of the other lands.
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is one of the world’s biggest indoor theme parks and can be found on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It’s close to other theme parks including Warner Bros World and Ferrari World, as well as the Yas Waterworld water park and you can get combination tickets for all the parks. Yas Island will also be the home of Abu Dhabi’s new Disney theme park.
SeaWorld is easy to get to from most places in Abu Dhabi. There’s a shuttle from Downtown as well as the regular shuttle service on Yas Island itself. It’s just a short distance from the airport. Taxis and Ubers are reasonably priced in the UAE. It’s just over an hour from Dubai and a regular shuttle runs from there to Yas Island and the Abu Dhabi theme parks.
But with so much to see and do, where do you even begin? Here’s our guide to the top 10 must-do experiences that will make your visit to SeaWorld Abu Dhabi unforgettable.
10. The Rainforest
We absolutely didn’t expect to find this at SeaWorld but we were so glad we did. The Rainforest is an aviary where you can meet over 30 species of tropical birds like parrots, toucans and loads more. You walk inside and are immediately surrounded by lush greenery with birds all around. There’s no cages and the birds are free to fly wherever they like, meaning you can get right up close to them. There’s even a treetop walk that takes you into the canopy to get a better look. We’ve been to a lot of zoos and never seen an aviary like this! It’s very cool!
9. A Pearl Diver’s Life
This show is in the Abu Dhabi Ocean area and delves into the rich cultural heritage of the UAE. It’s a really great show that combines underwater acrobatics, storytelling and stunning visuals to depict the history and tradition of pearl diving in the region. It’s just another great way they’ve managed to combine the SeaWorld experience with the traditions and culture of Abu Dhabi.
UAE’s pearling, beautifully wrapped in a spectacular experience awaits you at #SeaWorldYasIsland’s A Pearl Diver’s Life show! Time to go pearling and leave with a real one from Dukkan Al-Tawash! 😍
#YasIsland #InAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/L4lUma13pU— SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi (@SeaWorldAD) April 29, 2024
8. Antarctica
THIS IS AMAZING! One minute, you’re surrounded by the desert sands of Arabia and next, you’re in the icy realm of Antarctica. Yes, there’s real snow! You venture into an environment filled with penguins waddling and swimming. You become immersed in their habitat. It really is impressive. Along the way, you can learn about exploration in Antarctica and the other cold creatures that live there.
7. Sea Lion Presentation
The main attraction in the Rocky Point land is the Sea Lion Presentation, a really fun show which takes place in a very impressive amphitheatre. Set around a fictional harbour village in the Pacific North East, the show follows nature rangers as they interact with sea lions and harbour seals. There’s a really strong conservation message and you learn about the animals’ natural behaviours, environments and the park’s efforts in research, rescue and animal welfare. It’s great fun and kids will love it! We loved it and we’re not even kids.
6. Endless Ocean Aquarium
This is unlike any other aquarium you’ve ever seen! It is VAST. The Endless Ocean Aquarium feels endless. You begin at the top and work your way down under the ocean to marvel at the colourful fish, sharks and other fascinating marine animals that call this massive habitat home. It’s a mesmerising experience that really leaves you feeling awestruck. There’s sharks, rays and so many other types of marine life. As you approach from the top and look down at how big it is, you’ll be speechless!
5. Eel Racer
One of only 2 roller coasters in SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, Eel Racer is a gentle ride that’s great for younger visitors. It’s a Zamperla family coaster located in the MicroOcean area, a colourful land filled with rides and attractions for kids. You’ll find Turtle Twist, OctoZoom and Jelly Plunge here too but Eel Racer is the highlight. It’s not the most thrilling coaster in Abu Dhabi but if you’re not into big thrills, or you have a kid wanting to try a coaster, Eel Racer is perfect. It’s got enough twists and dips to have them screaming for more.
4. Dolphin Presentation
The dolphin show is honestly one of the best parts of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. The theatre itself feels like you’ve stepped into a tropical lagoon. You’ll see dolphins leap, swim together and show off how they communicate with clicks and whistles while the trainers explain little things about their lives and why they’re so important to the ocean. It’s not just a performance, there’s a real message about protecting marine life and lessons about dolphins in the wild. Make sure to get there a bit early for a good seat but watch out for the splash zones! You might get soaked.
3. Hypersphere 360
Hypersphere 360 is one of those experiences that really sticks with you. It’s a 360-degree cinematic ride that drops you straight into the depths of the ocean. The visuals completely surround you and with the motion seats moving in sync, it feels like you’re gliding through the sea yourself. One moment you’re drifting past schools of fish, the next you’re alongside massive marine creatures in their natural habitat. It’s immersive, a little surreal and the kind of adventure that makes you forget you’re sitting in a theatre on dry land. Plus, the first place they visit is the west coast of Ireland so we obviously loved that part.
2. Manta Coaster
The Manta Coaster is the big thrill roller coaster at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and it’s probably our favourite roller coaster in all of the Yas Island theme parks. You start off inside an aquarium filled with rays and then get launched out into the desert. You go through twists, dives and even a zero-gravity flip that makes you feel like you’re flying. It’s got fast, smooth and packed with airtime with 3 great launches and some great theming elements thrown in too. You’ll definitely need to go on it more than once.
1. One Epic Ocean
One Epic Ocean is one of the most jaw-dropping shows I’ve seen anywhere in the world. It happens in the One Ocean realm, right in the park’s central hub where all the realms connect. The entire room becomes a huge cylindrical 360-degree LED screen with spatial audio and choreographed drones. You feel like you’re under the ocean at times. You follow a young Emirati woman’s adventure that takes you from the Arabian Gulf to deep seas, swimming with lots of sea creatures of all shapes and sizes. It’s beyond impressive and in a theme park full of wow moments, One Epic Ocean is definitely the absolute standout.
With such a great range of rides, shows and attractions, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for thrills, a chilled day out or just want to ramble around and look at the animals, this marine life theme park is a must for anyone visiting Yas Island. We can’t wait to go again!
