WATCH: Dolphins, dhows, fish, turtles; here’s a sneak peek at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi – News

UAE’s first sea life theme park spans 183,000 square meters across five indoor floors and lives up to expectations

Ahead of the long-awaited opening of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi on Yas Island, Khaleej Times got a sneak peek at several areas of the UAE’s first dedicated marine life theme park.

The park certainly lives up to its hype—for one, the sheer size of the destination’s 183,000 square meters across five interior floors creates a great deal of excitement when you’re on your way to a parking space. Raised expectations for the sky.

Through the sliding doors at the main entrance, two escalators will take you to the first of eight realms, where your water journey begins at Abu Dhabi Ocean.

The immersive area captures the true essence of Abu Dhabi and the UAE. For tourists, this could be your crash course into the emirate’s rich seafaring history. Dhows, mangroves, souks, native wildlife, stories of two of the many foreign sailors who stopped in Abu Dhabi, theater and live performances.

Abu Dhabi Ocean allows visitors to interact with marine invertebrates and rays in touch pools, learn about local marine life and navigate the oceans before there were no compasses. You can find dugongs, hawksbill turtles, sea snakes, starfish, sea cucumbers and many types of fish in the tank.

Next you’ll step into One Ocean, the central hub of the park that gives you access to all other areas. The area will feature One Epic Ocean – the park’s iconic multimedia spectacle on the big screen, which will showcase the journey of Emiratis across the sea and its diverse marine environments.

The district is still preparing for the grand opening. It also has an on-site animal care center where visitors can chat with veterinarians and specialists.

Tropical Ocean is the largest domain and the domain with natural sunlight. The chirping and grunting of flamingos is the first thing heard from a distance. The area features blue lagoons, lush rainforest with birdlife, and a variety of animals such as dolphins, flamingos and tropical fish living in state-of-the-art dynamic habitats.

Here you’ll step into and through a series of tunnels where you can capture around 24 friendly dolphins in a safe environment. There is also a restaurant on the same floor where you can have the same experience. There are also entertaining dolphin shows.

The field will also be home to the record-breaking Manta Coaster – a thrill coaster with the most flight hours in the region, in addition to the world’s first zero-g flip and the world’s first twisting double dip.

Other areas that Khaleej Times will not be able to access in this exclusive sneak peek are:

Across these 8 zones, there are 18 different dining options offering a wide variety of cuisines, from grab-and-go fast food to fine dining experiences with stunning views of various animal habitats above and below the water.

For those looking to bring a souvenir home, there are approximately 13 different retail destinations to shop. Sunken Treasures offers souvenirs, the Armillary Collection offers ocean-inspired treasures, and Souk Al Seef sells a variety of souvenirs, clothing and stuffed animals.

The park opened to the public on May 23. Tickets can be purchased at www.seaworldabudhabi.com and the Yas Annual Pass can be purchased at www.yasisland.com/en/yas-annual-pass.