• The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi opened to the public in November. All photos by Ruel Pableo for The National
    The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi opened to the public in November. All photos by Ruel Pableo for The National
  • It is the first attraction to open in Al Qana, a new waterfront destination.
    It is the first attraction to open in Al Qana, a new waterfront destination.
  • Inside The Sub, one of 10 zones in the aquarium.
    Inside The Sub, one of 10 zones in the aquarium.
  • The Red Sea Wreck zone.
    The Red Sea Wreck zone.
  • The UAE's Natural Treasures zone.
    The UAE's Natural Treasures zone.
  • The Ring of Fire zone where guests can learn about volcanic caves and how islands are formed.
    The Ring of Fire zone where guests can learn about volcanic caves and how islands are formed.
  • Children outside of the National Aquarium on opening day.
    Children outside of the National Aquarium on opening day.
  • Tickets can be purchased at the door or online. Prices start at Dh105 ($28).
    Tickets can be purchased at the door or online. Prices start at Dh105 ($28).
  • Visitors explore the Red Sea Wreck zone.
    Visitors explore the Red Sea Wreck zone.
  • The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi is set to be joined by other attractions at Al Qana.
    The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi is set to be joined by other attractions at Al Qana.
  • The aquarium is home to 46,000 creatures, representing 300 species.
    The aquarium is home to 46,000 creatures, representing 300 species.
  • Covering more than 9,000 square metres, it is the largest aquarium in the Middle East.
    Covering more than 9,000 square metres, it is the largest aquarium in the Middle East.
  • An underwater tunnel at the National Aquarium Abu Dhabi.
    An underwater tunnel at the National Aquarium Abu Dhabi.
  • Visitors can book the aquarium tour or a behind-the-scenes tour.
    Visitors can book the aquarium tour or a behind-the-scenes tour.
  • The Flooded Forest zone is home to Super Snake – a female reticulated python, aged 14, that weighs 115 kilograms.
    The Flooded Forest zone is home to Super Snake – a female reticulated python, aged 14, that weighs 115 kilograms.
  • Inside the Red Sea Wreck zone visitors can can come face-to-fin with hundreds of fish.
    Inside the Red Sea Wreck zone visitors can can come face-to-fin with hundreds of fish.
  • At the Atlantic Cave zone visitors can discover what really lives beneath the ocean's surface.
    At the Atlantic Cave zone visitors can discover what really lives beneath the ocean's surface.
  • The Frozen Ocean zone.
    The Frozen Ocean zone.
  • The Ocean Magic zone.
    The Ocean Magic zone.
  • Inside Bu Tinah Island zone.
    Inside Bu Tinah Island zone.
  • The Ocean Magic zone contains a car filled with fishes.
    The Ocean Magic zone contains a car filled with fishes.
  • The Flooded Forest zone.
    The Flooded Forest zone.
  • The UAE's Natural Treasures zone explores the country's rich pearl diving history.
    The UAE's Natural Treasures zone explores the country's rich pearl diving history.

Lifestyle

Family

National Aquarium Abu Dhabi: when does it open and how much will tickets cost?

The newest attraction in the capital is ready to open its doors to the public

Evelyn Lau
Evelyn Lau

November 10, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi is the first project to open in Al Qana, a new waterfront destination in the capital that stretches 2.4 kilometres. The attraction is home to 46,000 creatures and 300 species spread across 10 zones.

It will be the biggest aquarium in the Middle East when it opens and the wildlife that live there will be cared for by a team of 80 sea-life experts and specialists. Ahead of its opening, here's a guide to everything you need to know.

When does The National Aquarium open to the public?

The National Aquarium opens to the public this Friday.

What are the opening hours?

The opening hours are 10am to 8pm from Sunday to Wednesday, and 10am to 10pm from Thursday to Saturday.

How much are tickets for The National Aquarium?

There are four tiers of ticketing for the attraction: General Admission (Dh105), Beyond the Glass (Dh130), Bu Tinah Dhow (Dh150) and VIP (Dh200). Annual passes are also available for Dh399. Children under the age of 3 can enter for free.

General Admission offers a tour through the 10 zones of the aquarium.

The Beyond the Glass ticket includes the aquarium tour as well as a behind-the-scenes tour that features a walk on a glass bridge.

The Bu Tinah Dhow ticket has the aquarium journey as well as a glass-bottom dhow tour and fish feeding.

The VIP ticket includes all the aforementioned activities.

Where can I buy The National Aquarium tickets?

Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at thenationalaquarium.ae.

  • The National Aquarium in Al Qana, Abu Dhabi, is set to open on Friday, November 12
    The National Aquarium in Al Qana, Abu Dhabi, is set to open on Friday, November 12
  • The attraction will house more than 200 sharks and rays that represent more than 25 aquatic species
    The attraction will house more than 200 sharks and rays that represent more than 25 aquatic species
  • The new attraction will house the largest collection of sharks and rays in the Middle East
    The new attraction will house the largest collection of sharks and rays in the Middle East
  • Guests will be able experience live feeding demonstrations with both sharks and rays
    Guests will be able experience live feeding demonstrations with both sharks and rays
  • As well as hammerhead sharks (pictured), the aquarium will house sand tiger sharks, lemon sharks, zebra sharks and blacktip reef sharks
    As well as hammerhead sharks (pictured), the aquarium will house sand tiger sharks, lemon sharks, zebra sharks and blacktip reef sharks

What other experiences can be booked?

The aquatic attraction also offers animal encounters for Dh180. Visitors can choose from swimming with sharks, feeding stingrays or feeding puffins.

How do I get to The National Aquarium?

The aquarium is located in Al Qana off of Khaleej Al Arabi in the Rabdan area near the Maqta Bridge. There are taxi and bus stops around the area as well as 3,000 surface and basement parking spaces for guests.

What are the Covid-19 safety precautions?

Those aged 16 and above will be required to show a green pass on Al Hosn app or a negative PCR test with less than 96 hours validity to enter. Face masks must be worn at all times.

More information is available at www.thenationalaquarium.ae

UAE cricketers abroad

Sid Jhurani is not the first cricketer from the UAE to go to the UK to try his luck.

Rameez Shahzad Played alongside Ben Stokes and Liam Plunkett in Durham while he was studying there. He also played club cricket as an overseas professional, but his time in the UK stunted his UAE career. The batsman went a decade without playing for the national team.

Yodhin Punja The seam bowler was named in the UAE’s extended World Cup squad in 2015 despite being just 15 at the time. He made his senior UAE debut aged 16, and subsequently took up a scholarship at Claremont High School in the south of England.

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

Profile of MoneyFellows

Founder: Ahmed Wadi

Launched: 2016

Employees: 76

Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)

Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund

RESULT

Deportivo La Coruna 2 Barcelona 4
Deportivo: Perez (39'), Colak (63')
Barcelona: Coutinho (6'), Messi (37', 81', 84')

The biog

Age: 19 

Profession: medical student at UAE university 

Favourite book: The Ocean at The End of The Lane by Neil Gaiman

Role model: Parents, followed by Fazza (Shiekh Hamdan bin Mohammed)

Favourite poet: Edger Allen Poe 

Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

The Details

Kabir Singh

Produced by: Cinestaan Studios, T-Series

Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga

Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa

Rating: 2.5/5 

Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

China and the UAE agree comprehensive strategic partnership

China and the UAE forged even closer links between the two countries during the landmark state visit after finalising a ten-point agreement on a range of issues, from international affairs to the economy and trade and renewable energy.

1. Politics: The two countries agreed to support each other on issues of security and to work together on regional and international challenges. The nations also confirmed that the number of high-level state visits between China and the UAE will increase.

2. Economy: The UAE offers its full support to China's Belt and Road Initiative, which will combine a land 'economic belt" and a "maritime silk road" that will link China with the Arabian Gulf as well as Southeast, South and Central China, North Africa and, eventually, Europe. 

3. Business and innovation: The two nations are committed to exploring new partnerships in sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, energy, the aviation and transport industries and have vowed to build economic co-operation through the UAE-China Business Committee.

4. Education, science and technology: The Partnership Programme between Arab countries in Science and Technology will encourage young Emirati scientists to conduct research in China, while the nations will work together on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, renewable energy and space projects. 

5. Renewable energy and water: The two countries will partner to develop renewable energy schemes and work to reduce climate change. The nations have also reiterated their support for the Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency.

6. Oil and gas: The UAE and China will work in partnership in the crude oil trade and the exploration and development of oil and natural gas resources.

7. Military and law enforcement and security fields: Joint training will take place between the Chinese and UAE armed forces, while the two nations will step up efforts to combat terrorism and organised crime. 

8. Culture and humanitarian issues: Joint cultural projects will be developed and partnerships will be cultivated on the preservation of heritage, contemporary art and tourism. 

9. Movement between countries: China and the UAE made clear their intent to encourage travel between the countries through a wide-ranging visa waiver agreement.

10. Implementing the strategic partnership: The Intergovernmental Co-operation Committee, established last year, will be used to ensure the objectives of the partnership are implemented.

 

 

Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate 

Wallabies

Updated team: 15-Israel Folau, 14-Dane Haylett-Petty, 13-Reece Hodge, 12-Matt Toomua, 11-Marika Koroibete, 10-Kurtley Beale, 9-Will Genia, 8-Pete Samu, 7-Michael Hooper (captain), 6-Lukhan Tui, 5-Adam Coleman, 4-Rory Arnold, 3-Allan Alaalatoa, 2-Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1-Scott Sio.

Replacements: 16-Folau Faingaa, 17-Tom Robertson, 18-Taniela Tupou, 19-Izack Rodda, 20-Ned Hanigan, 21-Joe Powell, 22-Bernard Foley, 23-Jack Maddocks.

The squad traveling to Brazil:

Faisal Al Ketbi, Ibrahim Al Hosani, Khalfan Humaid Balhol, Khalifa Saeed Al Suwaidi, Mubarak Basharhil, Obaid Salem Al Nuaimi, Saeed Juma Al Mazrouei, Saoud Abdulla Al Hammadi, Taleb Al Kirbi, Yahia Mansour Al Hammadi, Zayed Al Kaabi, Zayed Saif Al Mansoori, Saaid Haj Hamdou, Hamad Saeed Al Nuaimi. Coaches Roberto Lima and Alex Paz.

Tewellah by Nawal Zoghbi is out now.

Other ways to buy used products in the UAE

UAE insurance firm Al Wathba National Insurance Company (AWNIC) last year launched an e-commerce website with a facility enabling users to buy car wrecks.

Bidders and potential buyers register on the online salvage car auction portal to view vehicles, review condition reports, or arrange physical surveys, and then start bidding for motors they plan to restore or harvest for parts.

Physical salvage car auctions are a common method for insurers around the world to move on heavily damaged vehicles, but AWNIC is one of the few UAE insurers to offer such services online.

For cars and less sizeable items such as bicycles and furniture, Dubizzle is arguably the best-known marketplace for pre-loved.

Founded in 2005, in recent years it has been joined by a plethora of Facebook community pages for shifting used goods, including Abu Dhabi Marketplace, Flea Market UAE and Arabian Ranches Souq Market while sites such as The Luxury Closet and Riot deal largely in second-hand fashion.

At the high-end of the pre-used spectrum, resellers such as Timepiece360.ae, WatchBox Middle East and Watches Market Dubai deal in authenticated second-hand luxury timepieces from brands such as Rolex, Hublot and Tag Heuer, with a warranty.

Updated: November 16, 2021, 7:14 AM
Abu DhabiUAE