Come face-to-face with sharks and stingrays at new aquarium experience in Dubai

Aquatrek Xtreme at Atlantis, The Palm allows visitors to experience life below the waves – without even getting their hair wet

Aquatrek Xtreme at Atlantis, The Palm allows visitors to descend 10 metres under water. Courtesy Atlantis, The Palm

If you've ever dreamed of coming face-to-face with beautiful (and scary) sea creatures but never quite got round to learning how to scuba dive, make your way to Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai and form an orderly queue.

The ocean-themed resort has launched a new immersive experience, Aquatrek Xtreme, allowing visitors to walk along the floor (or seabed, if you like) of The Ambassador Lagoon, one of the biggest open-air aquariums in the world.

Here's how it works. Visitors are fitted with an Aquatrek helmet, which provides a continuous supply of air (three times more than you would actually need, in fact, just to be on the safe side) and keeps you completely dry. They then descend a ladder 10 metres to the bottom of The Ambassador Lagoon for a guided tour, where they might encounter some 65,000 marine animals, including sharks, stingrays and plenty of colourful fish.

Although this experience currently operates in 27 countries across five continents, this is the first time that it will reach a depth of 10 metres – so you'll be going where few others have gone before.

“We are all incredibly excited by the latest addition to The Ambassador Lagoon which, yet again, proves that Atlantis, The Palm remains at the forefront of innovation,” said Natasha Christie, director of The Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis, The Palm.

"We can't emphasise strongly enough how passionate we all are about the marine environment, and this technology allows visitors the opportunity to share our passion for the resort's remarkable aquatic life and to learn more about their habitat."

The Aquatrek Xtreme experience lasts for about one hour (the underwater tour is 20 minutes) and includes check-in, briefings on animal safety and equipment, and being kitted out with a wetsuit. Prices start from Dh720.

You will be able to relive your experience over and over again courtesy of footage recorded by the Go-Pro cameras, which are available for rent. Photography and videography are also permitted, while professional photographers will be on hand to record the experience.

Aquatrek Xtreme: The essentials

• Aquatrek Xtreme will be available in two daily sessions taking place at 1pm and 4pm for a maximum of four guests
• Participants only need to bring their own swimsuit. Towels, wetsuits, equipment, footwear and water will be provided and there are changing facilities on site
• Participants must be 12 years or older and those below the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the briefing

Aquatrek Xtreme, Lost Chambers Aquarium, Atlantis, The Palm, from Dh720, 04 426 0000, www.atlantisthepalm.com