SeaWorld Abu Dhabi has opened its doors.
The attraction on Yas Island features eight marine environments or realms, each with themed offerings, across a five-storey indoor venue that covers 183,000 square metres.
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Inside the Polar realm at SeaWorld in Abu Dhabi. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
California Sea Lions in the Rocky Point realm -
In addition to the animals, there is also roaming entertainment -
Bottlenose dolphins can be found in the Tropical Ocean realm -
The Endless Ocean realm has more than 20 viewing points into its large aquarium, including one that is 20 metres deep -
A Clown Nose Ray in the aquarium in the Endless Ocean realm, which is also home to the world's largest multi-species aquarium -
Puffins are found in the Arctic zone in the Polar Ocean realm -
The Tropical Ocean realm is the biggest inside SeaWorld Abu Dhabi -
The MicroOcean realm is geared towards children -
Walrus are in the Arctic zone of the Polar Ocean realm -
The entrance into the One Ocean realm -
Sea Otters in the Arctic zone -
An authentic souq recreated at the Abu Dhabi Ocean realm -
The Arctic zone in the Polar Ocean realm is much cooler than the other areas -
Inside a gift shop at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi -
Abu Dhabi Ocean is designed to give a traditional feel of the olden days of the UAE capital, yet with a modern touch. -
The seating section inside One Ocean -
The Antarctic zone in the Polar Ocean realm will be home to different species of penguins -
The centrepiece inside the One Ocean realm -
Sea Star is a character who roams around the MicroOcean realm -
The Tropical Ocean is home to dolphins -
The Tropical Ocean has an Amazon rainforest-inspired decor, with giant banyans and palm trees -
The MicroOcean realm has rides for children as well as play areas -
The amphitheatre in the Tropical Ocean realm can seat up to 2,000 people -
Sea Lion cavern theatre in the Rocky Point realm -
Walrus live in the Arctic zone -
The MicroOcean section is themed so that visitors feel like the size of plankton in the ocean -
The Rocky Point is themed after the Pacific North-west in the US with its mountains and waves replicated -
The Manta Coaster goes outside the SeaWorld Abu Dhabi building
Here's everything you need to know about the marine life park, from the attractions to what to expect, ticket costs and how to get there.
What is SeaWorld Abu Dhabi?
The Abu Dhabi site is the first outpost outside North America. Similar to its parks in the US, there are rides, interactive exhibits and an aquarium that houses 150 species of marine life, such as sharks, manta rays and sea turtles, plus reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. There are retail outlets where visitors can buy themed souvenirs, as well as several dining options.
The attraction also has Yas Seaworld Research & Rescue, a 8,602-square-metre research complex created with a focus on marine conservation and education. It opened in February.
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi was developed by Miral, which is also behind other theme parks on Yas Island, such as Ferrari World, Warner Bros World and Yas Waterworld.
How much are the tickets?
There are several packages for entry, from single-day tickets to annual passes.
A day ticket costs Dh375 for adults and Dh290 for children. This includes all-day access to the park and its various experiences and rides.
Another option is the four-park ticket, which costs Dh675. This allows visitors entry to any of the four theme parks, including SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, within the island. It must be used within 14 days.
Annual passes are also on offer, from silver to diamond. These can be used in other Yas Island theme parks as well. SeaWorld Abu Dhabi has preopening discounts for these passes available until May 22.
How to get there and where to park
The attraction on Yas Island is near Yas Mall and Yas Park 1 and 2.
There is also a Google Map location for the parking area that can be found by typing in: “Seaworld Yas Island Abu Dhabi Parking”.
What is inside SeaWorld Abu Dhabi?
There are eight thematic sections: One Ocean, Abu Dhabi Ocean, Rocky Point, MicroOcean, Tropical Ocean, Arctic, Antarctica and Endless Ocean.
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The first of eight realms at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is Abu Dhabi Ocean, themed around the UAE capital and its past. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National -
It features Arabesque architecture, including fort-like buildings -
There are four touch pools inside Abu Dhabi Ocean where visitors can feed marine animals -
The zone also has a controlled sunrise and sunset feature -
Replica mangrove trees, dhow ships and a souq -
A dhow in the Abu Dhabi Ocean zone -
Abu Dhabi Ocean is home to Naham theatre, where live shows are staged -
Stingray at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi -
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is home to the region's largest multi-species aquarium -
There is a touch pool for starfish in Abu Dhabi Ocean -
The amphitheatre in the Tropical Ocean realm can seat up to 2,000 people -
Cenote Cafe has underwater views of dolphins and other marine life -
Waterside Cafe in the Tropical Ocean realm -
A diver cleaning the water before SeaWorld Abu Dhabi opens to the public -
The Tropical Ocean is the biggest realm at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi -
The entrance to Endless Ocean, one of the eight realms -
Dolphin shows will take place in the Tropical Ocean zone -
Finishing touches being put in the One Ocean realm -
A water tunnel in the Tropical Ocean zone -
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will open on May 23
There are several animal displays and presentations, more than 35 interactive experiences and rides, plus 17 dining options and 13 retail outlets. There is also roaming entertainment across the realms.
One Ocean
One Ocean serves as the park's hub that connects to all the other realms. It embodies the educational aspect of the destination, with a 360-degree media experience as its centrepiece.
It also houses the Animal Care Centre, where visitors can watch vets and animal care experts at work.
One Abu Dhabi
This realm spotlights the marine ecosystem of Abu Dhabi and the Arabian Gulf. It offers a glimpse into the history of Bedouin families who took part in pearl trading.
It features Arabesque architecture with fort-like buildings and a replica of Abu Dhabi's Mina Port. It is also home to Naham theatre, which will host two live shows: one about the history of pearl diving and another featuring mermaids and dugongs.
This space replicates sunrise and sunset through lighting on the walls. For example, if the Sun is beginning to rise by the entrance, by the end of the day the other side of the realm will have the Sun setting.
Rocky Point
Designed like a hidden cove, this realm is home to the park's sea lions and other marine mammals. There are animal presentations of the sea lions, seals and otters, as well as birds such as pelicans and cormorants.
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi says it's used advanced technology to mimic the animals' natural habitat by controlling water currents, wave movements and lighting conditions. The realm also simulates natural sunlight and recreates seasonal light cycles through an advanced lighting system.
MicroOcean
This realm is described by the park as its “underworld playground” that features four child-friendly rides, as well as play areas. The idea behind the zone is that visitors are the size of plankton in the ocean.
The rides are Turtle Twist, Octozoom!, Jelly Plunge and Eel Racer. The two play areas are called the Kelp Climb and the Explorer's Sea Base. There is also roaming entertainment in this realm.
Tropical Ocean
This is the biggest realm of the eight. The space was created as a nod to the tropics, with Amazon rainforest-inspired decor, giant banyans, palm trees and plenty of natural lighting thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows on one side.
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi's dolphins are in this area, as well as rays and colourful fish swimming through a crystal lagoon. There are also flamingos, macaws and other tropical birds to see.
The Tropical Ocean realm is also home to Manta Coaster, one of two rollercoasters at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. The indoor-to-outdoor ride includes a trip under an aquarium.
Arctic
This realm is dedicated to the Arctic region, which is home to a diversity of animals from walruses to sea otters. Visitors can also experience the region's seasonal temperatures and light cycles in this zone.
Highlights include a walrus habitat, the Ahmed Ibn Majid Research Vessel and the Hypersphere 360-degree ride, an immersive multimedia sphere that takes visitors on a marine journey.
There is also a retail outlet selling Arctic-inspired souvenirs.
Antarctica
This is the second Polar Ocean-inspired realm, the Arctic's opposite pole where penguins can be found.
A zoological lighting system replicates the seasonal changes of the region, and allows the penguins to go through their natural seasons, from moulting to nesting.
Various kinds of penguins can be seen, including the distinctive macaronis, tiny rockhoppers and king penguins, the second-largest of all penguin species.
There is also the Penguin Play, an elevated structure with climbing nets and slides.
Endless Ocean
This realm has a large aquarium home to an array of marine life, with more than 68,0000 animals such as sharks, rays, octopus and schools of fish.
Seven other animal habitats are also in this space aimed at creating educational awareness of sea creatures and the vast ocean, one of which is The Swirl, where tens of thousands of sardines swim.
The realm will also be home to two soon-to-open experiences, diving with schools of fish and an underwater walking tour inside the giant aquarium.
Will there be orcas at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi?
The park will not have killer whales or orcas.
On its website it says: “Although orcas/killer whales are not part of the marine life theme park, we will offer opportunities to educate the community and raise awareness about this inspiring creature alongside other marine life species.”
More information is available on www.seaworldabudhabi.com.
