SeaWorld Abu Dhabi: Ticket prices, attractions and all you need to know

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.

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.

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.

The replicated Mina Port inside One Abu Dhabi. Antonie Robertson / The National

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.

Caribbean flamingos at Tropical Ocean. Antonie Robertson / The National

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.

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Scoreline

Bournemouth 2

Wilson 70', Ibe 74'

Arsenal 1

Bellerin 52'

Winners

Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)

Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)

Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)

Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)

Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)

Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)

Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)

Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)

Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

If you go...

Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).

UAE%20v%20West%20Indies

%3Cp%3EFirst%20ODI%20-%20Sunday%2C%20June%204%20%0D%3Cbr%3ESecond%20ODI%20-%20Tuesday%2C%20June%206%20%0D%3Cbr%3EThird%20ODI%20-%20Friday%2C%20June%209%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EMatches%20at%20Sharjah%20Cricket%20Stadium.%20All%20games%20start%20at%204.30pm%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20squad%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMuhammad%20Waseem%20(captain)%2C%20Aayan%20Khan%2C%20Adithya%20Shetty%2C%20Ali%20Naseer%2C%20Ansh%20Tandon%2C%20Aryansh%20Sharma%2C%20Asif%20Khan%2C%20Basil%20Hameed%2C%20Ethan%20D%E2%80%99Souza%2C%20Fahad%20Nawaz%2C%20Jonathan%20Figy%2C%20Junaid%20Siddique%2C%20Karthik%20Meiyappan%2C%20Lovepreet%20Singh%2C%20Matiullah%2C%20Mohammed%20Faraazuddin%2C%20Muhammad%20Jawadullah%2C%20Rameez%20Shahzad%2C%20Rohan%20Mustafa%2C%20Sanchit%20Sharma%2C%20Vriitya%20Aravind%2C%20Zahoor%20Khan%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

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Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

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What is a robo-adviser?

Robo-advisers use an online sign-up process to gauge an investor’s risk tolerance by feeding information such as their age, income, saving goals and investment history into an algorithm, which then assigns them an investment portfolio, ranging from more conservative to higher risk ones.

These portfolios are made up of exchange traded funds (ETFs) with exposure to indices such as US and global equities, fixed-income products like bonds, though exposure to real estate, commodity ETFs or gold is also possible.

Investing in ETFs allows robo-advisers to offer fees far lower than traditional investments, such as actively managed mutual funds bought through a bank or broker. Investors can buy ETFs directly via a brokerage, but with robo-advisers they benefit from investment portfolios matched to their risk tolerance as well as being user friendly.

Many robo-advisers charge what are called wrap fees, meaning there are no additional fees such as subscription or withdrawal fees, success fees or fees for rebalancing.

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.

8. Pillar 2 implementation

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi: Ticket prices, attractions and all you need to know

The marine life theme park on Yas Island spans 183,000 square metres across five floors

What is SeaWorld Abu Dhabi?

How much are the tickets?

How to get there and where to park

What is inside SeaWorld Abu Dhabi?

One Ocean

One Abu Dhabi

Rocky Point

MicroOcean

Arctic

Antarctica

Endless Ocean

Will there be orcas at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi?

While you're here

While you're here

Scoreline

Winners

Key figures in the life of the fort

If you go...

UAE%20v%20West%20Indies

While you're here

Real estate tokenisation project

Groom and Two Brides

Desert Warrior

While you're here

The National in Davos

THE CLOWN OF GAZA

What is a robo-adviser?

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026