SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

SeaWorld is a marine-life theme park on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, about an hour's drive from Dubai. The park calls itself the world's largest indoor marine-life theme park: five indoor levels, around 183,000 square metres, more than 150 species of marine animals and over 100 animal experiences and presentations. There are no orcas here. It suits adults and children of any age, and it is a park worth coming back to.

I book open-dated tickets below the box-office price and, if you need it, a return transfer from Dubai. Prices for both are in the table on the theme parks page.

Eight realms

The park is divided into eight realms, each its own ocean: Abu Dhabi Ocean, One Ocean, Arctic, Antarctica, Rocky Point, Tropical Ocean, Endless Ocean and MicroOcean. In the polar realms it is properly cold, and Tropical Ocean is warm and humid. The Endless Ocean aquarium is, according to the park, the largest multi-species marine-life aquarium in the region.

Among the animals are sharks, rays, sea turtles, schools of fish, and birds including puffins, murres and flamingos.

Animal encounters and presentations

The park lists more than 100 animal experiences and presentations; the schedule changes, so check it on the day. Dolphins live in Tropical Ocean, and on set dates the park holds a breakfast beside the dolphins at the Waterside Café (a separate ticket that does not include park entry). SeaWorld Encounters, close-up meetings with animals such as penguins and sea lions, are also sold separately; the park recommends booking them in advance.

Rides

The park has more than 15 rides and interactive experiences. The main one is the Manta roller coaster: 17 airtime moments, a zero-gravity flip and a glowing tunnel past the marine life of Ray Reef. Height from 1.3 m to 1.95 m.

With children

SeaWorld is the calmest of the Yas Island parks: most of the day is spent with animals, aquariums and presentations rather than on rides, so it works for the youngest children too. Children under three enter free. If you are coming with children, tell me their ages and I will confirm the child price.

Tips

• Bring a warm layer. The park itself recommends dressing in layers or bringing a jacket because of the polar realms.
• Plan your route around the presentations you want to see, and fit the Manta coaster in between.
• A Quick Pass and Premium Seating at presentations can be added to the ticket.
• The park also has the Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center, which rescues and treats marine animals; a guided tour is sold separately.
• Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World and Yas Waterworld are next door. A combo ticket for 2-4 parks over up to 6 days is better value than separate tickets.
• Yas Island combines well with an Abu Dhabi tour: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre and the Corniche.