UAE gets first marine life theme park

SeaWorld, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, region’s first marine life theme park, features educational elements, entertainment, and expertise of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment.

TT Bureau

SeaWorld, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, has opened its doors to the public officially, making it the region’s first marine life theme park. The grand opening celebrations on 22 May were filled with star-studded performances by Emirati superstar Hussain Al Jassmi and Scottish recording artist Red, accompanied by a sensational orchestra of 120 musicians.

Developed by Miral in partnership with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is the newest addition to the renowned Yas Island. The park combines educational elements, entertainment, and the expertise of a leading zoological organization to provide unforgettable experiences. The inaugural event commenced in the One Ocean realm, where guests enjoyed the breathtaking One Epic Ocean show. This multimedia extravaganza, displayed on a massive 360-degree screen, brought the wonders of the ocean to life.

H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Miral, expressed his excitement over the opening of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. He highlighted the park’s contribution to Abu Dhabi’s tourism vision, positioning Yas Island as a global destination. H.E. Al Mubarak emphasized the park’s role in promoting environmental awareness and marine life conservation.

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, spanned in more than 183,000 square metres with five indoor levels, seamlessly combines learning and fun across eight immersive realms. It offers up-close animal encounters, presentations, entertainment, rides, dining, and shopping experiences.

Scott Ross, Chairman, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, celebrated the opening as a significant chapter for the organization. Ross expressed confidence that guests would be amazed by the unique experiences offered at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi.

Each realm in SeaWorld Abu Dhabi represents a different marine environment found worldwide. The One Ocean realm serves as the core of the park, sharing the One Ocean story through immersive media. The Abu Dhabi Ocean realm highlights the marine life of the Arabian Gulf, while the Rocky Point realm offers a glimpse of the Pacific Northwest’s sea lions and harbor seals. The Tropical Ocean realm features a vibrant rainforest and a lagoon inhabited by dolphins, flamingos, fish, and birds. In the MicroOcean realm, guests explore the microscopic world as plankton, understanding the impact of small organisms. The Endless Ocean realm boasts the world’s largest multi-species marine life aquarium, housing over 68,000 marine animals and 25 million litres of water. Lastly, the Polar Ocean realm provides insights into the habits of polar species through icy seascapes.

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi offers over 100 animal experiences and presentations, including 10 up-close animal encounters.