Middle East's Biggest Aquarium to Open in Abu Dhabi

The Al Qana National Aquarium is set to open in 2020

Posted on

10 July 2019

| Last updated on 14 July 2019

by Clarice Awa

Abu Dhabi Will Be Home to the Biggest Aquarium in the Region

Expected to welcome around 1 million visitors annually, here's what you need to know about the largest aquarium project in the UAE

It's always about going bigger and better in the UAE. The nation is home to the tallest buildings, the biggest sand painting, the largest indoor aquarium in the world, and now Abu Dhabi will be opening the largest aquarium in the Middle East by 2020.

Developed by Al Barakah International Investment, the National Aquarium is located at Al Qana in Abu Dhabi. The marine life destination is gigantic, measuring more than 7,000 square metres, and will be led by a team of 80 international marine professionals and specialists.

The National Aquarium will have 10 themed zones showcasing over 33,000 aquatic life. Visitors will be able to enjoy a variety of educational opportunities to learn about planet conservation, and more about the waters of the Amazon, Pacific, the Arctic, Mediterranean, and the Arabian Gulf. The massive space is expected to be able to welcome around 50,000 students annually for school trips to find out more about marine life through an enriching experience.

The development is estimated to complete in the final quarter of 2020.

Guests can learn about over 250 aquatic species

Paul Hamilton, General Manager of The National Aquarium, said in regards to the project's progress, “This is the 12th public aquarium that I’ve worked on and probably the most exciting, in terms of the scale, uniqueness and attention to detail. This will bring the excitement and wonder of the oceans to the doorsteps of Abu Dhabi’s community and to visitors from all around the world."

he added, “People across the UAE are becoming more conscious of how they can look after the environment around them, to ensure that the habitats and ecosystems of animals are safeguarded for generations to come. Through accredited educational programmes and accessible information, people of all ages will be able to understand more about the marine world at The National Aquarium."