SeaWorld® Yas Island, Abu Dhabi’s Top 6 Animal Encounters And Underwater Adventures

SeaWorld® Yas Island, Abu Dhabi is a place where marine animal lovers and thrill-seekers come together to experience a world of adventure and wonder.

Not only is it a first-rate theme park with exhilarating rides and attractions, delicious dining options, shopping outlets and live entertainment shows on every corner, but it is also home to The Yas SeaWorld Research& Rescue Center Yas Island Abu Dhabi, a marine conservation center dedicated to animal research, rehabilitation, and return, as well as educating and inspiring guests about the oceans and their inhabitants.

There’s always something new and exciting to discover at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. But, in this article, it’s those SeaWorld expeditions that take guests up close and personal with marine life in ways they can’t even imagine that’ll be in the limelight.

So, put on your best explorer hat (and, for some of these encounters, your wetsuit, too) and get ready to dive into six of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi’s most unforgettable animal encounters and underwater adventures.

1. Dolphin Encounter

This is your chance to come face-to-face with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, some of the planet’s most intelligent and playful marine mammals. Learn all about their behaviors, how SeaWorld Abu Dhabi’s expert trainers care for them and even get a chance to feed them and boop that adorable nose.

This interactive experience is fit for all ages, two years and above, so bring the whole family and share in the joy of connecting with these majestic creatures.

Fee: AED 195

2. Dugong Encounter

Dugongs, also known as sea cows, are a native species to Abu Dhabi, yet to most people, they’re still somewhat of a mystery. Well, not if SeaWorld Abu Dhabi has anything to say about it.

In this experience, you’ll be able to meet and get hands-on with at least one of these gentle giants: Malquot, the park’s resident dugong, who was rescued and brought to SeaWorld Abu Dhabi for rehabilitation by the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi in 2023.

Hear all about his story and how the park’s animal care specialists ensure his and other dugongs’ well-being. You can also grab a few handfuls of his favorite food, fresh lettuce, and feed these to your new friend.

Fee: AED 75

3. Penguin Encounter

Meet the colonies of gentoo, macaroni, rockhopper, Adélie, king and chinstrap penguins at Antarctica, the icy habitat and waddling grounds of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi.

Watch in awe as the tuxedoed birds slip and slide in their chilly pools, preen their feathers and bellow out their unique calls. This encounter will surely be a hit with the little ones, who can interact with the penguins and ask their knowledgeable caretakers questions about these amazing animals.

Fee: AED 195

4. Seadive

Strap on your scuba diving gear, step onto a floating dock and prepare to plunge into the region’s biggest multi-species aquarium in this once-in-a-lifetime, 30-minute diving experience.

Accompanied by a colleague diver at all times, you’ll swim alongside over 68,000 marine creatures, including sharks, rays and thousands of colorful tropical and local fish.

Don’t forget to smile and give a thumbs-up to the photographer in the guest viewing windows, who’ll take snapshots of your underwater adventure.

A few things to note for this expedition: you must be SCUBA certified, have completed an open-water dive in the last six months before your visit, be at least 12 years of age (in which case, you’ll also need adult supervision), and bring your own bathing suit.

Fee: AED 1295

5. Sea Otter Encounter

Curious, playful and downright adorable, the northern sea otters at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will melt your heart. Listen closely as the Educator hosting this encounter shares interesting facts and fascinating tales about these furry creatures’ lives before you get to know them for yourself.

Fee: AED 145

6. SeaVenture Underwater Walking Tour

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to take a stroll on the seabed? That’s exactly what’s in store for you at SeaVenture, a 25-minute underwater walking tour through a massive aquarium full of vibrant corals and thousands of marine life.

One moment, you’ll be surrounded by schools of fish darting around and the next, you’ll look up to spot a ray or two gliding over the top of your helmet.

This SeaWorld expedition requires no certification or training; you don’t even need to know how to swim. Just put on a wetsuit, helmet and special diving shoes, and you’re good to go!

Fee: AED 245

Book Your Next SeaWorld Expedition Early

Seaworld Abu Dhabi’s theme park rides, fabulous shows, tasty food, and unique shopping experiences are obviously a big draw, but these animal encounters and underwater adventures are the stuff of lifetime memories.

As you can imagine, they tend to sell out fast, and there are always a limited number of spots available for each experience. So book your tickets early on the SeaWorld Abu Dhabi website to guarantee yourself and your loved ones a day filled with animal interactions and underwater thrills.