Dubai Aquarium Vs Lost Chambers Aquarium Comparison

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Published: July 18, 2024
Tropical fish in an aquarium

Everything in Dubai is supersized. The skyscrapers, the water parks, the malls, that mad Ferris wheel at Bluewaters Island: all strive to be the very biggest and baddest in town, nay the planet. Heck, you can even grab a 10kg burger here, should the mood (and your appetite) take you. Dubai’s aquariums are no exception to this rule, with some absolute beasts vying for your dirhams. Among the biggest and best here are Dubai Aquarium and Lost Chambers, run by Dubai Mall and Atlantis The Palm respectively. We took a deep dive to meet the thousands of critters at each aquarium and find out which of Lost Chambers and Dubai Aquarium is best…

Dubai Aquarium: The Lowdown

Man and child at Dubai Aquarium

Name. Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is located at Dubai Mall (the biggest mall in Dubai, natch).

Age. The aquarium opened in 2008, but some of the sharks and crocs here are even older than that.

What to expect at Dubai Aquarium. One of the largest suspended aquariums in the world, Dubai Aquarium is home to many thousands of aquatic animals, including over 400 sharks and rays, plus giant spider crabs, piranhas, otters, penguins, and an Australian king croc (and his queen) – though not all necessarily in the same tank. This super-sized aquarium has multiple zones. As well as that epic tank, there’s a 48-meter underwater observation tunnel and the trio of ecosystems – rainforest, rocky shore and living ocean – that make up the underwater zoo. Naturally, you can also add immersive experiences to your ticket, including live shows, guided tours, feeding time with the penguins and otters and an opportunity to touch eagle and cownose rays. And if you wish to (quite literally) immerse, you can even book a diving experience with the sharks and stingrays.

Dubai Aquarium in Numbers

Clownfish in an aquarium
  • Size. The suspended aquarium tank is one of the biggest of its kind on the planet, containing 10 million liters of water. That’s about the same as four Olympic-size swimming pools.
  • Animals. There are over 140 species of aquatic animals to ogle at Dubai Aquarium, including over 400 sharks and rays, and one of the world’s largest collections of sand tiger sharks.
  • Displays. The aquarium tunnel is 48 meters long and takes you 11 meters beneath the surface; there are 40 individual aquatic displays in the underwater zoo, starring seahorses, otters, piranhas, colorful cichlids and more.

Dubai Aquarium Highlights

Woman in an aquarium tunnel
  • It’s likely you’ll spend more time in the underwater tunnel than just about anywhere else at Dubai Aquarium. Here’s where to cram your camera roll with close-ups of curious critters including giant groupers, stately stingrays, and nosey nurse sharks.
  • The underwater zoo zone features an eye-popping array of colorful characters. Don’t miss the majestic king croc and his queen, plus giant spider crabs, playful otters and ultra-cute gentoo penguins.
  • Feeding times are among the most exciting events in the aquarium’s day. Watch staff as they hand-feed the rays and dive daringly deep into the aquarium tank for a shark feeding frenzy.

Lost Chambers Aquarium: The Lowdown

Girl watching jellyfish at the Lost Chambers Aquarium
  • Size. Epic. An 11-million-liter tank (the Ambassador Lagoon), plus over 20 exhibits and an octagon of mysterious chambers make this the largest open-air marine habitat in the Middle East.
  • Animals. Around 65,000. That’s a heck of a lot of critters.
  • Displays. In addition to the Ambassador Lagoon, there are 21 aquatic exhibits to explore.

Lost Chambers Aquarium Highlights

A chamber at the Lost Chambers Aquarium
  • The Ambassador Lagoon is where it's at for all your Insta-perfect selfie backdrop requirements. Get in the picture as colorful blue-spotted stingrays, massive Queensland groupers and regal zebra sharks soar past behind you.
  • Take the guided Myth of Atlantis tour to learn all about the myths and legends of the lost city, and the underwater creatures that now inhabit its chambers.
  • Feeding times here are pretty special, but nothing beats the amazing shark safari experience, in which willing participants wear glass diving helmets and stroll across the bottom of the Ambassador Lagoon aquarium as these majestic creatures of the deep soar overhead.

Dubai Aquarium Vs Lost Chambers Comparison: Which is Better?

Fun at the Lost Chambers Aquarium

It’s a tough call. Both are great family days out, with plenty to keep even the most incurious kids entertained for hours on end. If you like your exhibits themed, perhaps Lost Chambers will edge it for you, but both have plenty to offer. You can also combine with other activities in both locations: Dubai Mall is also home to the DXB Play VR amusement park, a 22-screen cinema, KidZania, and a real-life diplodocus skeleton, while Atlantis The Palm offers an epic water park and the opportunity to swim with dolphins in addition to its Lost Chambers Aquarium.

Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

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A Christmas panorama at a Dubai mall
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How to spend Christmas in Dubai

Swap the snow for the sands and the insulated jackets for the T-shirts, it’s Christmas in Dubai! The festive season is embraced by the emirate not for its religious importance – since only 14% of residents are Christian – but for its cultural significance. With 200 nationalities living, working and visiting Dubai at Christmas, there’s a vast miscellany of events to put you in the festive mood, from ballet performances to Christmas markets – and all with the sort of weather you probably won’t be getting back home until late spring or early summer. Keen to discover what Dubai is like at Christmas? Take a look at our favorite ideas! Getting into the Christmas spirit Christmas begins to take hold in Dubai from around the second week of December and continues well into January. Interestingly, the big day itself isn’t a public holiday, so you’ll see plenty of people heading to work as usual. This doesn’t stop anyone getting into the Christmas spirit. If you’re staying at one of the grander hotels that dot the cityscape, Christmas will probably kick off with an all singing and all dancing tree lighting ceremony. Christmas trees at many of the best-known names in accommodation soar from their lobbies up multiple stories, dazzling even the most hardened individuals. Catch the unveiling itself and you’ll be treated to some of Dubai’s finest voices, alongside complementary bites to eat and glasses of something special. Failing this, the shopping malls also spare little expense in providing their December visitors with fitting decoration. Head to the Dubai Mall, and as well as checking out the residents of Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, you can also admire the world’s largest bauble, weighing more than a ton! Explore the Christmas markets As you might expect from one of the world’s best shopping destinations, Dubai has plenty of opportunity to splash the cash on unique gifts and keepsakes with a Christmas market never far away. On the southern side of the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Harbor – the outer extent of Dubai Marina – is packed full of seasonal treats. Not only are there the stalls that make it a marketplace, but also a snow zone and ice rink. For further wintry wonderlands, head to Ski Dubai. Besides pitting yourself against the world’s largest indoor ski park, Santa stands by waiting to give out goodie bags to the kids whilst more sedate visitors can sit back and enjoy a Christmas movie at the snow cinema. Elsewhere, Fort Island’s Souk Madinat Jumeirah combines the traditional feel of an Arabian marketplace with a little extra Christmas sparkle. The food and drink options are particularly top-notch here, but there’s also plenty to keep the kids entertained as you soak up the ambience. Book tickets for a show With the Christmas weather in Dubai dominated by temperatures of around 25°C, even if the sun does disappear behind a cloud you’ll have little reason to head indoors. However, you may well want to, given the range of shows. For a traditional Christmas treat visit Dubai Opera. Sometimes overshadowed by its proximity to the observation decks of the Burj Khalifa, it is all the same a concert venue hosting the best comedians, music and performances of the moment. Come December, look out for tickets to the Nutcracker – a ballet set on Christmas Eve – and other seasonal favorites. Or satisfy your nosiness with a behind the scenes tour of the venue instead. The Theatre in the Mall of the Emirates also does all it can to welcome in the spirit of Christmas, putting on live performances of family-favorites such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. One of the newest destinations in Dubai, the QE2 floating hotel and venue has another stellar schedule of modern Christmas tunes and even traditional British pantomimes. Eat, drink and be merry Since the three wise men came from the east, it’s entirely possible their journey contained a stop at the small coastal settlement that Dubai would have been at the birth of Christ. You can get a feel for life in the desert with a safari and BBQ dinner, combining authentic cuisine and hospitality including belly dancing with more contemporary desert adventures. These include sand boarding after topping the dunes by 4WD. But for a full regional culinary experience turn to the Al Hallab restaurant, whose chefs lean on hundreds of years of cookery and recipes to bring you mezze, meat platters and sweet dishes packed full of flavor. If it’s a turkey dinner and all the trimmings you’re after, Dubai won’t disappoint either. There are plenty of restaurants open on December 25 and the surrounding days, with specially prepared seasonal menus listing no end of picks that will take you right back to your childhood. Take advantage of Dubai’s coastal location Anyone used to the frigid water temperatures of North America and Europe at Christmas might first baulk at seeing people in Dubai lounging on its beachfronts just as Santa is heading off on his epic present-giving extravaganza. But the fact is, with sea temperatures equal to those on land in the middle twenties Celsius, there are limited excuses for failing to switch to your swimwear. Drifting along the historic heart of Dubai on a traditional dhow made by craftspeople by hand is just as easy, and a great way to discover the areas of Bur Dubai and Deira, both of which relied on sea trade for centuries for their growth and wealth. An alternative way to take in the area is with a sunset kayak tour, putting you in control of your own vessel whatever your experience and skill level. Visit Dubai at Christmas and save! There’s no doubting Christmas is a good time to visit Dubai. The climate is amenable to getting out and about whether you aim to discover Dubai Creek or the dunes of the desert, whilst the festive offerings come thick and fast. Christmas markets, nights at the theater and food, glorious food are all part of what makes Christmas in Dubai special. But if you needed one more reason, that’s going to be Go City. Travel to Dubai with one of our passes and you’ll discover the magic of huge reductions on attraction admission to many of Dubai’s best things to see and do at Christmas.
Ian Packham
Aerial shot of the Palm Jumeirah Dubai
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When is the best time to visit Dubai?

When is the best time to visit Dubai? And when should you not visit Dubai? Which are the best months for those with half an eye on budget, and what are the factors you should be looking out for when planning your trip to this Middle Eastern playground? If you’re asking any of these questions, you’re just a couple of minutes from learning the answers to them. You’re very welcome! Weather in Dubai The biggest factor worth considering when planning your Dubai vacation is the emirate’s weather. If you’re looking for a climate that can be relied upon to deliver, Dubai is the destination for you. The desert environment means monthly average temperatures in Dubai don’t drop below a very pleasant 24°C. But winter sports lovers shouldn’t despair, it’s still possible to hit the slopes at Ski Dubai. The lowest temperatures, of 24-28°C, are found between December and March, with January the coolest month. However, lower temperatures bring cloud and some rain – 16 mm in December and 28 mm in February. So if you’re heading to Dubai for the beaches, you might want to pick another time of year. Overall, the best time to visit Dubai for weather is the months of April and October/November. Although temperatures rise to the low thirties Celsius, clear skies show off the state at its very best and make for the perfect time of year to take in the views from the top of the Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest building. May through August sees temperatures rocket. They quickly hit 38-40°C, emptying beaches and filling the air-conditioned malls. The desert outside of the city is an absolute no-no at this time of year and streets are all but deserted during the hottest parts of the day. What’s the best time to visit Dubai for events? Generally speaking, events are few and far between during the summer months, as no one seeks to do anything much very fast and even residents struggle with the heat. It is one of the best times to visit Dubai for shopping though, with Dubai Summer Surprises extending across July, August and September to lure shoppers to its multitude of stores with the promise of great discounts, live performances and raffles with top prizes including gold bars and luxury cars. Don’t forget that The Dubai Mall is also home to Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. By comparison, the first months of the year are packed with events. It all kicks off with the New Year fireworks, which radiate out from the Burj Khalifa as well as erupting in the skies above Palm Jumeirah and Festival City Mall among many other locations in the city. They give way to the rather more sedate Desert Classic, bringing the world’s top golfers to the emirate in search of tournament glory. February welcomes the likes of Roger Federer and Ashleigh Barty to the hardcourts of the Dubai Tennis Championship, with music aficionados also well catered for with the Dubai Jazz Festival. As much a society event as a horse race, the rich and famous are sure to make time in their diary for the Dubai World Cup, the world’s richest horse race, alongside World Art Dubai, the region’s largest contemporary art fair. There’s another chance to enjoy spectacular fireworks, as well as military flypasts and temporary cultural villages to remind everyone of their heritage on December 2, the National Day of the United Arab Emirates of which Dubai forms a part. Best time to visit for budget travelers The cheapest months to visit Dubai when it comes to flight and accommodation rates can be found during the city’s low season. This corresponds exactly with the summer, lasting from May through September. Unless a 4x4 quad bike ride in the desert is an absolute must, it’s worth considering these months if money is at the forefront of your mind. Alternatively, think about heading to Dubai in March or September instead. Temperatures are more amenable for exploring the ancient souks but high season prices aren’t yet kicking in. With schools in session right around the world, crowds are also minimal, making a trip to MOTIONGATE or Ferrari World all the more enjoyable. Visiting Dubai during Ramadan The holy month of fasting, Ramadan ends with the celebration of Eid al Fitr: families often buy their children gifts or new clothes and there are plentiful sweet treats to be had - keep an eye out for gars, a crumble sweetened with dates and cardamom, porridge-like harees and syrup-soaked lugaimat. This three-day no holds barred festival sees Dubai at its busiest. While it can definitely be an enriching cultural experience to visit at this time, be aware that it will mean some changes to your typical sightseeing. It is forbidden to eat, drink, chew gum or smoke in public, with many cafés and restaurants outside of hotels remaining shut during the day. Fines can be issued if you are found to be disrespecting these rules. In addition, some religious sites may shut their doors to non-Muslim visitors and taxis can be difficult to find in the early evenings, when drivers usually break their fast. Similarly smaller attractions may have shorter opening hours, whilst many stores choose to stay closed during the day and instead open for much of the night. Just a few things to consider if you're contemplating a trip during this period. Visiting Dubai with Go City Try it for yourself and we think you’ll soon agree that the best time to visit Dubai is the time you visit with Go City. We provide visitors to the world’s top destinations with discounted admission on a whole range of popular attractions. There’s no need to change your vacation plans or ditch your dream things to do. So whether it’s thrill seeking in Dubai’s amusement parks, absorbing the region’s culture at a culinary experience or taking a tour by traditional dhow or modern kayak, substantial savings can be made.
Ian Packham
dubai in october
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Dubai in October

Dubai is pretty warm all year round, but you may be surprised just how warm it can be during months you usually find colder. Take October, for example. Heading there then can feel like a summer holiday all on its own, so check out our guide to Dubai in October and see if it's the month for you! Including: Dubai weather in October Cool off at Dubai's water parks Dubai's brilliant beaches Relax at Dubai's beach clubs and more! Dubai in October: What to Expect While for many of us, October is the final nail in the summer coffin as we prep for the cold and wet of the coming winter, that's not the case in Dubai. You can expect highs of around 97°F and lows of around 75°F. That's...peak summer weather in many parts of the world. As such, dress and prep for a summer holiday! Light clothes, giant hats, and liters of sunscreen should do the trick. Dubai in October: What to Do Water parks With temperatures that high, you'll want to make the most of the sun while staying as cool as possible. And what's the best way to do all that? Well, at a water park, of course! Lather up with your factor 1000, put on your best beachwear, and get sliding. Unsurprisingly, Dubai has some great water parks, such as Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm. There, you'll find plenty of rides that cater to both the young and old. Aquaconda - nice wordplay - throws you down a head-spinning snake of a ride, with twists and turns around every scaly corner. There's Poisiden's Revenge, which drops you down at 60mph into a massive pool. And to cool off, they even have their own beach where you can relax or hop in a kayak! For little ones, there's LEGOLAND® Water Park, where the wonderful world of colorful building blocks comes to life. With 20 LEGO®-themed rides featuring some recognizable faces, your kids will love it. The Joker Soaker pits you against Batman's worst enemy as you splash around his playground. And at LEGO® Slide Racers, you'll board your mat and bomb your way down this white knuckle ride. Thrills, chills, and hopefully, no spills await you. Perfect for kids and big kids alike. Beaches The brave among you may wish to forgo the pleasures of the splash and instead embrace the heat in all its glory. Well, where better to do that than at the beach? With enough sun, sand, and sea to make your head spin, just be sure to pack the aforementioned sunscreen and hat! Jumeirah Beach Residence - or JBR, is one of the city's biggest and best beaches, if relaxation is your aim. This massive beach has everything you could ever want - clean white sand, warm blue water, and enough space to stretch out and make the most of it. You can't swim after sundown due to the lack of light in the water, but you can certainly pitch your tent on its shores all night long. Or, if you want to make a day of it, check out La Mer. There, you'll find stunning seaside views, watersports, shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities you won't find anywhere else. There's a cinema on-site, if you like the talkies, and you can even rent your own private beach house for the day. Nice. Beach clubs If you're looking for beach vibes but need a little shade on a warm October day, then hit up a beach club instead. Part beach, part pool club, part restaurant, they pack a relaxing punch you won't find anywhere else in Dubai. For ultimate relaxation, hit up the Mediterranean stylings at Twiggy by La Cantine. Named after the famous model that embodied the spirit of the swinging sixties, you'll find this beach club laden with white silk, white lounge chairs, and white, well, everything else. Alongside the massive infinity pool, you'll enjoy a welcoming menu of European bites. Alternatively, a livelier option is Surf Club, which features resident DJs, dancing through the day, and a stacked bar. A cool night's travel Fancy seeing all of Dubai's sights, sounds, and highlights in one chilled night? Then you'll fancy the hell out of a Dubai Magical Night Tour. Joined by a knowledgeable yet humorous guide, you'll be transported around the city, see the most recognizable Dubai landmarks, and do it all under the comforting coolness of Dubai's October night sky. You'll cruise by the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, the Burj Al Arab, Dubai Harbor and more. Make sure you have space on your phone camera to capture the stunning sights of the city's night lights. An evening stroll in the desert If you're less about sightseeing and more about sight visiting, then how does a desert safari that culminates in a relaxing BBQ dinner sound? Pretty great, right? From your hotel, a 4x4 will whisk you away to the amazing dunes in Dubai's surrounding desert. And yes, you'll still have plenty of time to snap pics of the mesmerizing scenery before you reach the desert camp. Then, you'll be treated to a traditional BBQ meal of grilled meats, veg, and other delights. But that's not all; there are also activities and entertainment for you to enjoy long into the night. Watch a belly dancing show, smoke some authentic shisha, ride a camel, and even get some henna painted on you! Then, when the night is over, you'll be taken right back to your hotel. Night boat And finally, we'll end our guide to Dubai in October with another cool night activity. Take to the waters around Dubai Marina and tour the shoreline, the highlight being the towering Ain Dubai. Your one-hour tour will take you past Jumeriah Beach and Bluewaters Island, before you set eyes on Ain Dubai- the tallest observation wheel on the planet! You can set off at 6:30PM to see the sunset, or at 9PM to see Dubai's lights shimmering off the water. Either is beautiful, so choose whichever suits you and get sailing! And that's our guide to Dubai in October! Looking for other suggestions? Why not check out Go City? With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Dubai's best bits when and how you want. There's so much to do, see, and experience that no matter what you decide to do, you'll love your time in the city!
Dom Bewley

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