SeaWorld Abu Dhabi has opened its doors.
The attraction on Yas Island features eight marine environments or realms, each with themed offerings, across a five-storey indoor venue that covers 183,000 square metres.
Here's everything you need to know about the marine life park, from the attractions to what to expect, ticket costs and how to get there.
What is SeaWorld Abu Dhabi?
The Abu Dhabi site is the first outpost outside North America. Similar to its parks in the US, there are rides, interactive exhibits and an aquarium that houses 150 species of marine life, such as sharks, manta rays and sea turtles, plus reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. There are retail outlets where visitors can buy themed souvenirs, as well as several dining options.
The attraction also has Yas Seaworld Research & Rescue, a 8,602-square-metre research complex created with a focus on marine conservation and education. It opened in February.
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi was developed by Miral, which is also behind other theme parks on Yas Island, such as Ferrari World, Warner Bros World and Yas Waterworld.
How much are the tickets?
There are several packages for entry, from single-day tickets to annual passes.
A day ticket costs Dh375 for adults and Dh290 for children. This includes all-day access to the park and its various experiences and rides.
Another option is the four-park ticket, which costs Dh675. This allows visitors entry to any of the four theme parks, including SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, within the island. It must be used within 14 days.
Annual passes are also on offer, from silver to diamond. These can be used in other Yas Island theme parks as well. SeaWorld Abu Dhabi has preopening discounts for these passes available until May 22.
How to get there and where to park
The attraction on Yas Island is near Yas Mall and Yas Park 1 and 2.
There is also a Google Map location for the parking area that can be found by typing in: “Seaworld Yas Island Abu Dhabi Parking”.
What is inside SeaWorld Abu Dhabi?
There are eight thematic sections: One Ocean, Abu Dhabi Ocean, Rocky Point, MicroOcean, Tropical Ocean, Arctic, Antarctica and Endless Ocean.
There are several animal displays and presentations, more than 35 interactive experiences and rides, plus 17 dining options and 13 retail outlets. There is also roaming entertainment across the realms.
One Ocean
One Ocean serves as the park's hub that connects to all the other realms. It embodies the educational aspect of the destination, with a 360-degree media experience as its centrepiece.
It also houses the Animal Care Centre, where visitors can watch vets and animal care experts at work.
One Abu Dhabi
This realm spotlights the marine ecosystem of Abu Dhabi and the Arabian Gulf. It offers a glimpse into the history of Bedouin families who took part in pearl trading.
It features Arabesque architecture with fort-like buildings and a replica of Abu Dhabi's Mina Port. It is also home to Naham theatre, which will host two live shows: one about the history of pearl diving and another featuring mermaids and dugongs.
This space replicates sunrise and sunset through lighting on the walls. For example, if the Sun is beginning to rise by the entrance, by the end of the day the other side of the realm will have the Sun setting.
Rocky Point
Designed like a hidden cove, this realm is home to the park's sea lions and other marine mammals. There are animal presentations of the sea lions, seals and otters, as well as birds such as pelicans and cormorants.
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi says it's used advanced technology to mimic the animals' natural habitat by controlling water currents, wave movements and lighting conditions. The realm also simulates natural sunlight and recreates seasonal light cycles through an advanced lighting system.
MicroOcean
This realm is described by the park as its “underworld playground” that features four child-friendly rides, as well as play areas. The idea behind the zone is that visitors are the size of plankton in the ocean.
The rides are Turtle Twist, Octozoom!, Jelly Plunge and Eel Racer. The two play areas are called the Kelp Climb and the Explorer's Sea Base. There is also roaming entertainment in this realm.
Tropical Ocean
This is the biggest realm of the eight. The space was created as a nod to the tropics, with Amazon rainforest-inspired decor, giant banyans, palm trees and plenty of natural lighting thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows on one side.
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi's dolphins are in this area, as well as rays and colourful fish swimming through a crystal lagoon. There are also flamingos, macaws and other tropical birds to see.
The Tropical Ocean realm is also home to Manta Coaster, one of two rollercoasters at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. The indoor-to-outdoor ride includes a trip under an aquarium.
Arctic
This realm is dedicated to the Arctic region, which is home to a diversity of animals from walruses to sea otters. Visitors can also experience the region's seasonal temperatures and light cycles in this zone.
Highlights include a walrus habitat, the Ahmed Ibn Majid Research Vessel and the Hypersphere 360-degree ride, an immersive multimedia sphere that takes visitors on a marine journey.
There is also a retail outlet selling Arctic-inspired souvenirs.
Antarctica
This is the second Polar Ocean-inspired realm, the Arctic's opposite pole where penguins can be found.
A zoological lighting system replicates the seasonal changes of the region, and allows the penguins to go through their natural seasons, from moulting to nesting.
Various kinds of penguins can be seen, including the distinctive macaronis, tiny rockhoppers and king penguins, the second-largest of all penguin species.
There is also the Penguin Play, an elevated structure with climbing nets and slides.
Endless Ocean
This realm has a large aquarium home to an array of marine life, with more than 68,0000 animals such as sharks, rays, octopus and schools of fish.
Seven other animal habitats are also in this space aimed at creating educational awareness of sea creatures and the vast ocean, one of which is The Swirl, where tens of thousands of sardines swim.
The realm will also be home to two soon-to-open experiences, diving with schools of fish and an underwater walking tour inside the giant aquarium.
Will there be orcas at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi?
The park will not have killer whales or orcas.
On its website it says: “Although orcas/killer whales are not part of the marine life theme park, we will offer opportunities to educate the community and raise awareness about this inspiring creature alongside other marine life species.”
More information is available on www.seaworldabudhabi.com.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
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WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Ultra processed foods
- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns
- margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars;
- energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces
- infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes,
- many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
More on Quran memorisation:
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Zayed Sustainability Prize
THE BIO
Ambition: To create awareness among young about people with disabilities and make the world a more inclusive place
Job Title: Human resources administrator, Expo 2020 Dubai
First jobs: Co-ordinator with Magrudy Enterprises; HR coordinator at Jumeirah Group
Entrepreneur: Started his own graphic design business
Favourite singer: Avril Lavigne
Favourite travel destination: Germany and Saudi Arabia
Family: Six sisters
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
