Tourists and locals alike find it difficult to decide between the Dubai Aquarium and the Lost Chambers Aquarium.
Both offer unique marine experiences, from immersive thematic storytelling to diverse aquatic exhibits, making the choice challenging.
This guide aims to simplify the decision by comparing the two aquariums based on key factors such as location, pricing, aquatic attractions, and overall visitor experience.
With our help, you can pick the aquarium in Dubai that best aligns with your interests – or even visit both if time permits.
Quick Overview
Lost Chambers Aquarium is the better choice for those seeking a more immersive, thematic experience. It is ideal for couples, adults, or older children interested in unique encounters such as the Shark Safari.
Dubai Aquarium, on the other hand, is convenient for families with younger children, offering engaging attractions like the 48-meter tunnel, Underwater Zoo, and shark feeding sessions.
Lost Chambers impresses with its mythical Atlantis theme and large exhibits, while Dubai Aquarium stands out for its location in Dubai Mall, making it a perfect addition to a shopping day.
Features | Lost Chambers | Dubai Aquarium |
---|---|---|
Hours | 10 am to 9 pm | 10 am to 11 pm* |
Last Entry | 8 pm | 10.15 pm |
Duration of Visit | 2-3 hours | 3 hours |
Location | Palm Jumeirah | Dubai Mall |
Best Time to Visit | 10 am | 10 am |
Cost of Tickets | AED 120 | AED 199 |
Purchase | Buy tickets | Buy tickets |
*In Dubai Aquarium, weekends (Saturday and Sunday) have an extended closing time of 12 am, with the last entry at 11.15 pm.
More about the Lost Chambers Aquarium

The Lost Chambers Aquarium, located in Atlantis The Palm, offers a magical underwater experience themed around the mythical lost city of Atlantis.
With 65,000 marine animals from 250 species, the 11-million-liter Ambassador Lagoon is the centerpiece, where visitors can marvel at sharks, rays, and vibrant fish.
Unlike the Dubai Aquarium’s suspended tank and 48-meter (157 feet) walk-through tunnel, Lost Chambers creates a more immersive atmosphere with 21 Atlantis-themed exhibits that blend storytelling and marine biology.
Interactive activities, such as the AquaTrek Helmet Dive, allow you to walk underwater and explore marine life up close—an experience not offered at Dubai Aquarium.
Families can enjoy touch tanks, where children and adults can interact with starfish and sea cucumbers, adding an engaging element to the visit.
Hours: 10 am to 9 pm
Last Entry: 8 pm
Duration of Visit: 2-3 hours
Official Website: Aquaventureworld.com/lost-chambers-aquarium
Being the largest aquarium in the Middle East and Africa, the Lost Chambers is sure to get crowded at times, so it is best to book your tickets in advance. The general entry ticket is the most popular option among tourists. There are other exciting activities like snorkeling with the dolphins and diving underwater with high-tech helmets.
More about Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo

The Dubai Aquarium, located in The Dubai Mall, is one of the largest suspended aquariums in the world, housing over 1,000 aquatic animals from 140 species.
Its 10-million-liter tank features a 48-meter-long walkthrough tunnel (157 feet), providing 270-degree views of marine life, including the world’s largest collection of Sand Tiger Sharks.
In contrast to the Lost Chambers Aquarium’s thematic exhibits inspired by Atlantis, Dubai Aquarium offers a more diverse showcase with both the Aquarium and an Underwater Zoo on two levels, where visitors can see penguins, crocodiles, and piranhas.
The ‘Study the Sea Jelly Lab’ is a unique addition, where scientists recreate environmental changes to encourage breeding—a feature not available at Lost Chambers.
Dubai Aquarium’s location in The Dubai Mall adds convenience for combining it with shopping and other activities.
This popular wildlife attraction also offers glass-bottom boat tours and shark feeding shows.
Hours: 10 am to 11 pm
Last Entry: 10.15 pm
Duration of Visit: 3 hours
Official Website: Thedubaiaquarium.com
Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo receives an annual footfall of more than a million, so it is better to book your tickets in advance. Besides the General Admission Ticket, the Aquarium and Underwater Zoo All Access Pass, which comes with penguins, king crocs, ray, otter, or shark trainer encounter, is also popular. Tourists can also opt for the Burj Khalifa & Aquarium combo.
Why not visit them both?
For tourists with enough time and budget, experiencing both is entirely possible, as they offer different atmospheres and are located about 30 minutes apart.
Dubai Aquarium’s central location in The Dubai Mall makes it easy to combine with shopping or other attractions, while Lost Chambers, situated at Atlantis, The Palm, is ideal for a half-day trip.
Locals, on the other hand, can take advantage of Dubai’s less crowded weekdays to plan visits on separate days, spreading out the cost and time commitment.
While visiting both in one day might be difficult for tourists with time constraints, it’s practical to explore each on different days to enjoy Dubai’s top marine attractions without feeling rushed.