SeaWorld is coming to Abu Dhabi in May

SeaWorld is coming to Abu Dhabi. The theme park announced that it will be opening its United Arab Emirates location on May 23.

Travel Pulse reports that SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment worked with Abu Dhabi-based real estate developer, Miral, to design and build the property on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island. The structure has five indoor levels, which amount to approximately 183,000 square meters.

“We’re very excited to share that the highly anticipated SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will open its doors very soon,” SeaWorld Chairman Scott Ross said. “We cannot be prouder and more honored to open our first SeaWorld outside of the United States with such dynamic and innovative partners as Miral and the UAE.”

Ross continued, saying, “By leveraging a fundamental SeaWorld design principle of putting animal well-being and care at the core of the design, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is set to redefine the standards of excellence for marine life theme parks across the world.”

Among the five floors, there will be eight realms for visitors to explore, including the Endless Ocean realm. This realm will feature the world’s largest and most expansive multi-species aquarium, containing over six million gallons of water and over 68,000 marine animals. According to SeaWorld Abu Dhabi’s website, the One Ocean realm “showcases portals to the other realms and the Animal Care Center. Here you can explore breathtakingly immersive stories of the One Ocean through our centerpiece 360-degree media experience.”

Over 100,000 marine animals will be at the new SeaWorld location, including 150 species of fish, mammals, reptiles and birds. Travel Pulse reports that the animal habitats were built in accordance with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) standards. SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will also be home to Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue, which opened in February. Arabian Business reports that the center “will rescue sick, injured and orphaned marine animals in the Arabian Gulf and provide life-saving rehabilitation with the goal of returning healthy animals back to their natural habitats.”

Roshae Hemmings is an arts and culture magazine journalist from St. Louis, MO. A graduate from the Missouri School of Journalism, Roshae has bylines in the Columbia Missourian, Vox Magazine and 5280 Magazine discussing topics ranging from pop culture, social justice and eat and drink. She is a foodie at heart and enjoys eating food as much as learning about the story behind it. When she’s not working on a story, Roshae enjoys cooking, watching and analyzing reality TV, and spending time with family and friends.

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This story was originally published March 23, 2023 at 3:45 PM.