Updated: March 28, 2024

Dubai Dolphinarium is the first fully air-conditioned indoor dolphinarium in the Middle East, providing habitat to dolphins and seals, allowing the public to watch and interact with them through live shows and photo sessions. It is located in the creek side park at Bur Dubai near the Children’s City. Dubai Dolphinarium was opened on May 21, 2008 by Dubai Municipality, and is sponsored and supported by Dubai government to provide the general public with entertainment and also educate them regarding dolphins, seals and other marine organisms.[1] It was also reflected that interacting with such friendly mammals like dolphins will motivate young generation to protect marine life and the environment.
Dubai Dolphinarium is a 5,000-square-meter (54,000 sq ft) modern marine facility with around 1250 seating capacity. The Dolphins have their own private habitat area with 600 cubic metres (160,000 US gal) of sea water connected to the main arena pool. There is a separate medical pool and seal pool constructed considering well-being of these marine mammals.[2]

The dolphinarium complex also features group and kids activities, birthday parties for kids, school field trips, group events, trampoline, swim with dolphins, mirror maze, bird show, a restaurant providing quick and fun meals for kids and a mini 5-D & 7D cinema theater.

Dubai Dolphinarium is home to bottlenose dolphins and Northern fur seals.[3] These dolphins and seals were reportedly bought from a country belonging to the Commonwealth of Independent States, an alliance of 11 former Soviet republics.[4]