This week the Seaworld Yas Island opening date was finally revealed!
On March 21st Seaworld Parks & Entertainments alongside Miral announced that the SeaWorld Yas Island attraction will be opening its doors on May 23rd when it will officially be the largest marine theme park in the entire world!
Partnering with Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of immersive experiences, construction on the marine theme park began in 2016. It is situated on Yas Island near other attractions like Ferrari World, Warner Bros World and Yas Waterworld.
Containing over 25 million litres of water and over 100,000 marine animals, including 150 different species of birds, fish, mammals, and reptiles.
The park will also be home to two rollercoasters (although more information regarding this hasn’t been released just yet). From what we can tell one ride will be called Manta which will be a sit-down Intamin launch coaster and the other coaster will be manufactured by Zamperla and will be called Eel Racing Coaster.
Abu Dhabi will set themselves apart from other SeaWorld attractions by being a completely immersive experience featuring state-of-the-art technology and the highest standards for animal welfare. It’ll also be the only SeaWorld in the world not to feature Orcas.
The Chairman of Miral, His Excellency Mohammad Khalifa Al Mubarak, said in a press release:
“We are delighted to announce the opening of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi this May and proud of our partnership with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment to bring the region’s next-generation Marine Life Theme Park to Abu Dhabi and to Yas Island.
He continued, “Through its innovative programs and its state-of-the-art facilities, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi aims to inspire the next generation of conservationists and marine life scientists while fostering a deeper appreciation for the natural world. SeaWorld Abu Dhabi’s opening will mark an exciting new chapter in Yas Island and Abu Dhabi’s ongoing efforts to promote tourism, showcase the emirate’s truly unique offerings and position it as a top global destination.”
Scott Ross, chairman of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment said the following:
“Across all eight realms, the enthralling One Ocean story comes alive through realm designs that simulate the natural and dynamic environments found within the ocean alongside fun and educational experiences that inspire Guests of all ages to take an interest in our ocean’s future.”
The main section of the attraction will be called One Ocean with the other seven realms focusing on a variety of marine life. The areas include Abu Dhabi Ocean, Rocky Point, Micro Ocean, Tropical Ocean, Arctic, Antarctica, and Endless Ocean.
SeaWorld Yas Island Realms
Let’s dive in and explore more about the realms that will make up the SeaWorld Yas Island attraction opening this May!
Abu Dhabi Ocean
The guest journey begins in the Abu Dhabi Ocean realm, where guests will be carried to the shallow shores of the Arabian Gulf to learn more about the UAE’s historic seafaring tradition of pearl diving and trading.
Abu Dhabi Ocean will allow guests to experience up-close encounters with animals native to the emirate and wider region. This realm features several dining options including Matbakh Ummi, a signature dining experience with Arabic cuisine, and is also home to retail outlets in a Souk paying homage to Abu Dhabi’s heritage and its profound connection with the Arabian Gulf.
Abu Dhabi Ocean will also be the first touchpoint for guests to enrol in SeaWorld Abu Dhabi’s parkwide interactive game – S·E·A Guardian.
This area will feature dugongs, sea snakes, rays and sea turtles. Live characters and performances will feature in this area inspired by Abu Dhabi and its peal tradition. Stories will be told via characters and puppets.
One Ocean
One Ocean tells many captivating stories of our ocean and acts as the park’s portal to explore all the other realms at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. This realm’s iconic One Ocean Globe, situated in its center, represents the ever-changing flow of energy and nutrients around our planet.
The One Epic Ocean show will take guests on a journey using multi-media and a fleet of choreographed drones and spacial audio.
The story follows a young Emirati woman’s adventure with the Arabian Gulf, sparking an epic journey through the Earth’s most fascinating ocean environments and swimming side-by-side with species of all sizes; ultimately sharing the park’s core message; “we are connected to the ocean, and the ocean connects all of us”.
In between exploring the park’s realms, guests can plan their SeaWorld Expeditions by registering at the Explorer HQ to enjoy animal encounters and other unique experiences. Those hungry for a quick bite can visit Frozen Treats for everything from ultra-indulgent sundaes to multiflavored ice creams.
Also, part of this realm, guests can visit the beating heart of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi: the Animal Care Center. This state-of-the-art facility featuring cutting-edge veterinary equipment and technology provides the highest standard of animal welfare based on best practices and standards set by internationally recognized animal welfare organizations.
Polar Ocean
Polar Ocean houses two unique realms taking visitors from the icy expanse of ANTARCTICA to the rich, bio-diverse tundra of the ARCTIC, illustrating how these distinct and extreme environments of Polar Ocean form an essential chapter of the One Ocean story.
In these realms, guests can enjoy the colorful Juhani village and its harbor, depicting life in the North Pole, where walruses can be seen exploring their dynamic state-of-the-art habitats. The coldest of all realms will also simulate the temperatures that can be found in our planet’s polar regions – creating an environment well-suited for animals like penguins and walruses.
At the Polar Ocean realm, guests can enjoy an immersive ride, indulge in dining options, explore retail outlets and visit a massive research vessel filled with fun interactive ways to learn more about these diverse regions and their inhabitants.
MicroOcean
When visiting the Microocean realm, small is BIG and small is IMPORTANT as guests will be swept by the ocean tides and feel shrunk to the size of plankton.
In this realm, guests will have the chance to explore the ocean’s smaller wonders in a burst of colors and an immersive design highlighting the vital role of the ocean’s smallest marine-life. MicroOcean features family-friendly rides, play areas for the little ones, whimsical characters and performers, a playful retail outlet, and dynamic experiments taking young explorers on an unforgettable educational journey.
Designed specifically for kids, this realm invites young explorers to experience the vital role of some of the ocean’s smallest inhabitants through engaging and educational interactives, dynamic experiments, and fun play structures such as the Kelp Climb and the Explorer’s Sea Base.
The four family-friendly rides: OctoZoom!, Jelly Plunge, Turtle Twist and Eel Racer – each taking guests on an adventure in this microscopic underwater world. Eel Racer is a ride of particular interest as a family thrill roller coaster as you climb aboard a giant eel!
Guests should keep a lookout for friendly characters, whether it’s Krill Dude and his musical show with clams and barnacles or the quirky Sea Stars that pulse, expand, and shapeshift around the realm. Also, within MicroOcean is Bitsy Bites – a dining outlet perfect for guests to fuel up on their favorite foods between big (or small) adventures, including pizza, chicken fingers and slushies. Additionally, micro-shoppers can enjoy an array of plush animals, fun toy assortments and apparel available at MicroOcean’s retail outlet, Squirts.
Endless Ocean
Beyond the little wonders of the ocean, lies the expanse of the Endless Ocean realm. Home to the largest multi-species aquarium in the world, stunning observation decks and a beautiful glimpse from a 20m viewing window, aptly named the Endless Vista, in a sea cave, this realm’s possibilities are truly endless.
There will be over 68,000 animals within its awe-inspiring habitat including sharks, rays, eels and many more inspiring guests to explore the endless beauty and diversity of the vast ocean. Endless Ocean offers delectable dining options, including one fine dining option with mesmerizing views of the aquarium and one retail outlet.
Tropical Ocean
Bask in the warm sun along the sandy shores of the Tropical Ocean, the largest realm in SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, in a magnificent medley of colours, dancing waterfalls and a crystal-clear lagoon.
In Tropical Ocean guests will be able to see dolphins, flamingos and tropical birds including toucans in their lush rainforest aviary. Tropical Ocean also offers a thrilling roller-coaster ride, as well as retail outlets and delicious dining options with multiple viewing areas, both above and below water.
Rocky Point
Moving from the sun-kissed tropics to the USA’s rugged Pacific Northwest, the Rocky Point realm features a beautiful hidden cove with nesting sea lions and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to interact with these animals.
Not as cold as the Arctic and Antarctic, Rocky Point will also include dynamic habitats for the sea lions with a climate that emulates the Pacific Northwest. The realm also includes a boardwalk-inspired snack stand.
The realm features state-of-the-art technology such as an Advanced Animal Lighting System (AALS) that recreates night/day and seasonal light cycles like those found in USA’S Pacific Northwest. Intricately designed to provide an enriching experience for the sea lions and seals, the dynamic habitat features various species of fish and spaces where the animals can play, hide and rest providing them with the stimulation and comfort that they need to thrive.
At the Rocky Point Amphitheater, everyone is invited to witness an incredible Sea Lion Presentation. The story features sea lions, seals and birds and follows a group of local park rangers as they share with guests the playful nature of these unique animals. Rocky Point offers an authentic boardwalk snacking experience with Pretzel Point, where guests can indulge in a variety of freshly baked warm pretzels while they take in the sights and sounds of the marvelous habitat.
SeaWorld Yas Island Abu Dhabi will feature rides, shows, educational experiences and a brand-new animal care centre that helps rescue and rehabilitate nearby aquatic life.
The SeaWorld Yas Island opening date was announced with a very clever marketing photo of three scuba divers showing off just one of the large square aquariums.
