SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, a massive marine park nearing completion on Yas Island, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
This will be the first SeaWorld park outside the United States and will not feature orcas.
The Ocean in the Heart of the Desert
The park features a children’s play area.
Often described as “the ocean in the heart of the desert” and “the next generation of marine-themed parks”, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi boasts the world’s largest and most expansive aquarium and will house a professional Marine Research and Rescue Center.
Surrounding the main building of the park is a system of roller coasters, and a large glass window at the front will provide visitors with a glimpse inside the aquarium.
Additionally, there is the Endless Vista, which SeaWorld managers describe as “an impressive 20-meter tall vertical window with multiple levels offering breathtaking views of stunning aquatic scenes.”
Spanning 183,000 square meters, the amusement park is divided into five levels, and the aquarium will hold 25 million liters of water, home to over 68,000 marine animals.
At SeaWorld, guests will encounter “one of the most diverse collections of animals found in any marine park worldwide” within the aquarium, including sharks, massive schools of fish, rays, and sea turtles. Various marine species will live “as they do in their natural habitats.”
Marine Environmental Conservation
Marine life in the park thrives as if in their natural environment.
The aquarium will feature the theme “One Ocean,” divided into six zones. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore underwater natural environments through immersive storytelling techniques and the latest advanced technology. With 3D mapping technology and virtual reality, guests will be thrilled to participate in virtual scientific expeditions or deep-sea dives.
In addition to the aquarium, the Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue Center promises to become “an advanced knowledge hub focused on Gulf ecosystems and native marine life” and the “first dedicated marine research, rescue, rehabilitation, and recovery center in the UAE.”
Here, visitors will learn about the work of resident scientists and participate in educational programs about the species in what is dubbed the home of the ocean.
Educational programs for schools and groups will be provided for easy access for all.
The managers of SeaWorld and the asset management company Miral, supported by the Abu Dhabi government, first announced plans to build SeaWorld Abu Dhabi in late 2016. At that time, SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby stated that the decision to establish SeaWorld without orcas was a “significant step.”
Historically, orcas were the company’s symbol, but the captive animals became the focal point in campaigns against SeaWorld by animal rights activists.
SeaWorld ended its orca breeding program in March 2016, after years of pressure from activists, following the release of the critical documentary Blackfish in 2013, which documented the life of Tilikum, an orca that killed a SeaWorld trainer during a performance in Orlando in 2010.
The new park will be integrated with other attractions on Yas Island, such as Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi, and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi – where visitors will find the Formula Rossa, the fastest roller coaster in the world.
As the new SeaWorld nears completion, Marc Swanson, CEO of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, stated: “SeaWorld Abu Dhabi joins our chain of North American parks with global conservation efforts.
We have hundreds of experts focused on animal care, rescue and rehabilitation, conservation education, habitat protection, and species research.
We are excited to see the Yas Research and Rescue Center further expand SeaWorld’s positive global initiatives, with marine conservation being critically important.” The park is expected to open to visitors in 2022.
