Sink Your Teeth Into Atlantis Dubai’s Shark-Themed Programmes And Celebrate The UAE’s Native Shark Species

Atlantis Dubai is celebrating the UAE’s native shark species from Saturday, 24^th June to Sunday 2^nd July. The theme this year is “Sharks of the UAE”, and The Lost Chambers Aquarium is set to be transformed into a watery world for shark enthusiasts with a jaw-dropping array of fun and educational experiences on offer. There has never been a better time to learn about the UAE’s native shark species and how we can help protect them.

What’s more, through the Atlantis Atlas Project, Atlantis Dubai will double its 1 USD contribution all week long for marine experiences participated in by guests. Shark-lovers can learn more about sharks, be inspired to protect them and give back to initiatives supporting the conservation of this fascinating species in the wild. The list of grantees receiving support from Atlantis Atlas Project’s 1 USD contributions will be awarded later this summer.

SHARK-THEMED PROGRAMMES

Dive Discovery, Predator Dive and Dive Explorer – During the scuba diving programmes available in the Ambassador Lagoon, the UAE’s largest open-air aquarium, guests will be taken on a shark-themed trail where they can swim amongst several shark species, discover mermaid purses (shark’s eggs) and might even be lucky enough to find a shark tooth to take home. Every guest who participates will also receive a free shark -t-shirt as a memento after the dive.

• Ages: 10 years old and above
• 24^th June – 2^nd July Timings:
  • Dive Discovery (For Non-Certified guests): Daily at 10am, 2pm, 5:30pm, 7:30pm
  • Predator Dive (For Certified Divers only): Daily at 6:45pm
  • Dive Explorer (For Certified Divers only): Daily at 9am
• Prices start from AED 1,050 including an educational briefing, refreshments, dive certificate, shark ID card, and a shark t-shirt. Guests should bring their own swimwear.

Aquatrek Xtreme and Shark Safari – Using a special shark-themed SeaTrek helmet, guests can venture 10m down to the bottom of the Ambassador Lagoon (Aquatrek Xtreme) or explore Aquaventure’s Shark Lagoon (Shark Safari) as an array of marine species, including sharks, rays and colourful fish swim by.

• Ages: 10 years old and above (Shark Safari), 12 years old and above (Aquatrek Xtreme)
• 24^th June – 2^nd July Timings:
  • Aquatrek Xtreme: Daily from 1pm and 4pm
  • Shark Safari (Includes Aquaventure admission): Daily from 1pm, 2pm and 3pm
• Prices start from AED 430 including an educational briefing, shark ID card, and a shark t-shirt. Guests should bring their own swimwear.

Shark Snorkel and Ultimate Snorkel – Donning a fun, foam shark fin, guests can swim on the surface of The Shark Lagoon (Shark Snorkel) or the Ambassador Lagoon (Ultimate Snorkel) and marvel at the stunning shark species including those native to the UAE, such as Zebra Sharks, Whitetip Reef Sharks and Arabian Carpetsharks, as well as a whole host of other marine life.

• Ages: 6 years old and above
• 24^th June – 2^nd July Timings:
  • Shark Snorkel: Daily from 10:30am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 4:30pm
  • Ultimate Snorkel: Daily from - 10:30am, 11:30am, 2pm, 3pm
• From AED 335 including an educational briefing. Guests should bring their own swimwear.

Shark Tales Tour – Guests are invited to go on an exclusive behind the scenes tour of The Lost Chambers Aquarium and discover how Atlantis Dubai cares for 65,000 marine animals. During the tour, shark fans can see all the stages of our shark breeding programmes including the newly hatched baby sharks in the nursery, see real-life shark jaws and teeth, and identify different species of sharks within the Ambassador Lagoon.

• Ages: all ages are welcome
• 24^th June – 2^nd July Timings: Daily from 11:30am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm, 4:30pm, 5:30pm, 6:30pm
• From AED 45

Shark Specialist – Budding Shark Specialists will enjoy a visit to the state-of-the-art Fish Hospital with our Aquarists and learn all about our different species of sharks and how we care for them. Guests will get a chance to feed our newly born sharks and rays, learn about our shark breeding programmes and discover what it takes to care for marine animals in The Lost Chambers Aquarium. 

• Ages: 8-14 years old
• 24^th June – 2^nd July Timings: 1pm on Monday, Wednesday, Friday
• Prices start at AED 300 including a certificate, complimentary photo, drawstring bag, and a reusable water bottle.

COMPLIMENTARY SHARK ACTIVITIES

Visitors to The Lost Chambers Aquarium will also be treated to a whole host of complimentary in-aquarium activities. This includes a Shark Quest Trivia Challenge from 10am-9pm daily where guests will follow a trail through the aquarium answering questions alongside life-size shark cutouts (entrants will be in with the chance to win a shark-themed weekend stay at Atlantis, The Palm); Shark-Themed Aquatheatre with Atlantis scuba divers at 10:30am and 3:45am daily; a Shark Nursery Expert Talk at 11am and 2pm daily; Underwater Shark Feeding for guests to discover how we feed our sharks and rays at 2:30pm daily; and a Shark Trivia Quiz for guests to test their razor-sharp knowledge at 6:30pm daily. 

Visitors can also say hello to the friendly mascot, who will be floating along The Avenues at Atlantis, The Palm and The Lost Chambers Aquarium daily from 9:30am to 6pm.

Aquaventure Waterpark guests can participate in the fun with a series of complimentary activities taking place at Neptune Tower, including a Baby Shark Dance (3pm daily), Shark Toss (4:30pm daily), Be A Shark Contest (5:30pm daily), and Shark Photo Frenzy (6:00pm daily). By participating, guests will have the chance to sink their teeth into some fun prizes.

SHARKS OF THE UAE

It's no surprise that many different types of sharks call the UAE home, at least for a few months of the year, as the UAE and its neighbouring countries are blessed with a rich and vibrant level of biodiversity. And as with any healthy ecosystem, sharks are there to maintain it. Here are a few little-known facts about the sharks who share the coastline with Dubai residents:

1. Most sharks are actually coastal species but will rarely venture inland. There are yearly sightings of large whale sharks along the beaches and the marinas of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
2. One of the most common species of sharks that lives in the Gulf is the Blacktip Reef Shark. Blacktip Reef Sharks are generally small, growing only to a maximum of 1.6 metres with a slim and streamlined body shape. With their calm and docile nature, these sharks pose very little threat to people and are certainly not to be feared.
3. Fears about sharks are often misguided, as sharks are far less dangerous than movies like Steven Spielberg’s 1975 classic ‘Jaws’ depict. A shark’s instinct when discovering that humans are near is to turn the other way – because more often than not, the average-sized person will be much bigger than most sharks.
4. Sadly, approximately 75 million sharks are killed every year, either through targeted fisheries or as bycatch, with the main driver being their fins which are used for shark fin soup. Sharks play a crucial role in maintaining the health of the oceans, and therefore must be protected. The presence of reef-associated sharks in the UAE’s ecosystem is a promising sign that it is healthy.
5. To help protect sharks under threat in the wild, people can choose to buy responsibly-sourced seafood, avoid buying shark products, and support organisations that work to protect this fascinating marine animal.

 To learn more about Atlantis Atlas Project and get involved with its upcoming initiatives, please visit: www.atlantis.com/atlasproject.