Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Visitors to SeaWorld Abu Dhabi learned all about sharks as the marine life theme park in Yas Island Abu Dhabi celebrated Shark Week from 23 July (Sunday) to 30 July (Sunday). Visitors with a gold and diamond SeaWorld annual pass would have found their unlimited park access particularly beneficial as it would have allowed them to visit the park daily throughout Shark Week. 

Shark Week: What Is It?

Shark Week was originally an initiative by the Discovery Channel. It entails a one-week period anytime between July and August, during which time the channel features shark-focused educational and entertainment shows.

In its first year of operation, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi adopted the initiative by launching its version of Shark Week.

A Higher Cause: Protect the Sharks

Its goal is to raise awareness about the sad plight of sharks, millions of which are killed yearly through shark finning. Shark finning refers to cutting sharks’ fins off and leaving them to die. Shark fin is a prized ingredient in Asian cooking and medicine.

Sharks are essential predators in the ocean’s ecosystem, and it would be disastrous if they went extinct. Therefore, people must be made aware of how important and vulnerable they are. This way, people would stop consuming shark fin medication and delicacies, reducing the demand for shark fin and, ultimately, eliminating the danger posed by shark finning.

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Shark-Focused Activities

During Shark Week, visitors participated in shark-themed activities, including the following:

1. Sharkathon

This was a unique scavenger hunt to discover different shark species at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. Visitors collected stamps from the Education team and got a chance to win an exclusive behind-the-scenes shark tour.

1. Shark Feeding

Visitors joined the Dynamic Habitats team at The Swirl in Endless Ocean for a thrilling shark feeding session. Shark feeding at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi takes place daily at 2 p.m.

1. Shark-Themed Games & Activities

Park guests engaged in various shark-themed activities, such as educational sessions that taught them about the target feeding technique used in SeaWorld Abu Dhabi.

1. Educational Talks

Animal Experts at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi gave lectures on the different shark species in the theme park’s care, their distinctive behaviors, and the vital role they play in the ocean’s ecosystem.

1. Live Diver Chats

Visitors submitted questions for Endless Ocean divers. The divers answered the questions right from the aquariums.

1. Shark-Themed Dining

During Shark Week, visitors could enjoy shark-themed desserts at Endless Ocean.

1. Shark-Themed Shopping

Guests were able to purchase shark-themed merchandise from various SeaWorld shops. 

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SeaWorld Abu Dhabi’s Expeditions

There’s a wide range of animal encounters at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, including underwater expeditions, that will let you interact closely with the theme park’s marine animal residents. These encounters require a separate ticket; they’re not included in your entry ticket or annual pass, although pass holders do get a discount on experience tickets.

1. Walrus Encounter

Walruses look like bearded, grumpy old creatures but are quite amiable. Meet the colossal yet friendly marine mammals in this face-to-face walrus encounter.

This encounter is for anyone aged seven or older.

1. SeaVenture

This is an experience of a lifetime. Change into your bathing suit, don the park-provided wetsuit and underwater helmet and take an extraordinary underwater stroll, surrounded by marine animals. This tour will let you wander among the sharks, rays, and fishes in their park habitat.

This experience is for people 10 or older. Participants must not fly within 12 hours of their SeaVenture tour.

1. Seal and Sea Lion Encounter

Enjoy watching lively California sea lions and harbor seals in this memorable encounter. If you’re lucky, you may be able to get close to and personally interact with them.

This experience is for anyone aged two and older.

1. Sea Otter Encounter

Who can resist the charms of the curious, energetic, and undoubtedly cute otter? SeaWorld Abu Dhabi has northern sea otters; in this interaction, you can feed, play, and interact with them. You’ll also learn fascinating facts about them. 

This experience is for anyone aged two and older.

1. Dolphin Encounter

Bottlenose dolphins get their name from their distinctively short and stout snouts. The Dolphin Encounter will let you meet and interact with the park’s Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. 

The Dolphin Encounter is for anyone aged two and older.

1. SeaDive

In this memorable expedition, guests in park-provided wetsuits step onto a floating dock and into the water to swim with fish.

1. Penguin Encounter

Interact with cute, waddling penguins in the Penguin Encounter.

1. Kayak on a Tropical Lagoon

This experience involves kayaking around the lagoon amidst the dolphins.

1. Dugong and Sea Turtle Encounter

Dugongs, known as sea cows, are massive but gentle mammals that are native species of Abu Dhabi. In this encounter, you’ll get a chance to feed dugongs and observe Hawksbill sea turtles.

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Learn About Sea Animals at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is undoubtedly one of the best theme parks in the world. Not only does it have the world’s largest aquarium, exhilarating animal encounters, and unique experiences. It also educates you about the world’s precious sea animals.

Featured Image – https://www.latimes.com/