Sharjah Aquarium & Maritime Museum

Two Museums, One Ticket, and a Playground in Between

The Sharjah Aquarium and Maritime Museum sit next to each other in the Al Khan area and share a single joint ticket — AED 25 for adults, AED 15 for children aged 2 to 12, under-2s free. Between the two buildings there is a small shaded playground, which makes the whole visit feel like it was designed with families in mind. We had a wonderful afternoon here on a summer weekend and were surprised by how uncrowded it was — the kind of breathing room that Dubai attractions rarely offer.

The aquarium covers 21 tanks across two floors, with species from the Arabian Gulf — clownfish, seahorses, moray eels, reef sharks, and rays — alongside interactive screens, coral reef displays, and an underwater tunnel. There is also an active turtle rehabilitation programme on site, which the exhibits explain well and children find genuinely interesting. At the exit, a small café and souvenir shop overlook the Sharjah beachfront terrace — worth stopping at in the cooler months, though note the café is cash only.

The Maritime Museum next door is a spacious hall dedicated to the pearl diving, fishing, and seafaring traditions that shaped this coastline for centuries. The centerpiece is a full-sized pearling dhow surrounded by tools, navigation equipment, and diving artefacts. It is quieter and more reflective than the aquarium, but the exhibits are well documented, and older children engage with it more than you might expect.

Insider tip: shark feeding sessions run every Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday from 1pm to 1:30pm — time your visit around that if you can. The aquarium is open Saturday to Thursday 8am to 8pm, and Friday from 4pm.