Fakieh Aquarium is Saudi Arabia’s only public aquarium, and it sits right on the Jeddah Corniche with the Red Sea glittering behind it. If you are planning a Jeddah family holiday, this is one attraction that genuinely earns a half-day slot in your itinerary. More than 200 marine species live here — from Red Sea reef fish and sand sharks to ancient turtles and a small colony of penguins — and the daily dolphin and sea lion shows give younger children a highlight they will talk about for weeks. The facility also includes a walk-through acrylic tunnel, a dedicated shark zone, and on-site dining with seafront views, making it one of the most complete family outings in the city.
Best Time to Visit: October to March (cooler weather for the Corniche walk), arrive by 3 PM for quieter galleries before the evening shows
Getting There: North Corniche, Al Nawras Roundabout — 20 minutes from King Abdulaziz International Airport by car
Visa Required: Yes — tourist e-visa
Budget: SAR 69–255 per person/family (roughly $18–$68 USD) depending on ticket type
Must-See: Underwater acrylic tunnel, dolphin and sea lion show, penguin gallery
Avoid: Arriving after 6 PM on Thursdays and Fridays — queues for dolphin shows peak at weekends
Why Fakieh Aquarium Is Worth Visiting
Jeddah has no shortage of waterfront entertainment, but Fakieh Aquarium is the only place in the Kingdom where families can walk through an underwater tunnel surrounded by sharks, watch trained dolphins perform aerial routines, and meet penguins named Gringo, Crunchy, Hannibal, and Jagger — all in a single visit. The aquarium opened as a project of the Fakieh Group and has grown into one of Jeddah’s most-visited family attractions, drawing both Saudi residents and international tourists exploring the wider Saudi Arabia travel circuit.
For families with children under ten, the combination of live animal shows, interactive exhibits, and a shaded indoor environment (critical during Jeddah’s summer months) makes it a practical and genuinely enjoyable outing. It is also located directly on Jeddah’s Corniche, so you can combine it with a sunset walk or playground visit along the waterfront.
Ticket Prices and Packages
Fakieh Aquarium offers several ticket options depending on whether you want the aquarium tour, the dolphin show, or both. Prices differ between weekdays (Saturday to Wednesday) and weekends (Thursday and Friday).
| Ticket Type | Sat–Wed (SAR) | Thu–Fri (SAR) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Aquarium Tour (10+ years) | 69 | 75 |
| Child Aquarium Tour (2–9 years) | 57 | 65 |
| Adult Dolphin Show | 85 | 85 |
| Child Dolphin Show | 75 | 75 |
| Family Pack (2 adults + 2 children under 10) | 229 | 255 |
| Children under 2 | Free | |
Tip: The Family Pack is the best value if you have two children — it covers the aquarium tour for four people and saves roughly SAR 25–30 compared to buying individual tickets. Book online through the official Fakieh Aquarium website to skip the ticket counter queue.
If you want both the aquarium tour and the dolphin show, combo tickets are available starting at approximately SAR 119–139 per person. Check the official website for current combo pricing, as promotional offers appear regularly.
Opening Hours
- Saturday to Thursday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Friday: 1:30 PM – 11:00 PM
- 5:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
- 9:00 PM
- Strollers: The aquarium is pushchair-accessible throughout, including the tunnel walkway. Spaces between tanks are wide enough for double strollers.
- Feeding and prayer rooms: A prayer room is available on-site. There are quiet corners suitable for feeding, though no dedicated nursing room.
- Attention span: The full aquarium tour takes 60–90 minutes at a family pace. Combined with a dolphin show, expect a 2- to 3-hour visit.
- Splash risk: Front rows at the dolphin show may get splashed. Dress children in clothes you do not mind getting damp, or sit three rows back.
- Temperature: The aquarium is air-conditioned, which is a relief in Jeddah’s summer heat (regularly above 40°C from June to September). Bring a light layer for children who feel the cold indoors.
- Blue Ocean Restaurant: The on-site seafood restaurant offers full meals with seafront seating. It is a step above typical attraction dining — expect grilled fish, rice dishes, and fresh juices. Prices are moderate by Jeddah dining standards.
- Fast-food cafe: A casual counter-service cafe inside the complex serves sandwiches, burgers, and snacks. Useful for families with picky eaters or tight schedules.
- Outside food: Light snacks brought from outside are generally tolerated, though full picnics are discouraged.
- October to March: The best months for a Jeddah trip overall. Temperatures hover around 25–30°C, and you can comfortably combine the aquarium with a Corniche walk or a trip to Jeddah’s souqs.
- April to September: Daytime temperatures exceed 35–45°C. The aquarium becomes an even more attractive option precisely because it is indoors and cool. Visit in the late afternoon and stay for an evening show.
- Ramadan: Opening hours may change during the holy month. The aquarium typically opens after Iftar (sunset meal) and stays open late. Check the official website before visiting.
- School holidays: Saudi school breaks (typically late May to early September, plus mid-year breaks) bring higher visitor numbers. Weekday visits during term time are the quietest.
- Jeddah Corniche: A 30 km waterfront promenade with playgrounds, sculptures, and picnic areas — ideal for families with children.
- King Fahd Fountain: The world’s tallest fountain, visible from the Corniche and best viewed at night when illuminated.
- Al Balad: Jeddah’s UNESCO-listed historic district, roughly 15 minutes south by car. The coral-stone buildings and narrow alleyways offer a complete contrast to the modern Corniche.
- Al Shallal Theme Park: An amusement park on the Corniche with rides, an ice rink, and a bowling alley — another strong option for families with older children who want theme park rides.
- Red Sea Mall: One of Jeddah’s largest shopping centres, approximately 10 minutes inland. Useful for families needing supplies or air-conditioned browsing on a hot afternoon.
- Camera: Photography is permitted throughout (no flash). The tunnel and jellyfish tanks produce the best photos.
- Comfortable shoes: You will be walking and standing for 1–3 hours.
- Light jacket: The air conditioning is strong. Children in summer clothing may feel cold after an hour indoors.
- Sunscreen and caps: For the walk to and from the car park and any time spent on the Corniche before or after.
- Cash or card: The ticket counter and on-site shops accept both. Online booking via the website uses standard card payments.
- Jeddah Travel Guide 2026 — The complete guide to exploring Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea gateway
- Jeddah with Kids — Family-friendly attractions, beaches, and activities along the coast
- Best Theme Parks for Kids in Saudi Arabia — Rides, waterparks, and indoor play across the Kingdom
- Jeddah Street Food Guide — Kabsa, mutabbaq, and the best local bites
- Saudi Arabia Travel Guide 2026 — The complete guide to visiting the Kingdom
- Saudi Arabia Visa Guide — Every visa type explained
The aquarium stays open late, which is useful for families who prefer evening visits when temperatures are cooler. Friday’s later opening reflects the weekly prayer schedule. The last ticket sale is typically one hour before closing.
Dolphin and Sea Lion Shows
The dolphin and sea lion shows are the headline attraction, and for good reason. Three resident dolphins and two sea lions — Kira and Lula — perform a 30- to 40-minute show that includes jumps, flips, ball tricks, and audience interaction. The shows run at fixed times daily:
Shows run every day except Sunday. The 7:00 PM show tends to be the busiest, especially on Thursdays and Fridays. If you want better seats, aim for the 5:00 PM show and arrive at least 30 minutes early to secure front-row seating.
Important: Video recording is not permitted during dolphin shows. Photography without flash is allowed throughout the rest of the aquarium.
What to See Inside the Aquarium
Underwater Acrylic Tunnel
The tunnel is the centrepiece of the aquarium tour. You walk along a blue-lit pathway while sharks, rays, and schools of fish swim above and around you. It is genuinely immersive and gives children the feeling of being underwater without getting wet. The tunnel connects the main galleries and is included in every aquarium ticket.
Shark Zone
Fakieh Aquarium is home to Shakira and Pique — the only sand sharks in Saudi Arabia. The Shark Zone features a dedicated viewing area where you can watch these animals up close. The display also includes reef sharks and other predatory fish native to the Red Sea.
Penguin Gallery
Four penguins — Gringo, Crunchy, Hannibal, and Jagger — live in a climate-controlled enclosure. This is an unexpected highlight for children, since penguins are not exactly native to the Arabian Peninsula. Feeding times draw small crowds and are worth timing your visit around.
Coral and Jellyfish Exhibitions
The coral displays showcase species collected from the Red Sea, one of the world’s most biodiverse marine environments. The jellyfish exhibit uses specialised lighting to dramatic effect — translucent jellyfish pulse through colour-shifting water columns. Both exhibits are well-suited for visitors interested in Red Sea marine life.
Ancient Turtles
Two sea turtles named Pill and Joe belong to a species that has existed for over 200 million years. They have their own viewing tank and are a favourite with younger visitors. The aquarium provides educational displays explaining turtle conservation in the Red Sea.
Visiting with Children: Practical Tips
Fakieh Aquarium is designed with families in mind, and the experience is manageable even with toddlers. Here is what to know:
For families visiting from abroad: You will need a Saudi tourist e-visa before arrival. The online application takes minutes, and the visa is valid for one year with multiple entries.
Where to Eat
You do not need to leave the aquarium complex for meals:
For a wider range of options, the Corniche strip nearby has dozens of restaurants and cafes within a five-minute drive. Jeddah’s street food scene is also easily accessible from this part of the city.
Getting There
Fakieh Aquarium sits on the North Corniche at Al Nawras Roundabout, one of the most accessible stretches of Jeddah’s waterfront.
By Car
From central Jeddah, take the Corniche Road (Al Kurnaysh Road) north. The aquarium is clearly signposted near Al Nawras roundabout. From King Abdulaziz International Airport, the drive takes approximately 20 minutes via the highway. On-site parking is available and free, though spaces fill quickly on Thursday and Friday evenings.
By Taxi or Ride-Hailing
Uber and Careem both operate in Jeddah. Enter “Fakieh Aquarium” as your destination — every driver knows it. A ride from the airport costs approximately SAR 40–60. From Al Balad (Jeddah’s historic district), expect SAR 20–30.
By Public Transport
SAPTCO public buses serve the Corniche Road corridor. Bus coverage has improved significantly, though for families with young children, a taxi or ride-hailing app is more practical. Jeddah does not yet have a metro system, though one is under construction as part of the city’s Vision 2030 transport investments.
Best Time to Visit
Jeddah is hot year-round, but the aquarium is fully air-conditioned, so the season matters less than it does for outdoor attractions. That said:
Nearby Attractions
The North Corniche location makes Fakieh Aquarium a natural starting point for a full day out in Jeddah. Within easy reach:
What to Bring
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fakieh Aquarium suitable for toddlers?
Yes. The aquarium is pushchair-accessible, the tunnel and fish tanks captivate even very young children, and children under 2 enter free. The dolphin show is engaging for all ages, though toddlers may find the noise startling if seated in the front rows.
How long does a visit take?
Allow 60–90 minutes for the aquarium tour alone. If you add a dolphin show, budget 2–3 hours total. Families who want to eat at Blue Ocean Restaurant should add another 30–45 minutes.
Can I buy tickets at the door?
Yes, walk-up tickets are available. However, weekend shows (especially the 7:00 PM slot on Thursdays and Fridays) can sell out. Booking online in advance is strongly recommended for weekend visits.
Is the aquarium accessible for wheelchairs?
The aquarium is wheelchair-accessible, including the tunnel walkway. The dolphin show arena has accessible seating areas.
Are there gift shops?
Yes. A gift shop near the exit sells marine-themed toys, plush animals, and souvenirs. Prices are typical for attraction retail — expect SAR 30–100 for most items.