Highlights of the Day
Today we visited Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, exploring SeaWorld and Ferrari World. SeaWorld is a fully indoor marine park featuring a variety of sea creatures, touch zones, dolphin shows, and a 360° immersive sphere experience. Lunch beside the flamingo pond was peaceful and memorable. Ferrari World showcased stunning cars, though many attractions required extra fees.
Logistics
Accommodation: Abu Dhabi Marriott Hotel Al Forsan
Transportation: Rental Car
🏨 A Pleasant Arabian-Style Breakfast
Starting the day with breakfast at a hotel in the UAE is always a delight! The hotel in Abu Dhabi embraced the rich Arabian aesthetic, from its décor to its ambiance. The breakfast buffet offered a fusion of Eastern and Western options — I was even surprised to find hot rice noodle soup! Despite the variety, my modest appetite only allowed room for one bowl 😊
🚗 Off to Yas Island
After breakfast, we drove about 30 minutes to Yas Island, one of Abu Dhabi’s premier leisure destinations. The island is home to four major theme parks:
- SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
- Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
- Yas Waterworld
- Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi
We chose to visit the first two today.
🌊 First Impressions of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is a collaboration with the U.S.-based SeaWorld company and is their first international branch. Perhaps due to concerns over heat and sandstorms, the entire facility is built indoors and climate-controlled year-round.
From the moment we stepped in, we were enchanted by the creative design — cascading water, floating whales, and a ceiling painted like blue skies and clouds. The atmosphere was truly uplifting.
Several large tanks featured creatures like small sharks and stingrays. Visitors were encouraged to gently touch the rays to increase sensory interaction, and there were hand-washing stations thoughtfully placed nearby.
🐢 Walking Underwater
Deeper inside, we entered a tunnel with a massive aquarium above. Fish and sea turtles glided slowly overhead, giving the illusion of strolling along the ocean floor.
One of the highlights we sadly missed was the Hypersphere 360°, an immersive motion sphere experience — I only realized later that it was a ride you could actually go inside!
🐧 That’s Not a Penguin?!
We also came across a cute animal I mistook for a penguin. Turns out, it was a puffin, with a bright orange beak — absolutely adorable and surprisingly similar to its Antarctic cousin!
🍗 Lunch with Flamingos
Next, we grabbed a casual lunch in the open-air fast food area near the dolphin show arena. As we enjoyed our meal — including a smoky turkey leg — we watched flamingos pacing leisurely around a nearby pond, waiting for the dolphin show to start.
While dolphin shows are familiar to many, their gentle nature and the seamless bond with their trainers never fail to move me.
Overall, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi impressed us with its scale and variety, all within an indoor setting. It may be smaller than its American counterparts, but avoiding the intense desert sun is a definite plus.
🏎️ Ferrari World: Bold, Sleek, and… Pricey
In the afternoon, we headed to the highly anticipated Ferrari World. The entrance alone was stunning — a sleek, arched structure that radiated power and modern elegance.
Inside, we admired a collection of stylish Ferrari cars. The design felt truly inspired. We picked a few laid-back rides, like the track ride around Roman-themed models — a mini “trip to Italy” of sorts 😄
However, we were surprised to find many attractions required additional payment, which dampened the experience a bit. In the end, the park felt more visually impressive than immersive.
🌍 A Tale of Two Emirates
Today marked the end of our UAE journey. The country is composed of seven emirates, and we had the chance to explore the two most developed:
- Dubai: Although it only covers 5% of the country’s area, it’s filled with ambition and innovation — from artificial islands to flying taxis, everything feels cutting-edge.
- Abu Dhabi: Covering a vast 87% of the UAE’s land, it’s the economic powerhouse. Projects like the Louvre Abu Dhabi showcase its wealth and vision. The emirate values global collaboration and makes bold, strategic moves.
Together, these two emirates reflect the UAE’s dynamic spirit — one that is modern, ambitious, and always reaching for the future.
✨ Final Thoughts
From the high-tech wonder of an indoor ocean park to the adrenaline-tinged elegance of Ferrari World — and flamingos, dolphins, and puffins in between — Day 7 captured the UAE’s unique blend of innovation and nature, tradition and ambition.
🌍 What’s Next?
Stay tuned for Day 8 as we cross boarder to visit Oman!
Have you ever visited Abu Dhabi YAS Island? What part amazed you the most?
Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear them!
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