Fakieh Aquarium had been on our list for months. Every expat family we met in Jeddah mentioned it, usually with the qualifier "you have to go to the dolphin show." So when we finally planned our October visit, expectations were... complicated. Would it live up to the hype, or would we spend 300+ SAR on underwhelming fish tanks?
The short answer: it's genuinely good, but there are things I wish I'd known before we went.
First Impressions
Fakieh Aquarium is located on the Corniche, which means you're dealing with Jeddah's waterfront traffic situation. We arrived around 10 AM on a Saturday, thinking we'd beat the crowds. We did not beat the crowds. The parking lot was already filling up, and there was a queue at the ticket counter.
Lesson one: buy tickets online in advance. The website is a bit clunky, but it works, and having printed tickets let us skip the line entirely. The entry fee was 75 SAR per adult and 50 SAR per child (prices as of October 2025), which is reasonable by Saudi attraction standards.
The facility itself is clean, well-maintained, and air-conditioned to a comfortable degree. After being outside in October heat, the immediate temperature drop was a relief for everyone.
The Aquarium Exhibits
Let me set realistic expectations: this is not Dubai Aquarium or the Atlanta Georgia Aquarium. The exhibits are smaller, the variety is more limited, and you can walk through the entire aquarium portion in about 45 minutes if you're not lingering.
That said, for Saudi Arabia, it's impressive. The main attractions include:
The Tunnel
A walk-through underwater tunnel with sharks, rays, and various fish swimming around and above you. My 5-year-old, Amina, was initially nervous but ended up lying on the floor staring upward for about ten minutes while her siblings moved on. The tunnel is the Instagram moment everyone talks about, and it delivers.
The Touch Pools
Supervised touch pools where kids can handle starfish, sea cucumbers, and other invertebrates. Our kids found this more engaging than I expected. The staff were patient with questions, and there was actual educational content happening, not just "poke the animal and move on."
The Red Sea Gallery
A section focused specifically on Red Sea marine life, which I appreciated for the local relevance. There's something meaningful about seeing creatures that live just offshore, rather than exotic species from distant oceans.
The Dolphin Show: Tears of Joy Edition
Now, the main event. The dolphin show happens in a separate area, and you need to time your visit around the show schedule. When we visited, shows were at 11 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM, and 5 PM. We caught the 1 PM show.
I'll admit, I was prepared to be cynically unimpressed. I've seen dolphin shows at SeaWorld and various Asian aquariums. This one, somehow, got to me. Maybe it was seeing my daughter's face during the jumps and tricks. Maybe it was the surprisingly skilled trainers. Maybe I was just tired.
"Daddy, the dolphin is dancing with the lady!" - Amina, age 5, completely overcome with joy
Amina cried happy tears during the finale. Not small, contained tears. Full-on sobbing happiness. Other parents around us were laughing sympathetically; apparently this is a common phenomenon. The show runs about 30 minutes and includes both dolphins and sea lions.
What I Wish Someone Had Told Me
Here's the honest stuff that would have improved our visit:
Arrive Early for Dolphin Show Seating
The arena fills up fast. We arrived 15 minutes before the 1 PM show and ended up in the back rows. For the 3 PM show, families were lining up 30 minutes ahead. If you want front-row seats (and trust me, you do for kids), plan accordingly.
The Splash Zone is Real
The first few rows of the dolphin arena are designated "splash zone" for a reason. Dolphins splash. A lot. If your kids are like mine and will melt down if their clothes get wet unexpectedly, choose seats accordingly. Or bring a change of clothes.
The Cafe is Expensive and Limited
There's a small cafe inside, but the food options are basic and overpriced. We paid 45 SAR for a mediocre sandwich. My recommendation: eat before or after your visit. There are better food options along the Corniche.
The Gift Shop Will Test Your Resolve
Located right at the exit (of course), the gift shop is full of stuffed dolphins, sharks, and other marine-themed merchandise. We'd made a "no gift shop" agreement with the kids beforehand, which only sort of worked. Budget 50-100 SAR for inevitable purchases if you have young children.
Is It Worth It?
Yes, with caveats.
If you're expecting a world-class aquarium experience comparable to major international facilities, you'll be disappointed. The exhibits are modest, the variety is limited, and the educational content, while present, isn't particularly deep.
However, if you're a family living in Saudi Arabia looking for a quality indoor activity that will genuinely engage and delight your children, Fakieh Aquarium delivers. The dolphin show alone is worth the trip, and the aquarium provides enough content for a solid 2-3 hour visit.
For us, watching Amina cry happy tears at dolphins was worth every riyal. Some experiences can't be quantified in exhibit count or square footage.
Practical Details
- Location: Corniche Road, Jeddah (near the floating mosque)
- Hours: 10 AM - 10 PM Saturday-Thursday, 2 PM - 10 PM Friday
- Tickets: 75 SAR adults, 50 SAR children (online booking recommended)
- Dolphin Shows: Multiple daily, check current schedule on their website
- Duration: Plan 2-3 hours including dolphin show
- Best Time: Weekday mornings for smallest crowds
For current show times and ticket booking, visit the official Fakieh Aquarium website. Their online booking system works, despite the occasionally slow loading times.
Last updated: October 2025
