Destination Dubai: Inside Atlantis the Palm's Lost Chambers Aquarium

Did you know that Dubai’s Palm Islands are a collection of 3 artificial islands—Palm Jumeirah, Palm Deira, and Palm Jebel Ali—shaped like palm trees with a crescent on top? Seriously, here’s how they appear from space:

[READ] Destination Dubai: What it's Like Inside the World's Biggest Mall
[READ] Destination Dubai: At the Top of the Burj Khalifa & on the Dubai Fountain
[READ] Destination Dubai: Why the Big Bus Tour is Worth Every Penny

Believe it now? It's just too bad that I could only view its iconic shape via a skydive, helicopter ride, or from what I was told by a staff member at my hotel, atop a luxury restaurant housed in a skyscraper near the Dubai Marina. 

But the show must go on! The Big Bus Dubai ride across the Palm Islands still gave way to incredible views of its landscape from ground level. ​​

Beautiful homes, lavish hotels, private beaches, a monorail--I couldn’t think of a better way to live!

Before long we arrived at the backend of the Palm Jumeirah wherein lied Atlantis the Palm, a luxury hotel resort perched in front of an awe-inspiring view of the Arabian Gulf. 

My Big Bus Dubai Deluxe Ticket included free entry to the hotel’s The Lost Chambers Aquarium, so that’s where I went.

The Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis the Palm

I’ve only been to 2 or 3 aquariums in my lifetime so I was pretty thrilled to check out The Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis the Palm in Dubai. 

It was nothing out of the ordinary though, at least initially. A few jellyfish here, some lobster there, a couple of eel--it was marine life I had seen plenty of times over.

But then it happened: I stumbled on the Ambassador Lagoon, the largest open aired aquarium I had ever seen. I’m not talking “Hey, that’s cool to see." I’m talking, “Wow, this is ridiculously awesome!” 

Turns out the Ambassador Lagoon was home to 65,000 marine animals living in 11 million liters of water. 

I saw everything from stingrays, seahorses, and piranhas, to reef fish and various kinds of small sharks. 

The best part was catching tourists of all ages snorkeling down to the bottom of the tank. Now that had to have been an experience of a lifetime.

​It was nearing 7pm so I took a few more pictures and made my way outside to catch the sunset over the Arabian Gulf. 

Beautiful, isn't it? And with that, it was time for the Big Bus Dubai Night Tour!

The Big Bus Night Tour

I spent the last leg of Day 2 in Dubai cruising around the city on the Big Bus Dubai Night Tour. I flagged down the bus at Atlantis the Palms and grabbed a seat on the open aired deck as a tour guide provided key facts and commentary about Dubai over the next 45 minutes. 

​It was a great experience and I can’t recommend it enough. What a great way to end Day 2 of my adventure in Dubai.

[READ] Destination Dubai: Marinas, Beaches & the Hottest Water I Ever Swam In