Sea World Abu Dhabi’s latest attraction takes adventure-seekers where few have gone before — deep beneath the surface. The park’s new crystal-clear, bubble-like submersible promises an immersive journey into the park’s mysterious oceanic realm, along with an orientation in marine education. Khaleej Times took the plunge for a first-hand experience.

Designed to support critical marine studies similar to those used in deep ocean research, the SeaSub (or the RS Lanternfish) offers more than an underwater thrill ride. It will also help the park’s team conduct vital marine studies, including the husbandry and reproduction of the threatened sand tiger shark species.

Stepping into the delicate vessel, which took three years in the making, visitors must be wary of coming into direct contact with its acrylic. “Any scratch would lead to the whole body being taken out and replaced,” explained Brian Chouinard, senior zoological manager at Sea World Abu Dhabi and the submersible’s dive coordinator. Passengers are asked to remove their shoes and any dangling jewellery or rings with beads that may cause scratching.

Photo by Shihab

The research submersible has been carefully designed to fit the habitat of the park’s Endless Ocean realm. There, around 68,000 sea animals live harmoniously, including, sharks, rays, and schooling fish, said Mike Price, director of zoological operations at Sea World Abu Dhabi.

As the vessel paved its way out of the narrow corridor, Loui, the park’s famous manta ray, swam towards it to ‘peek in’. The four-metre-long manta is constantly followed by an entourage of smaller fish, drafting under its massive wings and behind its tail to benefit from its size. 

Watch the video, below:

“So, they wouldn’t have to put as much effort swimming through the water,” Price explained. “Loui could accelerate from them, but I don’t think it even notices their presence.” The five-year-old manta is expected to grow further in size once it reaches adulthood; mantas generally live between 50 to 60 years.

As the RS Lanternfish submerged deeper into the Endless Ocean, it became a spectacle for the surrounding creatures, who started swimming around it, and for the park’s young visitors, who enthusiastically waved at its passengers. 

From a batman-looking ray with its big black, wing-like fins and horns known as the ‘devil horn’, to the sand tiger shark casually dancing its tail through the water and the colourful parrot fish and purple tang, the aquarium’s animals looked like they were having “a party at the bottom” of the 20-metre-deep pool. Below the surface, passengers can view the fish from a different perspective, getting a close look at the shape of a shark’s jaw and teeth.

“It doesn’t get more immersive than this; you’re under the water, surrounded by sharks and fish, with the audience waving at you,” said Price. “If you want to inspire kids to become marine biologists, this is the time to do it,” he added, “as we are trying to bring more scientists from Abu Dhabi and the Gulf.” 

Price himself was drawn to marine biology after a ride he took on a theme park’s submarine ride. As a six-year-old, he was fascinated by the colorful fish and mermaids he saw from the vessel’s windows. “But they were all fake,” he said, laughing at the memory. “Very early on, I knew I had a passion for marine biology, so my parents took me to every aquarium that was around.”

Other sea animals viewed during the 20-minute underwater tour included the whiptail and cow-tail rays, grey cheek butterflies, unicorn fish, and zebra sharks—which looked more like leopards. “When they’re born, they are solid white with black stripes, which then grow into spots and a leopard-like print. In fact, Australian leopard is another name for it,” explained the zoological director. “You’ll find so many names for each species, depending on where in the world you are.”

Sea World Abu Dhabi launched visitor rides onboard the SeaSub around a month ago, for a price of Dh1,200—additional to the park’s entry ticket. “No matter how many times I do this, it still brings out the little boy in me,” Price added. This was his fourth ride onboard the Lanternfish. “Brian has done it a hundred times, and you still see a smile on his face!” he concluded.