Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island is already home to huge number of attractions.
There’s Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi and CLYMB Abu Dhabi to name a few.
But more theme parks and attractions are set to open on Yas Island in the coming years.
In an interview with sister title Arabian Business the CEO of Miral Asset Management Mohamed Al Zaabi confirmed that Sea World is scheduled to open in 2022.
“Our next attraction will be Sea World. We’re at a very advanced stage of design and we are on track to finish the construction by 2022,” said Al Zaabi.
It was first announced back in 2016 and will be the first SeaWorld outside of the US and the first to open without orcas.
The park’s website is up and running with a series of FAQ’s to let people know what the attraction is all about.
It points out that there will be no orcas at the centre, which will have an ‘R4 Centre’ (Research, Rescue, Rehabilitation and Return Center) focusing on marine life care and conservation.
SeaWorld has been the focus of some controversy, especially since the 2013 film Blackfish, which focused on the orca Tilikum, which was part of shows at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida.
However, since then the park’s bosses said they will end orca shows (they have now stopped in California and were scheduled to end in Florida and Texas in 2019). The park’s breeding programme was ended in 2016.
For more fishy fun. The National Aquarium at new development Al Qana is also due to open later this year.
