(Dubai Dolphinarium, 6 November 2009)
First, thank you for sharing your guess about the previous post/photo showing different raw human reactions. That was taken in Hong Kong Ocean Park while watching the Dolphins and Sea Lions Show in December of last year.
On the other hand, UAE launched its own dolphinarium this year and we had a chance to check it the other weekend. Unlike in Hong Kong Ocean Park wherein the show happens in an open area, you will find inside the Dubai Creek Park a marine-themed building wherein dolphins and sea lions are showcased daily. The voice over and sounds system are generally of surround quality, with laser and spotlights to enhance the viewing pleasure. There are at least 1,200 cinema quality seats. I advise you to take the fourth row backwards as the water splashes frequently reaching up to third row. The pool is 19 meters long and 11 meters wide.
The one-hour show featured three Black Sea Bottlenose dolphins: Senya, Ksyusha and Marfa and four Northern Fur Seals: Ghosha, Max, Fila and Siennia. They danced to Russian and other foreign tunes, made synchronized wacky sounds (as if singing), impressed me with hulahoop, ball catching and other playful activities including the dolphins’ lifting of the trainors/swimmers. I think the dolphins and sea lions in this dolphinarium were more trained. But I consider the show in Hong Kong as more playful as there is more unexpected interaction with the viewers (e.g. sea lions randomly kissing some guests, etc.). Maybe, UAE culture is one of the main considerations for the program’s limitations.
However, I was starstruck when three dolphins were asked to paint. 
And they really painted! They were able to produce a seemingly abstract illustration. It was offered to the audience for bidding. The highest bidder got it at AED 300 (almost PhP4000).
There are also separate sessions dedicated to those who would like to swim (group swimming or private, which is more expensive) with the dolphins.
Note: I’ll try to update this post once I’ve already uploaded the (several) videos that I took.
Dubai Dolphinarium
Tel : +971 (4) 336-9773, Fax : +971 (4) 336-9774
Email : info@dubaidolphinarium.ae
Webiste: http://www.dubaidolphinarium.ae
How to get there
Show timing and ticket prices
Dolphinarium rules/restrictions
Popularity: 5%
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{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
I think HK’s Ocean Park has better shows too. We went to see the dolphin shows in Subic too to compare.
From what I’ve seen featured here, UAE seems to have it all na rin pala, hindi ba?
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a dolphinarium!!! how cool!!!
.-= mai´s last blog ..10 Ways To Protect Your Privacy on Facebook =-.
parang sa subic
. what did the dolphins painted ?
.-= upto6only´s last blog ..The new look of tuna =-.
dolphins!!!!! I love them..
I’d like to swim with them if given the chance. A part of me is afraid though that I might end-up in a pool, swimming with a crazy one and it might suddenly attack me. Paranoid much, I am. =P
.-= cza´s last blog ..The View @ CPK =-.
awww.cute!
.-= maan´s last blog ..on reading. =-.
dolphins that can paint?!? cool!
.-= lantaw´s last blog ..taal: basilica of st. martin de tours =-.
i’ve watched a dolhin show once, and i was truly entertained, amazing how they can do those things ano?
LOL pinagkitaan pa yun painting made by the dolphins. It looks like something a toddler concocted by accident.
It’s so grand that there is a dolphinarium na in Dubai! Why didn’t they put this up much earlier when I was still living there?!! I love dolphins!
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yay! parang hk ocean park. ang mahal naman ng painting nila hehe ;P
i agree, that painting is expensive.
.-= kayni´s last blog ..Stuff I Didn’t Post (In Bullets) =-.
yay! dolphins na marunong magpaint? ang cool. kaya lang ang mahal naman ng benta nila. hehehe
.-= eds´s last blog ..Quick note! =-.
Yay, dolphins, my kids will love it here!
ang saya naman nito. pinakamatalino talaga next to human ang dolphins.
.-= lawstude´s last blog ..Manila : Reality Bites!!! =-.
Ang Kyut naman!
.-= aLine´s last blog ..Katy Perry Rocks for Relief =-.
oh wow! truth is, i really want to ride one or at least hold on to its fin while it’s swimming fast.
.-= dong ho´s last blog ..the asian geographic contest =-.
wow ang cool naman niyan! di bale makakakita din ako ng tunay na ganiyan LOL parang tongue twister yung dolphinarium. tnry ko pang ipronounce ng mabilis LOL
.-= PM´s last blog ..Riding A Banana Split Float =-.
ang cute. I wanted to touch their shiny skin