Mall of Dilmunia, a family-centre mall concept being developed in Bahrain, has launched the Bahrain Aquarium with an opening ceremony attended by top stakeholders, project partners and senior government officials.

The aquarium is a major highlight for the mall and occupies all four levels, making it the first and largest cylindrical aquarium in a Middle Eastern mall, offering visitors an educational and spectacular experience, a statement from the mall said.

It added that the cylindrical shape provides easy access for visitors across all four floors. Containing approximately 700,000 litres of seawaters, it has a depth of 17 metres and a diameter of seven metres. It is home to more than 2,700 specimens from 85 different species, including rays, fish and sharks.

The Bahrain Aquarium will also offer educational tours and classes, which serve to educate the community about marine life and ecosystems in the waters of the Kingdom, the statement said.

Deputy CEO Rebecca Charlotte Arnold said: “We are thrilled to be launching soon a diverse mix of exhilarating activities for aqua lovers in the kingdom. Mall of Dilmunia is confident that Bahrain Aquarium will give people the opportunity to engage in a range of activities which will be fun, interactive, and educational.”

The new aqua attraction, she stated, will offer an interactive layout on its predominant second floor which is 12 m in diameter, where it is possible for visitors of all ages to feed and pet the fish. For those visitors who are certified divers, diving opportunities will be available, she added.

As part of its opening, Bahrain Aquarium screened a short documentary that told the story of the partners who helped bring this project to the surface, showcased the way in which ideas were developed and the steps that were taken to make this major project a reality.

Being the first and largest cylindrical aquarium in a mall, this project is a landmark in the history of the Bahrain making it one of the most iconic projects around, the statement added.

“Combining the mall’s strategic location, breathtaking views, various amenities and entertainment venues, Bahrain Aquarium is an outstanding addition to Mall of Dilmunia, cementing the mall’s position as being one of the most ambitious and forward-thinking destinations in the kingdom, where a new era of unique indoor activities will soon take shape,” Arnold concluded.