Giant Oman aquarium coming to Palm Mall in 2018
As Oman continues to diversify its tourism offering, plans have been unveiled for a new aquarium, set to open in the city of Seeb’s Palm Mall in the first quarter of 2018.
The aquarium, which will be 8,000sq m (86,000sq ft) in size, will feature a collection of 30,000 marine creatures across 55 exhibit tanks.
The main ocean tank will be 1.7 million litres and will house fish and sharks found on the coast of Oman. The tank will have a walkthrough tunnel, as well as a large viewing panel in the aquarium’s main gallery. The majority of the aquarium’s exhibits will showcase Oman’s local marine life, while there will also be a number of freshwater exhibits from Asia and Africa.
UK-based specialist aquarium and animal-based attraction consulting firm Tolliday Group International have been appointed to provide consultancy, supervision and specialised management and operational services by Al Jarwani Group – one of Oman’s largest property developers and developer of the wider Palm Mall.
“We are creating a mall that has international appeal and offers our visitors a number of exciting experiences in shopping, family entertainment and leisure,” said Al Jarwani chair, Mahmoud Al Jarwani.
“The aquarium is a key attraction in the mall and will deliver a world-class education and conservation programme.
“We are committed to deliver this unique experience and ensure that everyone who visits us has a fantastic time. Oman has some of the most amazing marine life in the world. Our aim is to ensure that everyone who passes through our aquarium leaves knowing more about the underwater world than when they came in. It will enhance visitors’ awareness and ignite their passion to look after the environment for generations to come.”
The mall housing the aquarium is a US$300 (€283m, £241m) mixed-use project by the Al Jarwani Group, which will also feature hotels, an FEC and a 5,400sq m (58,000sq ft) snow park. The two-level snow park, which is not a skiing or snowboarding facility, is slated to open on the third floor of the new mall in Q3 2017.
Oman aquarium Palm Mall Seeb Tolliday Group International aquarium zoo visitor attraction tourismOmani tourism investments continue with giant waterfront leisure development
Oman government signs deal for multi-million dollar Salalah waterpark development
Next-gen snow and ice amusement park on track for 2017 opening in Oman
Oman expands culture offering with opening of new national museum by Jasper Jacob and Arts Architecture.
Oman to develop Muscat's first world-class waterpark
AI firm Midjourney enters wellness with spa, fitness and body scanning concept
Hot spring wellness community Ameyalli sells residences and breaks ground on resort and spa
OMA completes New Museum transformation with landmark expansion and Oberon restaurant
OMA has completed a major transformation of New York's New Museum, creating a larger cultural campus that combines expanded exhibition spaces with learning, performance, hospitality and public programming. The latest addition, Oberon, extends the visitor experience beyond the gallery, reflecting a growing trend for museums to become all-day destinations.
The New Museum in New York has entered a new chapter with the completion of a major
David Rockwell creates immersive magic destination, The Hand and The Eye
Montana Heritage Center by Cushing Terrell opens after US$107 million investment
Universal launches new theme park model with Kids Resort
'Minor wellness hotels' recorded the strongest growth across top KPIs in 2025, finds RLA Global
Great Barrier Reef attraction set for AU$180 million reinvention
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, has architecture by Leach Rhodes Walker and interiors by Bergman Design House.
Marriott International partners with Fitwel for wellness solutions across its residential portfolio
Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort to unveil new spa in February 2027
Places Leisure is working with Roberts Limbrick to build £60m wellness flagship in Basingstoke
Hoshino Resorts opens Kai Kusatsu as it expands the Kai onsen ryokan brand
Qiddiya and Populous share details of Saudi Arabia’s National Tennis Centre
Disney confirms US$30 billion investment programme as it highlights its economic impact
Until combines multiple disciplines at new Canary Wharf club
Sea Lanes opens following a partnership between The Eden Project and Canary Wharf Group
Bas Smets brings water and wilderness to Vitra
Expo 2030 Riyadh will create a permanent global destination
Luxury resort coming to Hunter Valley will have longevity spa
'Data chocolate', dreams made real and artworks shaped by visitors’ emotions: Refik Anadol’s AI art museum launches in Los Angeles
London Museum reveals 2026 opening date for new Smithfield home
BIG unveils Eve Music Hall as Croatia venue nears completion
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Palazzo di Varignana launches family wellbeing and longevity retreat in Emilia Romagna
Anasa Wellness and Spa debuts at Patmos Aktis as it joins Marriott
Design-led Koru Health Club combines high-performance training with recovery
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the




















