On a holiday in Singapore and wondering where to park yourself next after days of exploring mind-boggling touristic places? Well, if you are a marine person and would love to indulge in some visually and sensuously gratifying moments, observing exotic underworld creatures cruising silently through the clear blue waters, you really do not need to go far snorkeling or deep-sea diving to marvel at these sights. Singapore’s S.E.A. Aquarium, located on Sentosa Island, lets you experience all of this, and more, at a small price.
The place is spread across 10 zones, designed to replicate oceans. The terminology of these zones has been thoughtfully done; the Red Sea, the South China Sea, the Strait of Karimata and Java Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Laccadive Sea, the lakes of East Africa, and the Open Ocean.
Besides the stunning coral reef with its myriad colors, the jellyfish, the reef sharks, hundreds of different species of brightly-colored fish flitting playfully to and fro, the loveable dolphins, and the stingray gliding effortlessly in front of you and just as curious about you as you are about it, the Aquarium is home to many other endangered ones like the Hammerhead Sharks, the Reef Manta Ray, Giant Crabs, and Giant Moray Eel. It hosts more than 100,000 marine animals across 800 species, residing happily in real ocean habitats inside the Aquarium. The inhabitants are an incredible collection, brought to Singapore from all across the world. The Aquarium offers magnificent views from the world’s tallest viewing panels.
It offers fun for all ages, the young and the old alike. The ambiance is nerve-soothing as you get to spend a good couple of hours watching these aquatic animals in action against dimmed interiors and calming music. The trip can be educational too. No wonder, it attracts the largest student population and is a runaway hit with children too!
Singapore’s S.E.A. Aquarium is among the largest in Southeast Asia. Let’s take a look at the Aquarium’s highlights and learn what makes it so special and compelling so that you may organize a tour for yourself, your family, and your friends to see the underwater world at its finest!
Here are Some Highlights
The Shipwreck Habitat — Probably one of the most preferred destinations for photo ops inside the aquarium, the Shipwreck Habitat is the first zone that displays how marine life gradually evolves around shipwrecks. It is a walk-through tunnel that indulges you in immersive experiences as you watch spellbound at the aquatic life on the other side of the viewing panel and against captivating soundscapes and exhilarating light effects that bring the underwater experience fully to life.
Underwater Restaurants — Enjoy scrumptious meals at SouthEast Asia’s only underwater dining outlets. Experience to know what it is like to have the tastiest courses amidst floating Manta Rays, Hammerhead Sharks, Giant Groupers, and feeding divers.
Coral Garden — Unlike the Underwater City which houses live corals, the Coral Garden is a cylindrical structure that is home to stunning, vibrant artificial coral reefs with over 5000 fishes across 100 different species. Fish and live corals cannot coexist as the former would eat the latter. Explore more about them at the exhibit.
Open Ocean Habitat — This is the USP of the Aquarium and remains unrivaled in the world. It houses nearly 130 species of sea creatures inside 18 million liters of water. It is both massive and magical. The viewing panel alone weighs approximately 250,000 kg and is 8.3 meters tall.
Underwater City — Interestingly, and contrary to the popular belief, corals are underwater animals ( and not plants) that are close relatives of sea jellies. The newly revamped Underwater City is full of live hard and soft corals, offering a rare spectacle.
Apex Predators of The Sea — AKA the Shark Seas. This is where you get to witness approximately 70 of these deadly creatures of 12 different varieties. As you walk into the exhibit, you learn more about these largely misunderstood and undervalued creatures that help to balance the ecosystem underwater.
VIP Tour — You can dodge the crowd if you have availed of the VIP pass. Be prepared to be treated special on this 2-3 hour-long guided private tour of the Aquarium. You will also have back-of-house access, which will allow you to get closer to the animals and study them and their habitats more intently. However, the VIP tour is reserved for the early hours, even before the Aquarium formally opens to the public. Enjoy the tour amidst tranquility and calmness.
Ocean Dreams — This is a one-of-a-kind experience where visitors are allowed to stay overnight to catch a special 90-minute guided tour, and includes learning sessions, storytelling, and games by marine experts. Imagine the beauty and romance in falling asleep near the swimming fish!
The Dolphin Panel — Spend some significant time interacting and clicking pictures with the most adorable and intelligent mammal of the ocean world. Both children and adults love to watch them respond lovingly to kind human gestures.
Feeding Sessions — Feeding fishes is prohibited at the Aquarium, except that you are allowed to attend interactive sessions at the Touch Pool. You get to touch and feel the sea stars from close quarters but under supervision. You must be careful not to hurt them, and be very gentle in your touch.
Info on Timings and Tickets
The S.E.A. Aquarium is open to the public all days of the week between 10 am and 7 pm. However, the timings are subject to change. It is best to check it online before visiting. Payment for tickets can be made online using major credit cards and digital wallets. Note that tickets are non-refundable.
It is also recommended that you purchase your tickets online to avail of attractive discounts, and avoid the huge rush at their ticketing booth. The standard rate is SGD 41 for adults (adult prices apply to children over 13 years). Ticket prices for children between 3-12 years and senior citizens are SGD 30.
Residents can avail of seasonal and annual passes that will make them eligible to visit the Aquarium around the year at a reasonable price. Recommended duration of the visit is 2-3 hours. Try to be there early, preferably during the animal feeding sessions and when they are the most active in the morning hours.
Address & How to Reach
S.E.A. Aquarium is located at 8 Sentosa Gateway, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098269. For queries, you can write to [email protected].
There are different modes that you can adopt to get to the S.E.A. Aquarium in Singapore. The nearest MRT station is the HarbourFront MRT Station. From here, you can either choose to take the monorail service, the cable car service or simply walk down to the Aquarium (which will be a healthier option). The monorail will reach you there in a quick time; it’s fast, easy, and the most popular mode of travel to the Aquarium. It costs SGD 4. Boarding is from VivoCity Station ( to Resorts World Station). Once you alight at the Resorts World Station, take the escalator down and follow the signboard to the Aquarium.
A cable car may not be as fast as the monorail, but you can avail of the service for free. Walking will be the slowest mode of travel to consider, but still, the best as you can get to discover the tranquility and beauty of the place (Singapore) while traveling to the Aquarium. You also get to knock those extra pounds off your waistline that you gained on this holiday trip. It is a 14-minute walk from VivoCity Shopping Mall to the Aquarium through Sentosa Boardwalk.
