Latest news with #OceanWonders
Business Times
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Times
Dive into the ocean's story at Singapore Oceanarium in RWS
[SINGAPORE] The Singapore Oceanarium at Resorts World Sentosa doesn't just take you into the ocean's depths. It pulls you through 500 million years of marine history, from prehistoric predators to tomorrow's fragile coral reefs. Spread over 22 themed zones and three times the size of its predecessor (SEA Aquarium), the new oceanarium is designed less like an aquarium and more like a time machine. It's one of few marine attractions in the world that doesn't just display the ocean's biodiversity – it shows you the past, present and future, in an immersive presentation. The coral reef exhibits are a kaleidoscope of colours. PHOTO: YEN MENG JIIN, BT The journey begins in the world's earliest chapters. Creatures long vanished from Earth – such as the jaw-snapping dunkleosteus and the terrifying xiphactinus – rear their prehistoric heads through life-sized animatronics, towering replicas and augmented reality. Alongside them, ancient survivors such as the horseshoe crab and Australian lungfish live in real tanks, having outlasted the Ice Age and even the dinosaurs. The subsequent zones show the ocean as we know it today. In one called Singapore's Coast, visitors are transported to the island's mangrove shores, where the archerfish and barred mudskipper dart between tangled underwater roots. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up A re-creation of Singapore's waters shows how they teem with life. PHOTO: YEN MENG JIIN, BT In Coral Gardens, reef fish shimmer like confetti. In Ocean Wonders, moon jellies float in a 6.8 m kreisel tank, mesmerising the viewer with their gentle undulations. In Open Ocean, the star attraction, a 36 m wide viewing panel allows one to peer into a massive 18 million litre habitat where manta rays, zebra sharks and spotted eagle rays glide by slowly and majestically. But the oceanarium doesn't stop at spectacle and wonder. In an unexpected pivot, it dives into the urgency of protecting our oceans before it's too late. Jellyfish perform their hypnotic, pulsing waltz. PHOTO: YEN MENG JIIN, BT The Open Ocean Currents zone uses art and projection mapping to track the journey of a single plastic bottle drifting across the seas. In Ocean's Future, you step into an animated ice shelf that's fracturing and falling all around you, as global warming destroys one of Earth's last great frontiers. Other installations present haunting visions of what the ocean could become if we don't act. Predators galore in this section highlighting prehistoric sea creatures. PHOTO: YEN MENG JIIN, BT Behind all this is the beating heart of the oceanarium: the Research and Learning Centre. The first of its kind in Asia to be certified Green Mark Platinum Zero Energy, the facility runs on 100 per cent solar power and houses coral propagation labs, jellyfish nurseries, and conservation efforts for critically endangered species such as the bowmouth guitarfish and the sunflower sea star. The oceanarium showcases critically endangered creatures such as the axolotl (ambystoma mexicanum), a paedomorphic salamander. PHOTO: YEN MENG JIIN, BT It's not just a place for scientists – it's open to the public too, through workshops, behind-the-scenes tours, and hands-on experiences that combine education with real-world conservation. Families can dig for real fossils in day programmes, design custom fish on interactive screens, or get up close with Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins in guided spotlight tours. Fancy falling asleep to this view? Singapore Oceanarium invites you to glamp overnight. PHOTO: YEN MENG JIIN, BT For those chasing a more exclusive thrill, try the Ocean Dreams experience. It's a sleepover inside the oceanarium, where guests spend the night in glamping tents pitched right in front of a giant viewing panel. Dinner is curated. The lights are soft. And as the sea creatures drift by, so do your thoughts. This isn't just an aquarium. It's a call to care – for the sea, its future, and our place in it. Tickets start at S$50 for adults and S$39 for children or senior citizens. For Singapore residents, tickets start at S$42 and S$35, respectively. The attraction will be open daily from 10 am to 7 pm from Jul 24.
Business Times
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Times
The ocean has a story; Singapore Oceanarium tells it all
[SINGAPORE] The Singapore Oceanarium at Resorts World Sentosa doesn't just take you into the ocean's depths. It pulls you through 500 million years of marine history, from prehistoric predators to tomorrow's fragile coral reefs. Spread over 22 themed zones and three times the size of its predecessor (SEA Aquarium), the new oceanarium is designed less like an aquarium and more like a time machine. It's one of few marine attractions in the world that doesn't just display the ocean's biodiversity – it shows you the past, present and future, in an immersive presentation. The coral reef exhibits are a kaleidoscope of colours. PHOTO: YEN MENG JIIN, BT The journey begins in the world's earliest chapters. Creatures long vanished from Earth – such as the jaw-snapping dunkleosteus and the terrifying xiphactinus – rear their prehistoric heads through life-sized animatronics, towering replicas and augmented reality. Alongside them, ancient survivors such as the horseshoe crab and Australian lungfish live in real tanks, having outlasted the Ice Age and even the dinosaurs. The subsequent zones show the ocean as we know it today. In one called Singapore's Coast, visitors are transported to the island's mangrove shores, where the archerfish and barred mudskipper dart between tangled underwater roots. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up A re-creation of Singapore's waters shows how they teem with life. PHOTO: YEN MENG JIIN, BT In Coral Gardens, reef fish shimmer like confetti. In Ocean Wonders, moon jellies float in a 6.8 m kreisel tank, mesmerising the viewer with their gentle undulations. In Open Ocean, the star attraction, a 36 m wide viewing panel allows one to peer into a massive 18 million litre habitat where manta rays, zebra sharks and spotted eagle rays glide by slowly and majestically. But the oceanarium doesn't stop at spectacle and wonder. In an unexpected pivot, it dives into the urgency of protecting our oceans before it's too late. Jellyfish perform their hypnotic, pulsing waltz. PHOTO: YEN MENG JIIN, BT The Open Ocean Currents zone uses art and projection mapping to track the journey of a single plastic bottle drifting across the seas. In Ocean's Future, you step into an animated ice shelf that's fracturing and falling all around you, as global warming destroys one of Earth's last great frontiers. Other installations present haunting visions of what the ocean could become if we don't act. Predators galore in this section highlighting prehistoric sea creatures. PHOTO: YEN MENG JIIN, BT Behind all this is the beating heart of the oceanarium: the Research and Learning Centre. The first of its kind in Asia to be certified Green Mark Platinum Zero Energy, the facility runs on 100 per cent solar power and houses coral propagation labs, jellyfish nurseries, and conservation efforts for critically endangered species such as the bowmouth guitarfish and the sunflower sea star. The oceanarium showcases critically endangered creatures such as the axolotl (ambystoma mexicanum), a paedomorphic salamander. PHOTO: YEN MENG JIIN, BT It's not just a place for scientists – it's open to the public too, through workshops, behind-the-scenes tours, and hands-on experiences that combine education with real-world conservation. Families can dig for real fossils in day programmes, design custom fish on interactive screens, or get up close with Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins in guided spotlight tours. Fancy falling asleep to this view? Singapore Oceanarium invites you to glamp overnight. PHOTO: YEN MENG JIIN, BT For those chasing a more exclusive thrill, try the Ocean Dreams experience. It's a sleepover inside the oceanarium, where guests spend the night in glamping tents pitched right in front of a giant viewing panel. Dinner is curated. The lights are soft. And as the sea creatures drift by, so do your thoughts. This isn't just an aquarium. It's a call to care – for the sea, its future, and our place in it. Tickets start at S$50 for adults and S$39 for children or senior citizens. For Singapore residents, tickets start at S$42 and S$35, respectively. The attraction will be open daily from 10 am to 7 pm from Jul 24.
Time Out
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Singapore Oceanarium opens July 24 with 22 immersive zones – here's what we loved
You've heard the news: the former S.E.A. Aquarium has been revamped and extended, and will reopen soon as the Singaporean Oceanarium – three times bigger (and we reckon, better). Opening on July 24, the new attraction features 22 immersive zones, life-sized animatronics, interactive exhibits, and digital projections working together to bring the story of the ocean and its habitats to life. There's a clearer narrative now as you journey through the oceanarium, starting with a single drop of water and prehistoric marine creatures, progressing through various ocean habitats to the future of our oceans. Our top tip: set aside at least three hours to explore the Singapore Oceanarium – even more if you're the sort who likes to read every panel and try every activity. And we certainly lost some time zoning out in front of the 36-metre panel full of sharks, rays, and fish in the Open Ocean zone. However, if you're short on time, here are our top picks from the Singapore Oceanarium. Ocean Wonders The second zone in the Singapore Oceanarium is simply mesmerising. The darkened room is filled with sea jelly exhibits – Don't miss the fried egg sea jelly (it looks exactly like what its name suggests) and the graceful Pacific sea nettle. But the mother of them all is the 6.8 metre diameter kriesel tank, one of the world's largest. The moon-like circular panel houses thousands of moon jellies, drifting with a gentle current under ever-changing lights. Ancient Waters Next is Ancient Waters, a zone dedicated to prehistoric sea creatures. Upon entering the zone, you're immediately greeted by a suspended, life-sized replica of a Dunkleosteus, an extinct fish that lived more than 380 million years ago. More replicas and fossils of ancient marine animals are dotted about the zone – you can also see animals that have survived the test of time, such as the American paddlefish, a queer-looking fish with a broad, flat snout. Singapore's Coast The kids will love this zone. Dedicated to the mangrove habitats you find in Singapore, Singapore's Coast is dominated by a large seagrass pool where you can observe archerfish prancing around, spotted seahorses wrapped around the seagrass roots, as well as sea stars and crabs on the rocks or in the sand. If you like to get hands-on, go to the rock pool at the back, where you can dip your hands in a shallow pool – little skunk cleaner shrimp will dart over immediately to feed on your dead skin, and don't be surprised if it tickles. Coral Gardens The most colourful zone in Singapore Oceanarium, Coral Gardens is the spot to learn about coral reefs and their invaluable role in sustaining ocean ecosystems. The highlight is a towering live coral display, with moray eels and giant clams tucked in the layers of the reef. Smaller tanks show off technicolour torch coral, magnificent sea anemone, and flashy fish like the Achilles tang and mandarinfish. Open Ocean Here's where you can get your money shot with the iconic 36m-wide viewing panel, teeming with approximately 120 species of marine animals. Spot sharks and rays – the most recognisable being the three manta rays, Mako, Manja, and Mika. Whale Fall and Seamount Zone 15 onwards takes you into the deep ocean, where you can discover bottom-dwelling sea creatures and artificial habitats (think sunken ships). Not to be missed is zone 19, Whale Fall and Seamount, where you'll encounter an almost life-sized replica of a whale fall skeleton. Whale falls refer to the sinking and decomposition of whale carcasses – rather morbid, but actually the starting point for the flourishing of life in the deep sea. You can walk under the ribs of the skeleton, before peering into dark tanks showcasing curious creatures like the Australian ghostshark and Japanese isopod. What else is there to see and do in the Singapore Oceanarium? Your journey through the Singapore Oceanarium ends on a hopeful note, with uplifting success stories about ocean conservation and protection in the Hallway of Hope – so don't miss that. Those with kids might also want to fork out some money ($10 for adults and $6 for kids) for 20 minutes on the bouncy nets at Pier Adventure in the Spirit of Exploration zone (zone 5). Tip: it's free until August 31 if you purchase your entry ticket via the Singapore Oceanarium app launching on July 23. How much do Singapore Oceanarium tickets cost? Tickets are priced like so for adults (ages 13-59), children (ages 4-12), and seniors (ages 60 and above): Non-peak hours are on weekdays, while peak hours are on weekends, public holidays, and the full months of June and December. Where can I buy tickets to the Singapore Oceanarium? Book now on the Singapore Oceanarium website. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Singapore (@timeoutsg) READ MORE Books Kinokuniya opens new outlet at Raffles City on July 18, 2025
South China Morning Post
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Singapore's mega-aquarium readies to reopen 3 times larger
A major attraction is set to return to the glittering city state of Singapore in triple the size this summer: the Singapore Oceanarium, a mega-aquarium located on the offshore island of Sentosa. Over the past three months, the former SEA Aquarium – already one of the largest in the world with more than 100,000 marine creatures – has been completely redesigned. The new facility is now three times larger and offers immersive experiences across 22 different zones, according to the operator Resorts World Sentosa. The opening date for the new Oceanarium is July 23. Among the themed zones are 'Ocean Wonders', featuring thousands of glowing blue moon jellyfish, and 'Singapore's Coast', which showcases mangrove landscapes and interactive habitats celebrating local biodiversity. A visitors takes pictures through a viewing panel at the old SEA aquarium on Sentosa Island. Photo: AFP In the 'Ancient Waters' section, visitors can marvel at life-size prehistoric animals and living fossils that trace evolution over time.
AsiaOne
26-05-2025
- AsiaOne
Singapore Oceanarium, formerly S.E.A. Aquarium, to open on July 23 with expanded experiences and research centre
The former S.E.A. Aquarium located at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) is coming back after nearly three months of closure for renovation works — this time as the new Singapore Oceanarium. Slated to open to the public on July 23, the new attraction will be three times larger than its predecessor — with 22 immersive experience zones allowing guests to explore marine life across various depths and time, announced RWS on Monday (May 26). Some examples include Ocean Wonders — a thematic zone that houses thousands of moon jellies (a type of jellyfish) and Singapore's Coast — a mangrove-inspired zone with interactive habitats that highlight our nation's local biodiversity. Over at Ancient Waters and Conquering Land, visitors can explore the evolution of some of these marine creatures with life-sized prehistoric animals and living fossils. Another highlight is Open Ocean — a 36m-wide viewing panel where Reef Manta Rays and Zebra Sharks swim freely among other marine life. As for F&B and retail options, there's Explorer's Nook — a themed cafe with light bites, pastries and trinkets inspired by aquatic life, as well as Singapore Oceanarium Store — where shoppers can find a selection of ocean-inspired apparel, books and other souvenirs created by sustainable brands. There will also be seasonal pop-ups and capsule collections happening at the store. Not just an attraction In addition to being a recreational attraction, Singapore Oceanarium is also an institute dedicated to the education, research and conservation of underwater life — being accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and holding membership in the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and Southeast Asian Zoo and Aquarium Association. The institute has also partnered with the National University of Singapore (NUS) for a five-year applied research collaboration and Nanyang Technological University's (NTU) Earth Observatory of Singapore for a two-year research collaboration on climate resilience and marine conservation. In fact, there's even a Research and Learning Centre located right next to the oceanarium. Some facilities at the centre include immersive learning labs, collaborative workspaces, seminar rooms and a rooftop event space for scientists and researchers to conduct research and drive marine science outreach. According to Lam Xue Ying, vice president of the Singapore Oceanarium, the transition from the former S.E.A. Aquarium to the new oceanarium-cum-institute has been "years in the making". She said: "We are dedicated to inspiring a new generation of ocean stewards by taking ocean education and interactive storytelling to the next level, through naturalistic habitats and immersive technology. "Supported by academic partnerships, international accreditations and memberships, as well as our new Research and Learning Centre, we're furthering our commitment to marine conservation, research and education." According to RWS, details on ticket prices and programmes for Singapore Oceanarium will be released soon. [[nid:718022]]
