The S.E.A. Aquarium at Resorts World Sentosa has long been a favorite for locals and tourists. But come July 2025, it transforms into the Singapore Oceanarium—a new identity, same sea life wonder, but with upgraded features and fresh reasons to visit. Whether you’re planning a weekend activity or a full-day family outing, the Singapore Oceanarium serves an aquatic experience that sticks.
Here’s a detailed look at 10 reasons the rebranded Singapore Oceanarium earns its spot on your itinerary.
1. The Open Ocean Habitat: An Underwater Vista That Stuns
The highlight for many starts here—a 36-meter wide, 8.3-meter high viewing panel. It’s not just large. It’s overwhelming in scale and serenity. Over 40,000 marine animals swim across this massive window, from sweeping manta rays to slow-gliding giant groupers. The visual immersion replicates the vast, still openness of the deep ocean without stepping into a wetsuit.
2. Shark Seas Tunnel: Surrounded by Predators
One hundred sharks. Twelve species. One tunnel. The Shark Seas exhibit pulls you under without ever getting wet. As you walk through the glass tunnel, hammerheads and sandbar sharks swim above and beside you. The endangered scalloped hammerhead becomes a highlight—rare to spot, unforgettable once seen.
3. Shipwrecked! Habitat: Where Ruins Turn to Life
Sunken vessels aren’t just eerie—they’re biologically rich. The Shipwrecked! section shows how ships lost at sea transform into artificial reefs. Here, visitors meet species like the bowmouth guitarfish and the black-blotched fantail ray, both using the wrecks for shelter and survival. It’s a striking contrast of decay and regeneration.
4. Discovery Pool: Hands-On, Saltwater Style
Kids and adults get tactile at the Discovery Pool. Guided by marine staff, visitors can gently touch sea stars and bamboo sharks. It’s more than touching. It’s about gaining a fresh respect for textures, temperaments, and responses of ocean life—one fingertip at a time.
5. Sea Jellies Gallery: Slow Motion Awe
If serenity could float, it would look like this. The Sea Jellies Gallery pulses with calm energy. Jellyfish of all kinds hover and dance under colored lighting that enhances their transparent bodies. The display doesn’t rush. It holds your gaze, especially under the glow of carefully synced lights and shapes.
6. Junior Ocean Detective Program: Marine Learning in Action
For children aged 7 to 12, the Junior Ocean Detective Program delivers active learning through quests and problem-solving. Kids play marine sleuths, solving mysteries tied to animal traits and ocean behaviors. The educational layer doesn’t feel forced—it blends in naturally with each clue and challenge.
7. Feeding Time Frenzy: Controlled Chaos with Purpose
Time your visit right, and you’ll witness the controlled flurry of feeding sessions. From divers hand-feeding rays in the Open Ocean Habitat to the high-energy meal rush in the shark tanks, the sessions offer dynamic views of feeding behaviors—aggression, grace, and technique all in motion.
8. Quirky Adaptations: Evolution at Its Strangest
Not all ocean creatures look the part. The Quirky Adaptations zone highlights nature’s strangest designs. Visitors meet the elephant fish with its trunk-like nose and the weedy sea dragon that mimics seaweed. It’s an invitation to question what’s normal and what nature does when no one’s watching.
9. Coral Gardens: Color, Movement, and Balance
Corals aren’t just colorful—they’re foundational to marine ecosystems. This exhibit showcases how coral reefs serve as nurseries, food sources, and protection zones. The gardens bloom in texture and tone, offering a canvas of underwater complexity. This section adds a necessary environmental undertone without preaching.
10. Ocean Restaurant: Eat Beside the Deep
A full day among sea life builds an appetite. The Ocean Restaurant provides table service with floor-to-ceiling views of the Open Ocean Habitat. While you dine, rays, fish, and groupers glide by. It’s a slow-motion meal show, best experienced with a full plate and unhurried timing.
Planning Tips for a Full Family Day
- Arrive early to avoid crowd surges, especially on weekends.
- Bring a sweater—air conditioning stays strong throughout the exhibits.
- Use the app for feeding schedules and interactive trail maps.
- Budget extra time for the Discovery Pool and Junior Detective zones—kids rarely want to leave.
- Consider off-peak dining at the Ocean Restaurant for better seating views.
What’s Changing in 2025
The rebranding to Singapore Oceanarium isn’t just cosmetic. The upgraded space will feature more immersive storytelling, expanded conservation-focused programs, and new habitats. It signals a long-term plan to position the space as Southeast Asia’s premier marine education and experience center.
Whether for passive viewing, active learning, or simply soaking in the tranquil beauty of sea life, the Singapore Oceanarium aligns visual drama with purposeful design. Each exhibit, tunnel, and panel brings the ocean a little closer to those on land—quietly, confidently, and with lasting impact.
