Singapore's underwater scene is about to get a serious upgrade. Come 24 July 2025, visitors to Sentosa will discover that the S.E.A. Aquarium has undergone a big transformation – emerging as Singapore Oceanarium, a world-class ocean institute that's making some rather ambitious promises about changing how we think about our blue planet.
"This transformation from S.E.A. Aquarium to a purpose-driven institute has been years in the making. We are dedicated to inspiring a new generation of ocean stewards by taking ocean education and interactive storytelling to the next level," added Lam Xue Ying, vice president of Singapore Oceanarium.
Out with the old, in with the Oceanic
So what's the difference between the old S.E.A. Aquarium and this shiny new Singapore Oceanarium?
Ocean Wonders features one of the world’s largest kreisel tanks, housing thousands of moon jellies that pulse under immersive lighting and 360-degree viewing angles. Photo Credit: Travel Weekly Asia/Cheryl Teo
Think of it as going from a pleasant pond to the Pacific Ocean. The new attraction has been built upon the existing S.E.A. Aquarium site but is now three times larger, featuring 22 purposefully designed zones that take visitors on an epic journey through space and time – from prehistoric oceans to the deepest trenches of today.
Singapore Oceanarium represents a bold transformation into a world-class ocean institute that inspires deeper knowledge, love and action for our oceans. It's not just about looking at pretty fish anymore; this is marine education with a mission.
A journey through time and tide
The oceanarium's 22 zones read like a marine adventure novel. Start your journey in Drop of Water, where you'll gaze up at a suspended dome simulating a single drop, with magnified plankton dancing in immersive projection – because sometimes the smallest things make the biggest impact.
Ocean Wonders houses one of the world's largest moon jelly Kreisel habitats, where thousands of pulsating moon jellies create a mesmerising underwater ballet.
Ancient Waters showcases extinct marine predators like Dunkleosteus through animatronic models. Photo Credit: Travel Weekly Asia/Cheryl Teo
For those who prefer their marine life with a prehistoric twist, Ancient Waters brings the past roaring back to life with life-sized animatronics of creatures like Dunkleosteus – imagine a shark crossed with a tank.
Meanwhile, Singapore's Coast celebrates local biodiversity with interactive mangrove landscapes where archerfish and mudskippers steal the show.
The crown jewel: Open ocean
The pièce de résistance is the Open Ocean zone, featuring an awe-inspiring 36-metre-wide viewing panel – one of the largest in the region.
This 18-million-litre habitat is home to over 40,000 marine animals, including reef manta rays and zebra shark. It's the kind of view that makes visitors forget they're not actually underwater.
More than just fish tales
What sets Singapore Oceanarium apart is its commitment to conservation storytelling. The Hallway of Hope serves as an emotional finale, spotlighting successful marine protection stories and featuring a digital pledge wall where visitors can make conservation commitments.
Singapore Oceanarium showcases the effects of climate change with interactive exhibits. Photo Credit: Travel Weekly Asia/Cheryl Teo
"We have created not just a destination, but a catalyst for change, a place where curiosity transforms into knowledge, and knowledge into real action," said Tan Hee Teck, CEO of Resorts World Sentosa.
From the Whale Fall and Sea Mount experience that recreates how a whale's death creates an entire ecosystem, to the Spirit of Exploration zone featuring a ninth-century Arabian dhow replica, every corner tells a story designed to transform wonder into action.
The attraction doesn't stop at entertainment. Adjacent to the oceanarium, the Research and Learning Centre supports marine research and education with immersive learning labs and collaborative workspaces.
Ticket prices for Singapore Oceanarium
Singapore’s Coast zone features a touch pool where skunk cleaner shrimp instinctively feed on visitors’ dead skin, demonstrating symbiotic marine behavior. Photo Credit: Travel Weekly Asia/Cheryl Teo
Ticket prices:
Adults: From S$50 (US$37)
Children (3-12): From S$42 (US$31)
Seniors (60+): From S$42 (US$31)
Singapore Residents: Adults from S$42 (US$31), Children/Seniors from S$35 (US$26)
Operating hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (last admission 6:00 PM)